2025 Transfer Portal Thread

[bleedingTNorange]

For me, I don’t want to create potential drama later on and left with no options.

You bring ZZ back, what happens with JG? He wants to play PG. He didn’t come here last year because of that. You bring ZZ back, you risk losing him then you’re in a situation where you have ZZ, Gainey, Ament, Carey, Okpara.

Who’s the backups? By that time most of the decent portal players are taken.

Gillespie can’t transfer without having to sit out at that point, so he’s gonna leave and sit out a year?

 

[Geronimo]

I say we close with Ament at 3 and this dude at the 2.and roll on.

Bonus: We are already paying him well.

 

[InVOLuntary]

It’s just a piece of a complicated puzzle, but there is growing optimism that the NCAA will fold in time for last year’s seniors to play.

I'm not sure they'll have an option if the judge rules against them next week.

 

[TheMookieMonster]

Gillespie can’t transfer without having to sit out at that point, so he’s gonna leave and sit out a year?

I obviously have no insider information, but I would be shocked if Barnes didn’t discuss the possibility of ZZ being back with Gillespie before taking his commitment. I doubt Barnes would try to pull a fast one on a player like that. Not his style.

 

[bleedingTNorange]

Okay is this better… it’s extremely and i mean extremely unlikely

Sure, now curious on your basis? You think a 5th year doesn’t get passed? Or you think that one/neither of those guys are interested in another year at Tennessee? Or is it you think Tennessee is not interested in either guy getting another year here?

 

[bleedingTNorange]

I obviously have no insider information, but I would be shocked if Barnes didn’t discuss the possibility of ZZ being back with Gillespie before taking his commitment. I doubt Barnes would try to pull a fast one on a player like that. Not his style.

Correct, and after the Willard debacle, Gillespie probably appreciates honesty and transparency

 

[TrippieRedd]

I obviously have no insider information, but I would be shocked if Barnes didn’t discuss the possibility of ZZ being back with Gillespie before taking his commitment. I doubt Barnes would try to pull a fast one on a player like that. Not his style.

But we heard we’ve been recruiting as if that rule isn’t getting approved. So I don’t know

Guess it’s likely

 

[VolOnthePlains]

I would vastly prefer Ament over Freeman, but I want both. There’s a difference. I’m not freaking out over losing Freeman, I just don’t want to run into an issue with depth again this year.

But if it’s now pretty common knowledge that we’re landing Ament, do you think that in addition to the bigger $ offer and Baker-Mazara portaling adds up to a better scenario for Freeman?

And if we’re getting one or the other I’m taking Ament all day every day and twice on Sundays

 

[Stoerner Fumbles]

I'm not sure they'll have an option if the judge rules against them next week.

I’m walking a line here as I don’t want to be dismissive, but it has to be approved by the NCAA and the conferences and there are a long list of rulings below the eligibility requirement. Some people believe it will immediately be appealed if NJ rules this way. Others believe it will kick off a series of events prior to Summer SEC meetings, forcing a vote that mirrors the judges ruling. I don’t know anyone who knows what will happen with any degree of confidence.

 

[McGeesPub]

I would vastly prefer Ament over Freeman, but I want both. There’s a difference. I’m not freaking out over losing Freeman, I just don’t want to run into an issue with depth again this year.

I would just hate for him to go to f’n Auburn.

 

[TheMookieMonster]

Correct, and after the Willard debacle, Gillespie probably appreciates honesty and transparency

It’s also not like Barnes doesn’t have tape to prove a 2 PG system can work. He just has to point to the Chandler/Ziegler team that won a SEC tournament title and grabbed a 3-seed (should have been a 2-seed).

 

[Weezer]

There's supposed to be a federal judge in New Jersey rule that the NCAA's rule on 5 years of eligibility won't be allowed. Unlimited eligibility will be the ruling. This is supposed to come down this coming week.

If we get unlimited eligibility, I hear the Suns are looking to trade Durant....

 

[OrangeBeachVol]

Baker-Mazara is good but he also has issues. Remember the several technicals he got this past season for retaliations. Not sure he would fit in Barnes world.

