2025/26 Transfer Portal Thread

[LittleVol]

Some of you just don’t get it.
You saw what Boos attitude did.
You saw what Nico’s dad did…
Nobody is above the team.
I never said Matthews didn’t deserve a raise.

But it certainly shouldn’t be more than our SEC FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR- Braylon Staley.

And I absolutely think Radarius Jackson can get 770 yards and 6 TDs as a sophomore . And make clutch catches when needed. That’s not too much to ask.

You all are still in love with him being a “5 star”.
I saw a kid that still ran the wrong routes occasionally and had suspect hands. Certainly a replaceable component with what we already have on our roster.

 

[Volpatine]

I want to keep MM…with that said, it’s a lot like every other position, you set a $ amount you’re willing to spend, above that amount it may not be good transactionally for the team as a whole

There’s only so much $ in our bag

This isn’t a post saying let MM walk, I just hope that our coaches aren’t forced to make a tough decision between “overpaying” positions we felt like we were comfortable in (WR) and solidifying the defense

Like I said at the top I prefer he stays, but it’s become a business so we don’t need to feel slighted if he does leave

 

[LittleVol]

Can’t wait to bump all these trash takes after Mike has a great season

if @MarcoVol doesn’t beat me to it

What are you talking about???

He dropped two crucial passes that seriously altered our season!! And now you want to pay him whatever??

So what hes above ridicule because he was a productive 5 star in year 2??

Get a little perspective. I have not once said “don’t pay him” I said let him walk if he’s asking for an unreasonable amount given his lack of a clutch gene.

Whatever he gets paid, Staley needs to get 25% more. He was the only reason that OU game was competitive.

 

[dmwvol12]

Fools gold. No faith in this kid. Zero. The last thing I think of when I hear the name Mike Matthews is consistency and dependability.

I think he’s a really good player and would like for him to stay but not sure he’s worth a significant raise. A modest raise makes sense but I would prefer they dedicate more resources on the defensive side of the ball. Heupel will figure it out.

 

[volamite86]

Rocco Becht to the portal

 

[LittleVol]

I want to keep MM…with that said, it’s a lot like every other position, you set a $ amount you’re willing to spend, above that amount it may not be good transactionally for the team as a whole

There’s only so much $ in our bag

This isn’t a post saying let MM walk, I just hope that our coaches aren’t forced to make a tough decision between “overpaying” positions we felt like we were comfortable in (WR) and solidifying the defense

Like I said at the top I prefer he stays, but it’s become a business so we don’t need to feel slighted if he does leave

Exactly! We need to build a team!

Some of these idiots would have Matthews earning as much as a QB.
Bishop had 14 TDs? Matthews 6…
2nd team All-SEC

Just saying!

 

[HalfullVol]

I can't remember if it was the VQ or 247 podcast recently that said the staff will target a RB. I would tend to agree that it isn't a need, but it sounds like the staff wants one. I'll say we're pursuing:

1 QB
1 RB
1 SDE
2 DTs
1 CB
1 Nickel
2 Safeties

So 9 incoming from the portal as of now, unless we lose some others we were counting on and need to replace.

9 is a big number
Might happen

 

[King of the Wild Frontier]

I like Mike. I’m willing to give him another chance as I thought he left a little out there. That said, traditional football tough love should prevail. He should not get a raise, and if he asking for one, what world is he living in?

And he needs to be required to catch 100+ balls a day à la Chris Lofton putting up free throws if he doesn’t want to split time with a younger, talented fella.

 

[Volpatine]

Exactly! We need to build a team!

Some of these idiots would have Matthews earning as much as a QB.
Bishop had 14 TDs? Matthews 6…
2nd team All-SEC

Just saying!

To your point: Building a team has always been the best bet. This isn’t CBB or the NBA where stars are what matters. Last year we took a team somewhat devoid of play makers and stars and went to the CFP, this year we had video game numbers and we are in the music city bowl…

 

[jasonvol18]

I want to keep MM…with that said, it’s a lot like every other position, you set a $ amount you’re willing to spend, above that amount it may not be good transactionally for the team as a whole

There’s only so much $ in our bag

This isn’t a post saying let MM walk, I just hope that our coaches aren’t forced to make a tough decision between “overpaying” positions we felt like we were comfortable in (WR) and solidifying the defense

Like I said at the top I prefer he stays, but it’s become a business so we don’t need to feel slighted if he does leave

Money isn't going to be an issue. Supposedly we're going to spend more in this years portal than the last 2 combined. If that is indeed true, I believe Heupel is finally starting to get it. NO team can win a CFP or even make the CFP without hitting the transfer portal. I'm not saying we need to be top 3 in portal spending, but definitely top 8.

 

[CAVPUT]

I have no issues with raises to MM and Staley, they both proved their worth.

No raises. Incentives.

 

[LittleVol]

No raises. Incentives.

Staley absolutely deserves a raise.

These kids are making the university money.
Matthews deserves a raise too, just not top Offensive player money.

He went from 90 yards to 770 yards. That’s significant.

 

[Checker_the_Shire]

No raises. Incentives.

 

[walkenvol]

Honestly doesn't sound like it matters, not for TN anyway. From the very few reliable sources he won't be here either way. Hope he wins and catches on somewhere.

