​FIU transfer shortstop Mario Trivella has committed to Tennessee, according to On3’s Pete Nakos. Trivella led the Panthers last season with 15 home runs and 50 RBIs. This marks the third collegiate program of his career. He began his journey at the State College of Florida, where he spent two seasons. The Caracas, Venezuela native posted a .315 batting average with 14 doubles, nine homers, and 54 RBIs in 72 games at SCF, which helped him enter the Transfer Portal and eventually land at FIU for the 2026 season.
At FIU, Trivella started 49 games as the Panthers’ everyday shortstop. He hit .287 with eight doubles, 15 home runs, and 50 RBIs, alongside a .580 slugging percentage and a .384 on-base percentage. Now he heads to Tennessee, joining a program entering the second season under Josh Elander.
Elander, who served as Tennessee’s associate head coach before taking over before the 2026 season following Tony Vitello’s surprising departure, led the Volunteers back to the NCAA Tournament in his inaugural year, posting a 38-20 record. Tennessee’s run ended in the Chapel Hill Regional after just two games. Earlier this month, Elander reflected on the Transfer Portal’s impact in an interview with SportsTalk with John Wilkerson and Vince Ferrara on 99.1 The Sports Animal.
“This year, I think [the Transfer Portal] is as crazy as it’s ever been,” Elander said. “I haven’t been able to put my finger on why it changed so much this year, but I think you just have to adapt. That’s what college sports is becoming. We meet with players one-on-one, but it’s a delicate balance, because as the portal opens, it’s the most important time of the year as you’re trying to make your march on Omaha, or during the postseason. You want to kind of limit distractions, all that. So our staff does a good job of connecting with agencies or advisors behind the scenes to get a feel for what’s going on. You can never keep everybody happy. That’s one thing we’ve learned, and at the same time, I think it’s really turned out well with the way our staff has managed the pluses and minuses. We’re really excited about how the roster is coming together for next year.”
For those tracking player movement, On3’s Transfer Portal wire is a reliable resource. The site’s Transfer Portal Instagram and Twitter accounts offer timely updates on the latest moves. As Trivella joins Tennessee, the Volunteers add depth to a roster that already features a mix of experienced veterans and promising younger talent. The transfer landscape continues to reshape college baseball rosters, and Tennessee’s latest addition is a clear example of how programs are leveraging the portal to bolster their infield and offensive production.
In summary, Mario Trivella’s move from FIU to Tennessee represents another significant shift in the college baseball transfer market. His proven power at FIU, combined with Tennessee’s ongoing roster-building efforts under Elander, sets the stage for what could be a dynamic season in Knoxville. Fans and analysts will be watching how Trivella adapts to the Volunteers’ system and how he fits into Elander’s plans as Tennessee aims to advance further in postseason play.