2025/26 Transfer Portal Thread

[Vols4us]

Agree completely. He checks every box and with limited practice reps due to his injury he was still able to come in at the end of the season and play better than Heard at any point during his young career. An off-season being healthy and getting strong, there is a good chance he is a Top 3 LT in the entire SEC next season. He is that good.

I agree. I went from skeptical to, oh my, that guy can play the game at the end of the season. Even with the injury he was good. Heard was a RT playing LT. It just did not make sense to meet his position and money demands when we already had a guy who can play RT well anyway.

 

[Vols4us]

I am late to the boom - some great late editions.

Duarte in particular can help us.

 

[buffaloblue]

Sanders just doesn’t have first round potential, but he has top 10 potential. He’s everything you want in a pro tackle.

 

[BigOrangeTrain]

Word is we need some more Defensive Tackles, is it TRUE?

Only the coaching staff truly knows

 

[BigOrangeTrain]

Sanders just doesn’t have first round potential, but he has top 10 potential. He’s everything you want in a pro tackle.

Wow you are saying this about a true sophomore lol

 

[buffaloblue]

Wow you are saying this about a true sophomore lol

He still has to develop the skill set. But the hands, the feet, the athleticism. It’s all the tools you want to see. Still has to develop them and perform. And yes, I’m saying this about a true sophomore.

 

[seaofORANGE22]

Unproven QB is a big part of that. No big takes from the Porthole. RB room weaker this year though Bishop is back so that's the main thing there. Loss of Heard and Brazzell. I say on paper because I do see the promise.

I think this is all very fair.

But still plenty of reasons for optimism as a lot of high level recruits are stepping into those roles.

Duane Morris showed signs as a freshman that he’s ready for another step. The Tulane RB did some nice things as a freshman. But Bishop is the bellcow here. And a really good one.

I love the pieces we have on the OL. Less overall guys to try to keep happy. But a more condensed rotation of 8 or so guys that could likely all start.

While we don’t know what we have yet with George/Faizon, those guys are very talented and could certainly thrive. And who knows maybe we get Joey back.

I think TE is likely stronger next year with Ethan Davis in a featured role.

The loss of Brazzell is very big. But we have a lot more returning production at WR next year than we had going into last year. Not to mention a guy name Tristen Keys. He might be the best one we’ve had here in awhile.

We also have a great offensive coach in Heupel. Could be fun. But expectations probably should be reasonable as we will be leaning on a lot of young guys. But you never know. There’s a lot to be excited about. Live in your hopes and dreams!

 

[MarcoVol]

Wow you are saying this about a true sophomore lol

Same thing that recruiting services do for kids who haven’t even stepped on a college campus yet.

Somehow they’re considered gospel.

 

[seaofORANGE22]

Wow you are saying this about a true sophomore lol

It’s because he showed that he has the goods. Just needs to add strength and he’s going to start mauling folks.

 

[tennesseefan31]

I think this is all very fair.

But still plenty of reasons for optimism as a lot of high level recruits are stepping into those roles.

Duane Morris showed signs as a freshman that he’s ready for another step. The Tulane RB did some nice things as a freshman. But Bishop is the bellcow here. And a really good one.

I love the pieces we have on the OL. Less overall guys to try to keep happy. But a more condensed rotation of 8 or so guys that could likely all start.

While we don’t know what we have yet with George/Faizon, those guys are very talented and could certainly thrive. And who knows maybe we get Joey back.

I think TE is likely stronger next year with Ethan Davis in a featured role.

The loss of Brazzell is very big. But we have a lot more returning production at WR next year than we had going into last year. Not to mention a guy name Tristen Keys. He might be the best one we’ve had here in awhile.

We also have a great offensive coach in Heupel. Could be fun. But expectations probably should be reasonable as we will be leaning on a lot of young guys. But you never know. There’s a lot to be excited about. Live in your hopes and dreams!

We're in a better spot going into this year than we were last year at every spot besides QB. And even that's roughly a wash bc we didn't know anything about Joey (and the guys we do have are more talented).

