2026 Vols Transfer Portal Thread

[bleedingTNorange]

I see a lot of if we can get Okpara when the five year rule starts we are Final Four bound. The problem is that a bunch of fifth year players get scattered all over the country. This would clearly be a net negative for us with a good deal of the roster already set. Some teams really struggling to pull guys out of the portal would end up loaded.

Been my thoughts this whole time, if we’re getting Juke I don’t want a 5th year passing

 

[MoCo_Vol]

NCAA should just add an "OR" in this.... once you complete a bachelor's you also exhaust eligibility.

Reason, if you graduate high school guess what you can no longer play, high school sports the following season.

 

[UTFranklinVol]

I don't understand the Okpara talk? is there a chance he gets an extra year or eligibility?

 

[Weezer]

Further context on Juke— Over the weekend we heard that he did not get the kind of feedback that would keep him in the draft. Like many kids, he’s getting fatigued with this process and the constant attention it takes. He wants to get it over with. We’ve accelerated ironing out final details in his NIL structure. Supposedly it is at the finish line. Barring any crazy development it’ll be done today and announced in the next couple of days.

Pinky promise?

 

[MoCo_Vol]

I don't understand the Okpara talk? is there a chance he gets an extra year or eligibility?

No one knows...he and Ja'Kobi both would fit inside the 5 year rule though...other than the "no current players eligibility" part which everyone expects lots of lawsuits to happen.

 

[Stoked]

Further context on Juke— Over the weekend we heard that he did not get the kind of feedback that would keep him in the draft. Like many kids, he’s getting fatigued with this process and the constant attention it takes. He wants to get it over with. We’ve accelerated ironing out final details in his NIL structure. Supposedly it is at the finish line. Barring any crazy development it’ll be done today and announced in the next couple of days.

Tomorrow Basilio will share the same thing in his blog but will fluff it up a little and change some things around

 

[UTFranklinVol]

No one knows...he and Ja'Kobi both would fit inside the 5 year rule though...other than the "no current players eligibility" part which everyone expects lots of lawsuits to happen.

it's hard to believe after all the money Barnes is spending getting new players that we would even be able to put those two players back on the team assuming months of litigation before we even know if they are allowed to come back.

 

[cncchris33]

NCAA should just add an "OR" in this.... once you complete a bachelor's you also exhaust eligibility.

Reason, if you graduate high school guess what you can no longer play, high school sports the following season.

Genuinely, no offense meant to you, but that's an awful idea.

It punishes players committed to the "student" part of student-athlete. If I graduate in three years, why should I be punished for it? I could exhaust my collegiate eligibility and get my masters program paid for all in 5 years while competing, receiving NIL, and completing two degrees.

 

[wtmvol]

Can we just add a clause to the 5 year rule that excludes any players currently out of eligibility UNLESS they played for the Vols last season? I'd be cool with that. The rest of the players need to move on.

 

[MoCo_Vol]

Genuinely, no offense meant to you, but that's an awful idea.

It punishes players committed to the "student" part of student-athlete. If I graduate in three years, why should I be punished for it? I could exhaust my collegiate eligibility and get my masters program paid for all in 5 years while competing, receiving NIL, and completing two degrees.

Yeah I know. But this is the NCAA and they put themselves in this mess because for decades they didn't try to do anything for the student-athlete.

bTo mentioned a more likely solution. "We're letting current 4 year seniors have an extra season as well, but roster cap is 15 with no grandfathering clause and there will be no additional transfer window...only players currently in the window can transfer"

I don't think the 15 roster cap will be an issue personally, there are still hundreds of schools that are trying to reach that number...and with how the transfers work nowadays a year at a lower level school dominating would still give you the ability to transfer out and get 4 years potentially for a P4 team

 

[vol9799]

If the NCAA is run by college presidents, and we take a minute and reflect on the past 40 years of college athletics governance, at some point are we going to acknowledge that the problem might be deeper than just college athletics? These morons continue to test the limits of believable stupidity without consequence. And yet...status quo.

 

[Stoked]

Tomorrow Basilio will share the same thing in his blog but will fluff it up a little and change some things around

It'll be something like this.​

​

The Wednesday Morning Smoke: Juke Update & The Finish Line​

Knoxville, Tennessee — Let’s get right into the meat of it this morning.


Regarding the Juke situation: I’m hearing from some very solid folks (not Stoerner Fumbles on Volnation) that the "feedback loop" from the league wasn’t exactly singing the tune he wanted to hear. The NBA draft process is a meat grinder, and frankly, the kid is just plain fatigued. Think about it—you’re a young man under a microscope 24/7, answering the same questions, running the same drills, and living in a constant state of "what if." He’s ready to be done with the circus and get back to the business of being a ballplayer.

The NIL Front​

The good news for the Big Orange faithful? That fatigue is pushing things toward a resolution right here in Knoxville. Here is the latest:

• The Sprint is On: Efforts to iron out the final wrinkles of his NIL structure have been accelerated over the last 48 hours.
• At the Goal Line: My sources (not Stoerner Fumbles) indicate we are effectively at the "finish line." Unless a meteor hits the negotiation table or some "crazy development" comes out of left field, this deal is getting inked today.
• The Reveal: Keep your eyes peeled. Expect an official announcement to drop within the next 48 to 72 hours.

The "Draft Juke" era appears to be closing, and the "NIL Juke" era is officially open for business. This is a massive win for the roster stability.


Stay tuned, stay thirsty, and don't forget to stop by the Sushi Spoooooooot.


