2025/26 Transfer Portal Thread

[NashVolDavis]

Touché.

They could have a strong confidence since we might find out next week….i think I seen that earlier

According to at least one of the VQ mods, that has been the “buzz” around campus today

 

[DD4ME]

We have to be waiting on Simpson, there’s honestly no other answer.


Barnett is at UCF. If we wanted him, we could probably get him. Wonder if he’s a backup plan if he doesn’t commit elsewhere.

I think the Simpson slash Joey case.

 

[TrippieRedd]

I think the Simpson slash Joey case.

Which then I would assume Barnett is a backup plan considering one of the guys over there said we’ve talked to him

Okay okay. I like it

 

[DD4ME]

My point is in the current market you aren’t getting a clear cut SEC starter for 3.

Simpson maybe...

 

[Sandman Vol]

IDK, they want to win now. If getting a premier QB is needed, I think they'll do not, within reason. I don't think they'd pay $4m+ for a hobbled QB who is gonna miss spring again.

Big if. No idea what they think of gmac. No idea what they think of the current portal guys. No idea if we’ve been in touch with anyone else. So far it looks like we’ve approached leavitt and sorsby but they are currently visiting elsewhere and their price tag apparently keeps going up. That’s all we know.

 

[DD4ME]

Which then I would assume Barnett is a backup plan considering one of the guys over there said we’ve talked to him

Okay okay. I like it

The more I've watched the numbers heat up on these other guys the more I am liking it too. I think Simpson plus our young guys could be fun.

 

[Jackcrevol]

@Vols410
Here is a chatgpt analysis of your ranking and an overview of our current prospects. It was complimentary of your analysis.


First: Quick context on Tennessee’s likely 2026 needs (pre-portal)
Assuming no surprises beyond current departures:
Biggest needs
Safety (top-end starter, not just depth)
EDGE (rotation + upside starter)
RB (if one of the current backs stalls or leaves early)
QB (experience hedge, not desperation)
Moderate needs
DT (1 rotation-ready body)
LB (only if elite; otherwise depth)
That matters, because fit + urgency should slightly outweigh pure ranking.
Defensive Backs
S Qua Moss (#157 S)
Your take: ~equal to Turrentine
My take: Agree, with upside caveat
Moss profiles as a solid SEC starter, not a star.
Compared to Tennessee’s current DB room, he’s plug-and-play depth with modest ceiling.
I would rank him:
Below elite portal safeties
Roughly equal to internal options like Turrentine, as you said
Grade relative to 2026 roster:
B / B+ — useful, but not a difference-maker
S Tawfiq Byard (#41 S)
This is the safety that actually moves the needle.
True center-field ability
Better instincts than Moss
Higher playmaking ceiling than anyone currently projected at safety for 2026
My ranking vs your model:
I’m higher than Moss by a clear tier
Grade relative to 2026 roster:
A- / borderline A — immediate starter, scheme fit
Defensive Line
DT Mateen Ibirogba (#127 DT)
Your comp: Close to Bryson Eason
My take: Accurate comp, slightly higher utility
He’s not a disruptor, but he’s SEC-viable rotation immediately
Tennessee doesn’t need a star DT — it needs reliable snaps
Ibirogba fits that role very well
Grade relative to 2026 roster:
B+ — better than current depth, but not transformative
EDGE Chaz Coleman (#129 EDGE)
Your comp: Jordan Ross
My take: Agree almost exactly
Similar body type and motor
Neither is a proven pass-rush alpha
Both are rotation players unless they pop
Grade relative to 2026 roster:
B — necessary depth, limited upside
EDGE Adam Trick (#56 EDGE)
This is where I diverge upward from conservative portal thinking.
Trick has true pass-rush traits
Not polished, but the burst is real
Tennessee’s EDGE room needs at least one upside swing
My ranking:
Slightly higher than #56 EDGE given roster context
Grade relative to 2026 roster:
A- — high-variance, but exactly the kind of bet Tennessee should take
Linebacker
LB Keaton Thomas (#66 LB)
Your take: Would’ve been LB1
My take: Yes — and that’s the key point
He’s not a national top-10 LB
But relative to Tennessee’s 2026 LB room, he’s:
Best processor
Best coverage ability
Most SEC-ready
Grade relative to 2026 roster:
A — positional upgrade, not just depth
This is one where roster context > raw ranking.
Running Back
RB Hollywood Smothers (#7 RB)
Your reaction: “Yikes”
My reaction: Your model is right.
Explosive acceleration
Natural receiving ability
Tennessee’s offense magnifies RB efficiency
If he hit the portal and Tennessee landed him, he’d:
Compete for RB1 snaps immediately
Add a dimension currently missing
Grade relative to 2026 roster:
A / A+ — offensive multiplier
RB Cam Cook (#70 RB)
Good runner
Limited passing-game ceiling
More “safe floor” than “difference maker”
Grade relative to 2026 roster:
B — fine depth, not a featured piece
Quarterbacks (Big Picture)
Tennessee does not need a savior — it needs:
Experience
Stability
Insurance
My internal tiering vs your list
Tier 1 (Ideal fit)
Ty Simpson (#13) — arm talent + SEC familiarity
Josh Hoover (#46) — underrated processing, fits tempo
Tier 2 (Very solid)
Sam Leavitt (#52) — intriguing, slightly raw
Brendan Sorsby (#19) — productive, system-dependent
Tier 3 (Lower urgency fit)
Rocco Becht (#37) — good QB, but less schematic upside here
Drew Mestemaker (#47) — depth only
Key point:
I would not overpay in NIL for a QB unless Simpson or Hoover were attainable.
Final Summary Table (Roster-Adjusted Grades)
Player
Pos
Roster-Adjusted Grade
Hollywood Smothers
RB
A+
Keaton Thomas
LB
A
Tawfiq Byard
S
A-
Adam Trick
EDGE
A-
Ty Simpson
QB
A- (fit-dependent)
Mateen Ibirogba
DT
B+
Qua Moss
S
B/B+
Cam Cook
RB
B
Chaz Coleman
EDGE
B
Bottom line
Your model is stronger than average fan projections, especially at RB and LB. Where I’d tweak it:
Slightly elevate Trick and Byard
Keep Smothers exactly where he is — that grade is earned
Avoid overvaluing mid-tier EDGE depth unless upside is present

