2025 Transfer Portal Thread

[Jean-Claude van Manning]

I was going to highlight the top 100 guards that could be considered elite...and realized it's actually most the list BTO shared.

So here's the only guards not in the top 100 rankings (based on 247)

Point Guards:
Budd Clark
Jordan Marsh

Guards:
Donovan Atwell
Quante Berry
Gabriel Pozzato - listed as SF, but is top 25 so would be elite too
Sebastian Mack

I love Pozzato. Think he has very high potential. Could play him at the 3 or even small ball 4.

Quante Berry isn't discussed much here but he seems like a great option to bring in here off the bench. A Cleveland, TN native, he might be easier to get and he looks to be a willing defender with decent shooting percentages.

 

[MoCo_Vol]

I love Pozzato. Think he has very high potential. Could play him at the 3 or even small ball 4.

Quante Berry isn't discussed much here but he seems like a great option to bring in here off the bench. A Cleveland, TN native, he might be easier to get and he looks to be a willing defender with decent shooting percentages.

Pozzato would be a big get...6'7" with 3 years to play and has international experience. A bit more athletic and shorter Igor, but could become a stud if developed in those 3 years here.

Berry reads like a Gainey type, ya get him now and then his 2nd year here he becomes a big time 6th man option.

 

[Batman1948]

From Basilio's blog this morning:

"Isaac McKneely, perhaps the best 3-point shooter in the entire portal is expected to be on UT's campus today. Tennessee is rolling up their sleeves with designs on getting back to the second weekend of the 2026 tournament. The 6-4 McKneely is a guy that shot 42 percent from 3-point land and was really the only player worth guarding on a moribund Virginia team. He's considered a very good shooter when his feet aren't set. He's expected to take less money to play at Tennessee than Louisville is offering. This would mark the second consecutive season Tennessee has gotten their high-profile shooting guard for less than the competition is offering.

Tennessee is selling McKneely on holding down the role occupied by Knecht and Lanier the past couple of years. This is seen as a coveted role in the sport ... It's one that apparently speaks to McKneely. That's interesting stuff and speaks to the culture Rick Barnes has. My belief is that UT could end up with at least 6 or perhaps 7 new portal faces ... especially if the NCAA slow rolls implementation of the would-be blanket 5th year for all athletes.

One final thing to watch going forward with this class ... Tennessee is going offensive first ... Don't expect Mashack types going forward. Tennessee is adjusting to the trend in the nation toward prioritizing players featuring a more offensive game. We'll deep dive on UT's portal activities as it unfolds."

I believe Barnes would retire today before he gives up playing defense. Basilio must be high if he thinks UT will swap defense for offense

 

[Derek Reese's jumpshot]

I believe Barnes would retire today before he gives up playing defense. Basilio must be high if he thinks UT will swap defense for offense

He's spent most of his career recruiting defense and trying to teach them offense. I think he's realized the last few years, it's a lot more effective to do the opposite.

 

[Stoked]

“Yeah, he’s a fat ass”

this got me cryin yo

Pretty much a "He's a fat ass, but OUR fat ass"

 

[Batman1948]

Tennessee is in good shape for a couple of really elite guards… I expect good news on the trail shortly…

Hope the information comes quickly, as we seem to have some of our posters really close to the ledge----

 

[Batman1948]

Houston kinda reminded me of some of those Louisville teams back in the day. Long athletic and really physical.

Those were the good ole days. Denny would recruit a team full of 6'6 to 6'8 jackrabbits and run everyone out of the gym

 

[Stoked]

so have we just given up on signing burries?

Basically yes. Seems like he's Arizona bound and Nate Ament is most likely Louisville bound, or possibly Duke.

 

[Batman1948]

Good lord you drama queen. Me noting that he brought very little on offense is hardly throwing him under the bus. Yes, the injury slowed him down, which is why i said i hated to even mention him. Sorry I didn't spell it out for you in greater detail, but I doubt it would have mattered since you perceive anything but effusive praise as throwing players under the bus. Get real.

Do you feel better now Nancy

 

[Namorto1]

This...he could be Lanier-lite, I guess, with less athleticism, in that like Lanier, he's not a true 3-level scorer like DK was in his one year. Like Lanier, he has a real quick release, but a more orthodox looking shot. He can shoot from from position or on the move and has range. Not a real threat to drive the ball but is a better passer than Lanier.

Probably a better ball handler than Lanier as well.

 

[deatojl]

Good lord you drama queen. Me noting that he brought very little on offense is hardly throwing him under the bus. Yes, the injury slowed him down, which is why i said i hated to even mention him. Sorry I didn't spell it out for you in greater detail, but I doubt it would have mattered since you perceive anything but effusive praise as throwing players under the bus. Get real.

Well, to be fair, you did include Cade in the group of players you referred to as "zeroes". That seems to be a bit more than just falling short of effusive praise.

 

[Luke Joiner]

Doesn’t shoot the 3 as well as they might want but would we have interest in Lendeborg?

 

[CNeagleVolFan]

How does the decision on a 5th year on April 7th affect our recruiting? BTO? IMO, I’d just keep Zakai and maybe 1 or 2 others.

 

[bleedingTNorange]

Doesn’t shoot the 3 as well as they might want but would we have interest in Lendeborg?

Them and every other school I’m sure

 

[bleedingTNorange]

How does the decision on a 5th year on April 7th affect our recruiting? BTO? IMO, I’d just keep Zakai and maybe 1 or 2 others.

Where do you see a decision is coming April 7th?

 

[CNeagleVolFan]

Where do you see a decision is coming April 7th?

Just saw it on twitter. I’ll try to find the post

 

[CNeagleVolFan]

 

[CNeagleVolFan]

View attachment 732122

Don’t know how reliable this guy or the source he got it from is.

 

[ABtheVolsfan92]

I do not want the 5th year rule to pass it is not good for the sport or any sport for that matter

 

[volnbama_]

Doesn’t shoot the 3 as well as they might want but would we have interest in Lendeborg?

If we want to be back in contention next year we do. I’m really surprised he’s not going to try to go pro. He’d easily be our best post player since Grant

 

[RyanWalkerPGH]

Don’t know how reliable this guy or the source he got it from is.

This was the initial date that was circulating; however, it's expected to get pushed to summer last I heard.

 

[MoCo_Vol]

Don’t know how reliable this guy or the source he got it from is.

April 7th is confirmed by multiple other sources and has been set for the date for awhile now.

 

[MoCo_Vol]

I do not want the 5th year rule to pass it is not good for the sport or any sport for that matter

1 you're wrong
2 it's basically already in effect with medical RS and regular RS... this would simply remove a lot of the BS administration the NCAA has to deal with, no more appeals or approvals to deal with

 

[TheMookieMonster]

View attachment 732122

He’s quoting an AI-generated response. Don’t trust it. It’s only sourcing based on what information is available, and there is nothing indicating that a 5th year decision is coming that day.

 

[ABtheVolsfan92]

1 you're wrong
2 it's basically already in effect with medical RS and regular RS... this would simply remove a lot of the BS administration the NCAA has to deal with, no more appeals or approvals to deal with

The only way I would like it is if it removes redshirting