News Summary
Tennessee football strengthens its roster by securing a commitment from defensive lineman Josh Schell, who previously played at Grand Valley State University. After receiving an offer from Tennessee, Schell decided to join the Volunteers, marking a significant step up in competition as he enters the SEC. With two years of eligibility remaining, Schell aims to contribute to Tennessee’s defensive line in the upcoming seasons. His transition highlights Tennessee’s momentum in recruiting talented athletes as they build towards future success.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee football has strengthened its roster by securing a commitment from defensive lineman Josh Schell, who previously played at Grand Valley State University (GVSU), a Division II school in Michigan. Schell announced his decision to join the Volunteers after receiving an offer from the team on April 27, 2023, following a visit to Knoxville.
Before choosing Tennessee, Schell attracted attention from several other schools, including Coastal Carolina, Central Florida, Georgia State, James Madison, New Mexico State, Charlotte, Bowling Green, Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU), Arkansas State, Florida Atlantic, New Mexico, Miami (Ohio), and Buffalo. Despite numerous offers, Tennessee stood out as Schell’s only Power Five opportunity.
The transfer portal has been a significant part of college football, and Schell officially entered on April 17, 2023. He brings with him a promising record, having played 13 games in the 2024 season at GVSU where he recorded 35 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, and 2 sacks. In addition, he defended six passes and forced or recovered a fumble during the same season. Before that, in 2023, he played in eight games where he accumulated 11 tackles and defended one pass.
In terms of eligibility, Schell has two years remaining to compete at the collegiate level. His journey at Grand Valley State included a redshirt year in 2022, primarily due to his commitments to the baseball team. During that year, he participated in the baseball program, where he appeared in 13 games as a pitcher, achieving a 6.50 earned run average (ERA) and a 1-0 record. He continued to contribute to the baseball team in 2025, pitching four innings with a perfect game and hitting .315 with eight home runs across 34 starts.
Originally from Mount Pleasant, Michigan, Schell was a two-star recruit out of high school before initially committing to Army. His transition to Tennessee marks a significant step up in competition as he joins an SEC program focused on enhancing its defensive lineup.
Tennessee football’s recruitment strategy has garnered momentum recently. The Vols have secured commitments from several recruits for the 2026 class, including notable names such as four-star athlete Legend Bey, in-state athlete Zaydyn Anderson, and three-star defensive lineman Darryl Rivers. Standing at 6-foot-5 and weighing 270 pounds, Rivers chose Tennessee over offers from schools like Mississippi State and Georgia Tech. With the addition of Schell, Tennessee’s commitment list for the 2026 class has now reached 17, featuring high-profile prospects such as five-star quarterback Faizon Brandon and four-star tight end Carson Sneed.
The Vols are clearly focused on building a solid foundation for future seasons while addressing immediate needs on the roster. By integrating talented athletes like Josh Schell into their program, Tennessee aims to enhance its competitive edge in the upcoming college football seasons.
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Additional Resources
- Knox News: Darryl Rivers Commits to Tennessee
- Rocky Top Insider: Tennessee Football Bolsters Defensive Line
- MSN: 2026 Georgia Defensive Lineman Commits to Tennessee
- Rocky Top Talk: 2025 Tennessee Football Preview
- Google Search: Tennessee Football Recruiting
Author: STAFF HERE GRANDRAPIDS WRITER
GRAND RAPIDS STAFF WRITER The GRAND RAPIDS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREGrandRapids.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Grand Rapids, Kent County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as ArtPrize, Festival of the Arts, and World of Winter. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce and Grand Rapids Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in furniture, healthcare, and technology that power the local economy such as Steelcase, Spectrum Health, and Meijer. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREDetroitMI.com, HERENorthville.com, HERENovi.com, and HEREPlymouth.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Michigan's dynamic landscape.
