BREAKING: Tennessee LHP Andrew Behnke Commits to Georgia from NCAA Transfer Portal in Major SEC Shake-Up…
ATHENS, GEORGIA — JULY 1, 2025
In one of the most surprising and impactful developments of the 2025 NCAA baseball offseason, left-handed pitcher Andrew Behnke, formerly of the Tennessee Volunteers, has officially committed to join the University of Georgia Bulldogs out of the NCAA transfer portal. The announcement comes after weeks of intense speculation regarding Behnke’s future and marks a significant coup for Georgia’s rising program under head coach Wes Johnson.
Behnke’s decision to leave Tennessee stunned much of the college baseball world. The 6’2″, 205-pound left-hander was widely regarded as a foundational piece of Tennessee’s bullpen and had recently been tabbed as a breakout candidate for the upcoming season. His transfer comes just months after the Vols’ unexpected exit in the Super Regionals and amidst a coaching transition in Knoxville that may have influenced his choice.
Behnke’s move to a direct SEC rival instantly adds fuel to an already heated Tennessee–Georgia rivalry, while elevating the Bulldogs’ hopes of competing for a spot in the 2026 College World Series.
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From Rocky Top to Between the Hedges
Behnke’s development at Tennessee has been nothing short of remarkable. After redshirting his freshman year, he burst onto the scene in 2024, pitching 38.2 innings out of the bullpen and posting a 2.57 ERA with 54 strikeouts and only 11 walks. He became one of the Vols’ most reliable arms, particularly in high-leverage situations, earning the trust of then-head coach Tony Vitello and pitching coach Frank Anderson.
Following Vitello’s departure to take a managerial position in the MLB and the subsequent promotion of Josh Elander to head coach, Behnke entered the transfer portal quietly. While initial reactions assumed he might be looking for a starting role elsewhere, very few insiders predicted that Georgia would become his next home.
But according to Behnke, it was Georgia’s vision — and a very personal recruiting pitch from Coach Wes Johnson — that sealed the deal.
> “Coach Johnson made it clear that I wouldn’t just be filling a spot,” said Behnke in his commitment announcement. “He sees me as a core piece of Georgia’s push toward Omaha, and that really meant something to me. This was a baseball decision, a development decision, and a chance to be part of something special.”
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What Georgia Gains in Andrew Behnke
Georgia’s pitching staff has been steadily improving under Wes Johnson, a former MLB pitching coach known for his ability to refine mechanics and elevate arm talent. With Behnke in the mix, the Bulldogs now have a weapon that can function as either a shutdown reliever or transition into a weekend starter.
Behnke’s fastball consistently sits at 93–95 mph, with late movement that causes problems for both righties and lefties. His devastating slider — which averages over 2,600 rpm — has been described as “virtually unhittable” by opposing SEC hitters. He also mixes in a changeup that he has continued to develop, making him a legitimate three-pitch pitcher with professional upside.
Statistically, he held opposing hitters to a .198 batting average last season and had an exceptional WHIP of 0.96, putting him among the top bullpen arms in the SEC.
For Georgia, Behnke is expected to step into a major role immediately, potentially as a Friday or Saturday starter, depending on how fall practices unfold. Either way, his presence adds veteran depth and electric stuff to a pitching rotation that struggled with consistency in 2025.
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Tennessee’s Loss, Georgia’s Gain
While Behnke’s departure is a setback for Tennessee, sources indicate that it was not a sudden decision. The Vols’ pitching depth remains solid, and new arms like transfer Landon Mack (from Rutgers) and rising sophomore Kole Kendrick offer optimism. However, losing a homegrown, SEC-tested lefty like Behnke to a direct rival hurts — both competitively and emotionally.
Tennessee fans expressed a mix of disappointment and confusion on social media following the announcement.
> “Hate to see him go, especially to Georgia,” one fan wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “He was one of our most dependable arms. But we wish him luck — except when he’s pitching against us.”
Behnke, for his part, addressed Tennessee fans directly in a heartfelt farewell:
> “Tennessee gave me everything. I’ll always be thankful for the coaches, my teammates, and the fans who believed in me. I’ve grown so much in Knoxville — as a person and a pitcher. But it’s time for a new challenge, and I’m excited for what’s ahead in Athens.”
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Georgia’s Rising Ambitions
The Bulldogs are not hiding their ambitions. After a modest showing in the 2025 season, which saw them eliminated in the regionals, Coach Wes Johnson has been aggressive in the transfer portal — and Behnke is just the latest in a series of big-name additions.
Already, Georgia has secured commitments from:
Cade Young, a high-profile shortstop from Arizona State
Miguel Ramos, a power-hitting outfielder from TCU
Tyson Blake, a sophomore catcher from Southern Miss
With Behnke anchoring the rotation and experienced hitters joining the lineup, Georgia is now projected by many to be a top-15 team in preseason polls.
“We’re not here to just make regionals,” Johnson said at a press conference. “We’re building something real. Andrew Behnke is a key piece of that puzzle.”
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The SEC Arms Race Intensifies
Behnke’s transfer is the latest chapter in what has become an SEC-wide arms race in college baseball. With the expanded use of NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) deals and increased movement via the transfer portal, elite players now have the leverage to move between programs with fewer restrictions.
As more star athletes seek better fits — both developmentally and financially — intra-conference transfers like Behnke’s are becoming the new norm. However, they still carry emotional and competitive weight, especially when they involve rivals like Tennessee and Georgia.
Expect Behnke’s first appearance against his former team in the spring of 2026 to be one of the most anticipated matchups of the SEC season.
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Final Thoughts: A Bold Move with Big Implications
Andrew Behnke’s decision to leave Tennessee for Georgia may be polarizing, but it is undeniably bold. It speaks to the fluidity of today’s college sports environment and the strategic decisions athletes must make to position themselves for success at the collegiate and professional levels.
For Georgia, it’s a massive step forward — one that could redefine the ceiling of the program heading into 2026. For Tennessee, it’s a chance to regroup, reload, and perhaps circle the Georgia series on their calendar with a little more fire than usual.
What remains certain is this: Andrew Behnke is no longer just a name to watch — he’s now a central figure in the SEC’s evolving storyline. And come next spring, all eyes will be on Athens to see if the talented left-hander can lead the Bulldogs to new heights.
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Stay with us for continued coverage on SEC baseball transfers, preseason rankings, and the evolving rosters shaping the 2026 College World Series picture.
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