Tennessee defensive end Kellen Lindstrom to enter transfer portal

Tennessee Football defensive end Kellen Lindstrom intends to enter the transfer portal, Volquest has confirmed. The second-year defender has seen limited action during his time in Knoxville since signing with the Vols as a member of the 2024 recruiting class.

As a former four-star recruit, Lindstrom saw action in just three games during his freshman season, and he totaled four tackles during the campaign. He went on to redshirt during the season.

During his 2025 freshman redshirt season, Lindstrom again saw limited action for the Vols as he played in just three games. Lindstrom totaled two tackles against New Mexico State in the Vols final non-conference game of the regular season.

Understanding the portal

The transfer portal window is now just one window. The window opens on January 2nd and runs through January 16th.

Players don’t have to pick a school they are going to during those specific dates but those are the span of dates on when a player can enter the portal.

Those dates don’t apply to graduate transfers who can enter the portal whenever they wish. Also, if there’s a head coaching change, their players are granted an immediate 30-day window during which they can enter the portal.

Of note, any team playing in a game after Dec 28 (playoffs or regular bowl) gets a five-day window once season ends for those player to enter portal.

Players who enter the portal in the winter window are trying to be somewhere for the spring semester. 

For Tennessee the spring semester starts on January 21 which is late compared to many schools around the country. Tennessee a year ago started a winter mini-term class that runs the first three weeks of January.