I think the offense will be pretty damn good.

 

[NighthawkVol]

Wow you are saying this about a true sophomore lol

Yep. And it’s true. He has top 10 pick potential. Whether he reaches that or not, we’ll see.

 

[Ten_Titans]

Assuming this wasn't a sarcastic question, the answer from me is "it depends."

If he thinks that we have enough talent and depth on the DL to where we only needed to add 1 IDL and 2 Edge/SDE despite losing Eason/Moi/West/Bailey/Ross/Herring (I don't care about guys who didn't play like Wallace) then if he turns out to be wrong (i.e., it's not enough and the DL is subpar) then yes I will blame him. If he turns out to have been right because we get some combination of a glow-up from returnees + bigtime production from GIlliam/Coleman/Norman + a few of the large and impressive freshmen class, then he gets all the credit.

On the other hand, if he didn't think we have enough talent and depth on the DL and yet failed to acquire more than the 1 IDL and 2 Edge/SDE we did add, then yes I will blame him.

CRG isn't cutting the checks to get any of these players.

We've rapidly reached the point of having NFL parallels when it comes to roster management. And in the NFL, it would be a joke to blame the DL coach for not having enough DL talent on the roster.

 

[Batman1948]

Anyone else wonder why we loaded up on tight ends?

Maybe gonna see more 12 personnel this year initially until all the new players get comfortable with each other. If that's the case, our defense shouldn't be on the field as much. Just a guess though

 

[Batman1948]

Word is we need some more Defensive Tackles, is it TRUE?

I know the answer but I'm gonna keep that information to myself

 

[rockytop25]

 

[BreatheUT]

Yes….

The point I'm making is Sanks was the top RB out of high school in a class that included Lewis and Travis Henry, not to mention we added Stephen's in the same class. There has been a few teams that have loaded up at skill positions like that. We also did that with Houston, Tinsley, and freight train Davis. Riggs Jr, joined a team that had those guys on it.

You can't have a loaded roster like that these days with these emotionally fragile players ready to transfer because they "might not play" right away.

 

[BigorangeBoy]

At an alumni meeting back then Fulmer called him Jasper Shank…

 

[ALLVOL 4LIFE]

His laziness as a technician cost us the Music City bowl.

I agree. Never liked Heard. After every play, he was standing at the pile with hands on his hips. I want my OL in the pile or called off by the whistle.

 

[ALLVOL 4LIFE]

Just by looks, Carter, Rivers, and Rouse look field ready right now. They look pissed and ready to clean somebody’s clock.

 

[NIL>KidsCollegeFund]

Word is we need some more Defensive Tackles, is it TRUE?

Big if true.

 

[Jackcrevol]

Parker Brothers? Take.

Please tell me their first names are Milton and Bradley.

The battleship, you sank it.

 

[PlanetVolunteer]

Heard is not an irreplaceable player. He was good, never great. Very powerful blocker in certain situations but not really a technician. Which is why he didn’t get a good draft grade and is playing at Kentucky. We can do better.

Sanders showed more natural elite tackle traits as a true freshman than Heard ever did imo. He wasn’t perfect but he’s very skilled and I’m betting will be much better after an offseason with Owings and the boys.

it's because heard is a dern guard

 

[seaofORANGE22]

it's because heard is a dern guard

1 million percent

Could have been an all American at guard imo. But so locked into the idea of being a LT. Lame.

If he had played 10 years ago there’s no doubt in my mind any coach he played for would have kicked him inside and told him to like it or enjoy the bench.

 

[Samthebam]

1 million percent

Could have been an all American at guard imo. But so locked into the idea of being a LT. Lame.

If he had played 10 years ago there’s no doubt in my mind any coach he played for would have kicked him inside and told him to like it or enjoy the bench.

 

[DD4ME]

I'm thinking Sanders played better than either of Heard's first two seasons, although I haven't checked the "official" ratings. If Sanders makes the second year jump most do, he might well have beat Heard straight up.

He has and will.