Former Lady Vols Five-Star Freshman Staying in SEC Through Transfer Portal

Jaida Civil, one of Tennessee's top recruits in 2025, is transferring to Ole Miss to reunite with former teammate Talaysia Cooper.

Apr. 15, 2026 at 2:08pm

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A fractured, cubist-style painting depicting the dynamic movements and energy of a women's basketball game, with sharp geometric shapes and planes in vibrant colors like blue, orange, and purple.Jaida Civil's transfer to Ole Miss reflects the fluidity of rosters in women's college basketball, as players seek new opportunities through the transfer portal.Knoxville Today

Jaida Civil, a former five-star recruit and standout freshman for the Tennessee Lady Volunteers, has announced her commitment to transfer to Ole Miss. Civil was ranked as the No. 13 player in the nation and No. 1 small forward in the 2025 recruiting class, but after one season at Tennessee, she has decided to enter the transfer portal and continue her college basketball career in the SEC with the Ole Miss Rebels.

Why it matters

Civil's decision to transfer within the SEC is notable, as it allows her to stay in a familiar conference and reunite with former Tennessee teammate Talaysia Cooper. The transfer portal has become an increasingly common way for student-athletes to find new opportunities, and Civil's move highlights the fluidity of rosters in women's college basketball.

The details

As a freshman at Tennessee, Civil appeared in 30 games and made 10 starts, averaging 6.4 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game. She shot 41.5% from the field and 28.8% from three-point range. In her announcement on Instagram, Civil expressed gratitude to Tennessee head coach Kim Caldwell and the entire coaching staff for the opportunity they provided her.

  • Jaida Civil announced her intention to enter the transfer portal on April 6, 2026.
  • On April 15, 2026, Civil announced her commitment to transfer to Ole Miss.

The players

Jaida Civil

A former five-star recruit and standout freshman for the Tennessee Lady Volunteers, who has decided to transfer to Ole Miss.

Talaysia Cooper

A former Tennessee teammate of Jaida Civil, who is also transferring to Ole Miss.

Kim Caldwell

The head coach of the Tennessee Lady Volunteers, who recruited and coached Jaida Civil during her freshman season.

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What they’re saying

“To play for one of the best up and coming coaches in the country has been a true blessing. Coach Kim — I want you to know how much I genuinely love and appreciate you. The belief you had in me, the opportunity you gave me as a young woman trying to find her way — it changed my life. I will always carry that with me. Thank you to you and the entire staff for pouring into me and trusting me to be a part of something so meaningful.”

— Jaida Civil

What’s next

Jaida Civil will join the Ole Miss Rebels for the 2026-27 season, where she will reunite with former Tennessee teammate Talaysia Cooper.

The takeaway

Jaida Civil's decision to transfer within the SEC demonstrates the increasing fluidity of rosters in women's college basketball, as players seek new opportunities through the transfer portal. Her move to Ole Miss allows her to stay in a familiar conference and reunite with a former teammate, highlighting the growing trend of student-athletes leveraging the transfer process to find the best fit for their collegiate careers.