![Penn State Nittany Lions defensive tackle Xavier Gilliam (54)]](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,x_747,y_114,w_2064,h_1161/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/ImagnImages/mmsport/139/01kefzskjpa428yvp04f.jpg "Penn State Nittany Lions defensive tackle Xavier Gilliam (54)]")
The former three-star and 750th-ranked defensive lineman from the Class of 2024, per 247Sports Composite rankings, proved himself as a future star for Penn State football in 2025 as a redshirt freshman. Xavier Gilliam made two starts and played in all 13 games.
Penn State’s latest transfer addition represents D’Anton Lynn’s new D-line philosophy
Following the conclusion of 2025, though, Gilliam entered his name into the Transfer Portal.
On Dec. 31, he announced his intent on doing so, and days into the open window, he was already predicted to be picked up by where defensive coordinator Jim Knowles and co-defensive coordinator Anthony Poindexter moved on to: Tennessee.
Have placed a Crystal Ball pick for Tennessee with Penn State DT transfer Xavier Gilliam.
— Chris Hummer (@chris_hummer) January 7, 2026
Gilliam ranks as the No. 4 DL in the rankings. He posted 15 tackles and 2 TFLs this season. He's also considering Indiana and Notre Dame, among others.https://t.co/GxUqfcIv2O pic.twitter.com/LixBB2NlcU
Defensive lineman Xavier Gilliam projected to transfer to Tennesse with Jim Knowles and Anthony Poindexter
According to 247Sports' Transfer Portal Crystial Ball predictions, Chris Hummer put his projection in for the Volunteers plucking Gilliam out of the portal. Gilliam is the fourth-ranked defensive lineman in the Transfer Portal and ranked No. 37 overall. He's also listed as a four-star transfer.
His top three schools were Tennessee, Indiana, and Notre Dame. The Hoosiers and Fighting Irish would've stung just a bit more than the Volunteers. While it's unconfirmed that Gilliam's next collegiate stop is at Tennessee, it's at least comforting knowing that's more likely than the other two.
Over his 13 games in 2025, Gilliam registered 15 tackles, two tackles for loss, and a half-sack. He only made four appearances as a true freshman, the season he ultimately redshirted.
Losing Gilliam was tough for the Nittany Lions, but since he's not the only player moving on whether that's via the Transfer Portal or NFL Draft, head coach Matt Campbell and defensive coordinator D'Anton Lynn had a clean slate to work with once Jan. 2 rolled around.
Penn State picked up the following defensemen out of the portal since it opened: Utah sophomore defensive lineman Dallas Vakalahi, Colorado freshman edge rusher Alexander McPherson, UCLA defensive lineman Keanu Williams, Iowa State freshman cornerback Hunter Sowell, Iowa State junior safety Jamison Patton, Iowa State redshirt freshman defensive lineman Alijah Carnell, Iowa State junior linebacker Kooper Ebel, Iowa State sophomore linebacker Cael Brezina, Iowa State redshirt senior linebacker Caleb Bacon, and Iowa State sophomore safety Marcus Neal.