Personally, I’d keep JA if he wins the lawsuit vs rolling the dice on someone new from the portal. JA is a leader and a good player without any drama. You don’t kick that to the curb for a “might be better “ option. JMO

 

[jasonvol18]

Exactly! We need to build a team!

Some of these idiots would have Matthews earning as much as a QB.
Bishop had 14 TDs? Matthews 6…
2nd team All-SEC

Just saying!

Agreed..While I do think he deserves a raise, but not Jeremiah Smith or Carnell Tate type money. Staley would be the one deserving a bag. If Mathews can cut down on the drops, he would easily be a 1000 yard + type WR.

 

[Volnut]

Rocco Becht to the portal

Following his coach to Pedo St.?

 

[CAVPUT]

Unless one of our current RBs portals out, RB isn't a need.

I don't think we have anyone at RB that makes a defense nervous. I say upgrade if you can....and that applies to every position.

 

[Volnut]

Also per Basilio, MM is wanting a huge raise. We’ll see if we meet the price, negotiate, or let him walk.

But what does Richard G. West say?

 

[CAVPUT]

Agreed..While I do think he deserves a raise, but not Jeremiah Smith or Carnell Tate type money. Staley would be the one deserving a bag. If Mathews can cut down on the drops, he would easily be a 1000 yard + type WR.

Until Matthews actually eliminates the drops, I see no reason to throw more money his way. Again... incentives. Show me.

 

[jasonvol18]

Personally, I’d keep JA if he wins the lawsuit vs rolling the dice on someone new from the portal. JA is a leader and a good player without any drama. You don’t kick that to the curb for a “might be better “ option. JMO

I do agree and would love him to return, but Heupel can't afford to sit back and hope he gets another year. In a perfect world, he would find out by time the portal opens. If JA doesn't know his fate when the Portal opens, CJH has no choice but to start having portal QB's visit. That's the unfortunate part about not having a Spring Portal. If JA doesn't know his fate by portal opening, it will force Heupel to go in a different direction. Absolutely no way can he ride with 2 QB's and 2 that have zero experience. If it's true that a donor is putting up the money to bring in a QB, that's pretty telling to me that they aren't confident it gets resolved in time. It's unfair to JA and even as bad as I hate him, Pavia too. But I also understand the court's don't rush through anything. I would be shocked if he gets another year. I hope Joey does, just not counting on it.

 

[seaofORANGE22]

Some of you just don’t get it.
You saw what Boos attitude did.
You saw what Nico’s dad did…
Nobody is above the team.
I never said Matthews didn’t deserve a raise.

But it certainly shouldn’t be more than our SEC FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR- Braylon Staley.

And I absolutely think Radarius Jackson can get 770 yards and 6 TDs as a sophomore . And make clutch catches when needed. That’s not too much to ask.

You all are still in love with him being a “5 star”.
I saw a kid that still ran the wrong routes occasionally and had suspect hands. Certainly a replaceable component with what we already have on our roster.

He is not easily replaceable at all imo. He had some drops but people (me) love him because he is dynamic as hell with the ball in his hands as he showed many times this season. He is also a ferocious blocker for a WR. And a very tough cover for DBs. Gotta keep players like that in orange and keep developing them.

We can’t just give up on every young player that drops a pass. This is not the NFL. They’re allowed to get better year to year.

 

[cncchris33]

Agreed..While I do think he deserves a raise, but not Jeremiah Smith or Carnell Tate type money. Staley would be the one deserving a bag. If Mathews can cut down on the drops, he would easily be a 1000 yard + type WR.

The issue with MM's drops are the magnitude of games/situations he had them. The Vandy dropped TD stands out. He had a big one against UGA, too. He had several in the first few games, too, that no one really recalls because they weren't big games and situations. I'd estimate that he easily led the WR group in drops, overall, but also in key moments that perhaps swayed outcomes. Watching the Brooks Austin film review of the Syracuse game back in September, I just remember him saying more than once, "You gotta catch the ball, Mike." Every time he'd drop a ball, that phrase just replayed in my head.

In terms of pay increases, I won't speak to whether he deserves a raise, but the reality is that Tennessee will have to give him one because someone else will, if not.

 

[PlanetVolunteer]

He is not easily replaceable at all imo. He had some drops but people (me) love him because he is dynamic as hell with the ball in his hands as he showed many times this season. He is also a ferocious blocker for a WR. And a very tough cover for DBs. Gotta keep players like that in orange and keep developing them.

We can’t just give up on every young player that drops a pass. This is not the NFL. They’re allowed to get better year to year.

Mike is real good at makin stiff happen with the bawl in his hands

 

[seaofORANGE22]

Some of yall would have cut Brazzell loose too and would have been kicking themselves watching him dominate on somebody else’s team.

Thats the kinda jump MM could easily have next year. He has all the tools and has only been a starter one year. We need him back.

Pay him what it takes and coach him up.

 

[Skooter]

Hope we keep MM and he improves. That said, we can replace what he brings. He is not natural catching the ball and I still kinda wish he played safety. It’s not just the big drops. People didn’t notice the multiple times he was blocking on a pass play or didn’t run his route because he didn’t think he was getting the ball. Those things can’t happen and didn’t happen with Staley or Brazzell.