you used sally didn't you?

 

[TrippieRedd]

The more I've watched the numbers heat up on these other guys the more I am liking it too. I think Simpson plus our young guys could be fun.

1. Joey
2. Ty (if he stays in college)
3. Barnett (if Ty goes pro and Joey can’t come back)


I think we cracked the case

 

[MrVolton]

We have to be waiting on Simpson, there’s honestly no other answer.


Barnett is at UCF. If we wanted him, we could probably get him. Wonder if he’s a backup plan if he doesn’t commit elsewhere.

I saw the Old Dominion QB’s name mentioned too. Threw for 2,500 and ran for 1,000 this season.

 

[NashVolDavis]

Simpson maybe...

Not for 3 but he’s one that would actually be worth the price tag…I predict a lot of buyers remorse looking back on this portal window, prices are silly

 

[Blake25p]

If we’re being honest Joey coming back would be the best case scenario.

 

[Sandman Vol]

Or waiting on Joey ruling

I don’t think they are banking on that without simultaneously pursuing a backup plan. No telling when that ruling could come.

 

[CAVPUT]

Helllllll no.


Bro is on trial

Whut? Really?

 

[jp1]

1. Joey
2. Ty (if he stays in college)
3. Barnett (if Ty goes pro and Joey can’t come back)


I think we cracked the case

Im with you on Barnett though. He would kill it in Heups offense.

 

[CAVPUT]

If we’re being honest Joey coming back would be the best case scenario.

Ah....no. I think we can and should do better.

 

[TrippieRedd]

Im with you on Barnett though. He would kill it in Heups offense.

He’s just a personal favorite of mine since last season.

 

[NashVolDavis]

I don’t think they are banking on that without simultaneously pursuing a backup plan. No telling when that ruling could come.

Well the word on the street is a ruling is expected next week, which could be a contributing factor to us not rushing on the current options…Simpson or Joey are both better options than Sorsby/Leavitt, and they could both be on the table in the coming days

 

[Sandman Vol]

Touché.

They could have a strong confidence since we might find out next week….i think I seen that earlier

I also saw they said it might come next week but havent seen anything saying that’s more concretely likely than it coming 3 months from now. Anyone keeping up with that situation? Please don’t make me go to the FF.

 

[DD4ME]

This is the way

Another option

 

[DD4ME]

If we’re being honest Joey coming back would be the best case scenario.

Likely

 

[TrippieRedd]

When Thomas visit? Tomorrow?

Saw he was at Ole Miss today

 

[Blake25p]

Ah....no. I think we can and should do better.

I understand where you’re coming from but we could do a lot worse than the reigning SEC passing leader.

 

[volamite86]

Tre Richardson from Vandy to the portal

 

[jpope9]

If we’re being honest Joey coming back would be the best case scenario.

Nah, that would mean Pavia’s prick ass would be back

 

[ETNVolunteer1]

LSU wants Trinidad Chambliss but his waiver is more than likely going to be denied. They also don’t want to wait for a decision so they’re throwing everything at Sorsby. Ole Miss also wants Chambliss for another season but like LSU, aren’t waiting on a decision. They’re targeting Deuce Knight. Sounds like Austin Simmons wanted to stay at Ole Miss but also wanted 3-4 million and Ole Miss said no.