Tennessee’s Josh Heupel Bolsters D-Line With Transfer Portal Streak, Lands Josh Schell After Quarterback Signings

Head coach Josh Heupel is known for his smart recruiting, and he’s just added another key piece to his team. Josh Schell, a standout defensive lineman from Grand Valley State, is officially joining the Vols.

Following key quarterback signings like Joey Aguilar from UCLA and Jake Merklinger, this latest acquisition reflects Tennessee’s commitment to building a balanced and powerful lineup for the 2025 season. What makes Schell’s journey to Knoxville so compelling? Coming from a smaller school, he fought hard to get noticed. Now, he’s heading to one of the biggest stages in college football. His grit and determination show what it takes to reach the next level.

Tennessee Lands Grand Valley DL Josh Schell

The Tennessee Volunteers just shocked the college football world by adding defensive lineman Josh Schell from Grand Valley State. However, the biggest surprise came from Schell himself. He initially planned to visit more schools, but after returning home to Michigan, he couldn’t stop thinking about the program.

So, he signed with the Vols on Tuesday and shared the story behind his decision with Volquest.

Schell made his mark at Grand Valley State with 11 tackles, a quarterback hurry, and a pass breakup during the 2023 season. Known for his athleticism, he’s also a multi-sport athlete who played baseball at Grand Valley, showing off his versatility.

Coming out of high school, Heupel’s new recruit was a two-star prospect and ranked as the 398th-best defensive lineman in the country. But his performance at Grand Valley impressed the coaching staff. After an official visit earlier this month, he received an offer and committed to the Volunteers.

The Michigan native is the first defensive player the Vols have added through the transfer portal this year, signaling a shift in focus toward strengthening the defense. Standing at 6-foot-3 and weighing 290 pounds, Schell can play both defensive tackle and defensive end, making him a versatile asset to the team.

BREAKING: Grand Valley State transfer DL Josh Schell has Committed to Tennessee, he tells @on3sports

The 6’5 275 DL will have 2 years of eligibility lefthttps://t.co/RlUbB6Fk7q pic.twitter.com/OJG2L4OPfu

— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) April 29, 2025

“I think I can play D-End or D-Tackle,” the defensive lineman said. “I think I fit in just fine with everybody here. I’m gonna come in and compete and they want me have a three tech so that’s where I’m gonna come in and show them that I’m just as capable as everybody in that room.”

With two years of eligibility left, he has plenty of time to make an impact in Knoxville.

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He needs to make that impact because Tennessee’s defense was already among the best in the country last season, allowing just 16.1 points and 293.2 total yards per game. So, there’s no room for mistakes. The program is clearly committed to building a competitive team, and with recent additions like the Grand Valley State transfer, this year’s SEC race is shaping up to be exciting.