2025 Transfer Portal Thread

[T2P_Priceless]

I think this is a false binary choice. Everything we have heard from the people in the know on this board is that we are aggressively pursuing all 3. Our staff is perfectly capable of recruiting more than one person at once. I’m sure Rice, Freeman, and Ament are all being made priorities right now.

It’s always so simple to just say “pay more” but our staff and collective have never demonstrated that they are simply going to put in the top bid for any player that we’re interested in. It’s not how we’ve built a roster and it’s not how Rick is going to build one in his final years.

You somehow think you're disagreeing with me

 

[T2P_Priceless]

Wouldn't another way to think about the Rice/Ament NIL difference be long term ROI? Based on where we are today, yes, it's likely that Rice would be a bigger impact next year but Ament clearly has the higher long term earning (assume he donates money in the future) and publicity potential?

He's a one and done

 

[Chaz-Vol]

Most of the time when kids have agents, it usually doesn’t turn out well.

The alternative is dealing with Nico and his dad plus uncle. It's just the cost of doing business in college now.

 

[TheMookieMonster]

You somehow think you're disagreeing with me

I guess I misunderstood your point. My apologies.

 

[OrangeInKy]

Rodney Rice is not worth $3 million. We won’t be matching that.

We are more than happy to let other schools overpay and look dumb.

 

[oldaaucoach]

Well, the Rice visit to USC tells me this is trending in the wrong direction. I’m not concerned, I think we’ll field a good team next year, but if we miss on Rice and Freeman, I’m not sure where we turn for help.

My next two up are Alvaro Folgueiras and Braden Hausen

Oops just saw Housen off the board

 

[VolterWhite]

My next two up are Alvaro Folgueiras and Braden Hausen

Hausen committed to Iowa

 

[berryvol]

My next two up are Alvaro Folgueiras and Braden Hausen

Hausen has already committed to Iowa and Alvaro seems out of our picture at this point.

 

[Volprofch05]

My next two up are Alvaro Folgueiras and Braden Hausen

Hausen already committed to Iowa and Alvaro is visiting three other schools

 

[MoCo_Vol]

So...do you all trust the NIL Value on3 has for folks?

For PGs...they have Donovan Dent listed at 2m and Ja'Kobi is ranked right behind him.


SG they have Ian Jackson listed at 1.5m, Josh Dix listed at 1.6m and both are ranked quite a few spots ahead of Rice.


Call me crazy, but I don't think Rice is getting offered 3m for 1 year anywhere... maybe it's 3m for 2 years.

 

[Stoerner Fumbles]

When does Freeman visit?

My communication was in a text and all he said was “working out details of visit”. I assume soon.

 

[oldaaucoach]

So...do you all trust the NIL Value on3 has for folks?

For PGs...they have Donovan Dent listed at 2m and Ja'Kobi is ranked right behind him.


SG they have Ian Jackson listed at 1.5m, Josh Dix listed at 1.6m and both are ranked quite a few spots ahead of Rice.


Call me crazy, but I don't think Rice is getting offered 3m for 1 year anywhere... maybe it's 3m for 2 years.

Ian Jackson would be a nice pickup

 

[MoCo_Vol]

I mean...new guys entering all the time.

SG here's a few that just went in a few days ago.

Jamir Watkins 6'7" from FSU (now the 1st ranked SG) - 18.4 ppg, 4.7 rpg 2.4 apg 1.2 spg this year shooting 42.7% FG and 32.1% 3PT
Ian Jackson 6'4" from UNC (now the 3rd ranked SG) - 11.9 ppg, 2.7 rpg this year as true freshman shooting 45.6% FG and 39.5% 3PT
Cedric Coward 6'6" from WSU (now the 7th ranked SG) - 17.7 ppg, 7.0 rpg, 3.7 apg this year shooting 55.7% FG and 40% 3PT


And a few names we've been in mix with are still out there too. Alex Chaikin still not committed and Rakease Passmore

Just saying no point overpaying for Rice just to get him...Ament is a bit of a unicorn, thus more likely to have to pony up for him. Freeman isn't even the highest rated SF in the portal now...and he's been in almost longer than anyone else.

 

[nateernst]

I genuinely think Ja'Kobi and Rice in year 2 together would be a top 3-5 backcourt in the country, the continuity and chemistry piece with our newest star pg is what makes Rice so important of a get to me. Will be really disappointed if we miss there.

 

[RikidyBones]

My communication was in a text and all he said was “working out details of visit”. I assume soon.

Cracker barrel has to move around some reservations. They need to be better.

 

[TrippieRedd]

I genuinely think Ja'Kobi and Rice in year 2 together would be a top 3-5 backcourt in the country, the continuity and chemistry piece with our newest star pg is what makes Rice so important of a get to me. Will be really disappointed if we miss there.

This is another thing that people aren’t considering. That chemistry and continuity that those 2 have will pay off hugeeeeeeeeeeee.

Then imagine them in year 2 at UT together.

 

[oldaaucoach]

Ian Jackson would be a nice pickup

How about Jahki Howard for the 3 position.

​

 

[MoCo_Vol]

This is another thing that people aren’t considering. That chemistry and continuity that those 2 have will pay off hugeeeeeeeeeeee.

Then imagine them in year 2 at UT together.

What about imaging ZZ and Gainey in year 3 together then? At least both of them WANT to be Vols without question.

To be clear I want Rice...but I don't think he's worth paying 3m a year to land. Cause if all goes well Ja'Kobi should be getting drafted after this season.

 

[backdoorcutvol]

Rice and dad wanted to commit on visit. His agent is trying to get more. The USC visit was not on the radar this morning. I don’t know if that is real or a bluff to get money. I can see this finishing before he ever goes or coming undone because they play it too hard. The tales of big money are making everyone skittish. Freeman still going well, but will know more after his visit.

Should an agent overrule the kid and his dad?

 

[My VOLS are huge]

Cracker barrel has to move around some reservations. They need to be better.

Cant we just reserve the back side of the whole restaurant and have it to ourselves.? Pull the checkerboard from in front of the fireplace and put it over there too

 

[Cosmo Kramer]

Cracker barrel has to move around some reservations. They need to be better.

Give me the Momma's Pancake Breakfast and a Coors Light. The Golf Tee Pyramid game also.

 

[therickbol]

Should an agent overrule the kid and his dad?

That agent does not overrule anyone. He is the expert in negotiating a contract. He is telling them how to best maneuver the negotiations. The family has the decision to go wherever they want.

 

[omghulkhands]

That agent does not overrule anyone. He is the expert in negotiating a contract. He is telling them how to best maneuver the negotiations. The family has the decision to go wherever they want.

Yup. You don’t hire an agent or attorney and then not listen to them.

 

[Legion of Doom]

Lamar Wilkerson should be the fall back option for Rice.

 

[LibertyVol]

What about imaging ZZ and Gainey in year 3 together then? At least both of them WANT to be Vols without question.

To be clear I want Rice...but I don't think he's worth paying 3m a year to land. Cause if all goes well Ja'Kobi should be getting drafted after this season.

And ZZ and Gainey went to an Elite 8. The Maryland boys did not.