-Tony

 

[Jimmy Football]

It'll be something like this.​

​

The Wednesday Morning Smoke: Juke Update & The Finish Line​

Knoxville, Tennessee — Let’s get right into the meat of it this morning.


Regarding the Juke situation: I’m hearing from some very solid folks that the "feedback loop" from the league wasn’t exactly singing the tune he wanted to hear. The NBA draft process is a meat grinder, and frankly, the kid is just plain fatigued. Think about it—you’re a young man under a microscope 24/7, answering the same questions, running the same drills, and living in a constant state of "what if." He’s ready to be done with the circus and get back to the business of being a ballplayer.

The NIL Front​

The good news for the Big Orange faithful? That fatigue is pushing things toward a resolution right here in Knoxville. Here is the latest:

• The Sprint is On: Efforts to iron out the final wrinkles of his NIL structure have been accelerated over the last 48 hours.
• At the Goal Line: My sources indicate we are effectively at the "finish line." Unless a meteor hits the negotiation table or some "crazy development" comes out of left field, this deal is getting inked today.
• The Reveal: Keep your eyes peeled. Expect an official announcement to drop within the next 48 to 72 hours.

The "Draft Juke" era appears to be closing, and the "NIL Juke" era is officially open for business. This is a massive win for the roster stability.


Stay tuned, stay thirsty.


-Tony

Stoked = Basilio, confirmed

And you thought we couldn’t see right through you…smh

 

[walkenvol]

it's hard to believe after all the money Barnes is spending getting new players that we would even be able to put those two players back on the team assuming months of litigation before we even know if they are allowed to come back.

Since neither JG nor Okpara entered the portal, then if I understand correctly the only college option for them is UT if a lawsuit overturns the non inclusion of last year’s seniors. If so, they have no teams bidding up their value so it’s a take our offer or don’t play in college situation. Am I missing something?

If this does happen, I’d expect Barnes could raise the funds to get those guys a decent NIL. JMO

 

[Ryanvols24]

Since neither JG nor Okpara entered the portal, then if I understand correctly the only college option for them is UT if a lawsuit overturns the non inclusion of last year’s seniors. If so, they have no teams bidding up their value so it’s a take our offer or don’t play in college situation. Am I missing something?

If this does happen, I’d expect Barnes could raise the funds to get those guys a decent NIL. JMO

Pretty sure they said it will not give these players out of eligibility this year another year ... Will start with players next year

 

[walkenvol]

Pretty sure they said it will not give these players out of eligibility this year another year ... Will start with players next year

Hence the lawsuit discussion - take a lap

 

[sami]

...and that's why it's idiotic for the NCAA to do this now. I have no idea what their lawyers are telling them, but this complaint is valid.

Unless they plan to do a lot of judge shopping, the current fifth-year players should win.

This is my view exactly? Why rush this now? Pass it in August or September and it's a clean rule, but in classic NCAA style they are just inviting lawsuits. So shortsighted and tone deaf.

 

[kong]

Since neither JG nor Okpara entered the portal, then if I understand correctly the only college option for them is UT if a lawsuit overturns the non inclusion of last year’s seniors. If so, they have no teams bidding up their value so it’s a take our offer or don’t play in college situation. Am I missing something?

If this does happen, I’d expect Barnes could raise the funds to get those guys a decent NIL. JMO

They would be eligible for grad transfers

 

[Stoerner Fumbles]

So the NBA thinks Juke is too small to guard Edey? Great news for us!

HI can’t move his feet, even before his future foot surgery.

 

[Stoerner Fumbles]

Pinky promise?

Anytime I go all-in, it falls apart. Wait, that sounds like evidence in a paternity suit.

 

[sami]

It'll be something like this.​

​

The Wednesday Morning Smoke: Juke Update & The Finish Line​

Knoxville, Tennessee — Let’s get right into the meat of it this morning.


Regarding the Juke situation: I’m hearing from some very solid folks (not Stoerner Fumbles on Volnation) that the "feedback loop" from the league wasn’t exactly singing the tune he wanted to hear. The NBA draft process is a meat grinder, and frankly, the kid is just plain fatigued. Think about it—you’re a young man under a microscope 24/7, answering the same questions, running the same drills, and living in a constant state of "what if." He’s ready to be done with the circus and get back to the business of being a ballplayer.

The NIL Front​

The good news for the Big Orange faithful? That fatigue is pushing things toward a resolution right here in Knoxville. Here is the latest:

• The Sprint is On: Efforts to iron out the final wrinkles of his NIL structure have been accelerated over the last 48 hours.
• At the Goal Line: My sources (not Stoerner Fumbles) indicate we are effectively at the "finish line." Unless a meteor hits the negotiation table or some "crazy development" comes out of left field, this deal is getting inked today.
• The Reveal: Keep your eyes peeled. Expect an official announcement to drop within the next 48 to 72 hours.

The "Draft Juke" era appears to be closing, and the "NIL Juke" era is officially open for business. This is a massive win for the roster stability.


Stay tuned, stay thirsty, and don't forget to stop by the Sushi Spoooooooot.


-Tony

And yet, it seems that many seem to hang on his (and this Trilly guy's) every word.

 

[Weezer]

Anytime I go all-in, it falls apart. Wait, that sounds like evidence in a paternity suit.

Falls apart sounds more like sexual dysfunction.

You have my condolences.

 

[Stoerner Fumbles]

Falls apart sounds more like sexual dysfunction.

You have my condolences.

falls off, i meant to say falls off.

 

[Weezer]

If Juke commit, that leaves one spot, most likely for a big, right? Do we have any bigs set up to visit?

 

[Weezer]

falls off, i meant to say falls off.

Leprosy? That would be awful.