 

[CamVol8]

Sure, now curious on your basis? You think a 5th year doesn’t get passed? Or you think that one/neither of those guys are interested in another year at Tennessee? Or is it you think Tennessee is not interested in either guy getting another year here?

Tennessee obviously wants both back. I believe Gainey would be back 100%. ZZ is prob 60/40 in favor of yes. But yeah the 5th year isn’t happening. I trust a few people who have said this since the season ended and they haven’t changed their tune one bit.

 

[VOL720]

Are we recruiting RJ Lewis? I see he's visiting Auburn. If Pettiford returns and they add Freeman along with Lewis they would be dangerous possibly another Final Four run. We needed to get to the Final Four this season. I feel like that is giving Auburn an edge in recruiting. They are putting together a very good roster. Ament, come lead us to our first Final Four!

 

[TrippieRedd]

I’m walking a line here as I don’t want to be dismissive, but it has to be approved by the NCAA and the conferences and there are a long list of rulings below the eligibility requirement. Some people believe it will immediately be appealed if NJ rules this way. Others believe it will kick off a series of events prior to Summer SEC meetings, forcing a vote that mirrors the judges ruling. I don’t know anyone who knows what will happen with any degree of confidence.

You can answer, unless you already have.

Has RB mentioned ZZ coming back to Gillespie. Just to end my nonsense

 

[SN-A-C Orange]

These aren’t related, just presenting a hypothetical for conversation, would you rather…

Option A: Nate Ament, Zakai Zeigler, Jordan Gainey & Alex Chaikin

Option B: Rodney Rice, Elyjah Freeman, Alex Chaikin, Rakease Passmore

Fair enough!
If those are the cards AND I can only pick one stack or the or the other...I choose stack A.
For me it is not really that close.

At some point you have to play the cards you are dealt.
Life is NOT fair! Learn to deal with it!
If these young men (and perhaps, their families) are primarily concerned about the green... they are not as wise as they could be. Lot more things more important than the mean green.

 

[D3Athlete]

Are we recruiting RJ Lewis? I see he's visiting Auburn. If Pettiford returns and they add Freeman along with Lewis they would be dangerous possibly another Final Four run. We needed to get to the Final Four this season. I feel like that is giving Auburn an edge in recruiting. They are putting together a very good roster. Ament, come lead us to our first Final Four!

No. That NIL is insane and possibility of nba too

 

[Stoerner Fumbles]

I obviously have no insider information, but I would be shocked if Barnes didn’t discuss the possibility of ZZ being back with Gillespie before taking his commitment. I doubt Barnes would try to pull a fast one on a player like that. Not his style.

Barnes told all the Seniors to proceed with their lives as though the rule won’t change. So far, Gainey and ZZ have not. I think their belief is that a single NIL deal would top a European deal by a good amount. As far as Gillespie goes, you don’t have that conversation unless it becomes reality. It sure would be weird to see ZZ play somewhere else, but he’d definitely be a desired piece on a team. I know both St. Johns and Nova have contacted him. Whatever Mashack does next probably won’t be here. As I’ve said before, the highest odds returner is Gainey.

 

[TrippieRedd]

Barnes told all the Seniors to proceed with their lives as though the rule won’t change. So far, Gainey and ZZ have not. I think their belief is that a single NIL deal would top a European deal by a good amount. As far as Gillespie goes, you don’t have that conversation unless it becomes reality. It sure would be weird to see ZZ play somewhere else, but he’d definitely be a desired piece on a team. I know both St. Johns and Nova have contacted him. Whatever Mashack does next probably won’t be here. As I’ve said before, the highest odds returner is Gainey.

I figured they didn’t have a convo yet.

Thanks SF!

 

[Stoerner Fumbles]

You can answer, unless you already have.

Has RB mentioned ZZ coming back to Gillespie. Just to end my nonsense

Just answered in another post. They didn’t address it in his recruitment because it was long odds then. I don’t know about now, but assume you don’t upset anything until it’s a real documented possibility.

 

[VolFan_stuck_in_the_901]

Barnes told all the Seniors to proceed with their lives as though the rule won’t change. So far, Gainey and ZZ have not. I think their belief is that a single NIL deal would top a European deal by a good amount. As far as Gillespie goes, you don’t have that conversation unless it becomes reality. It sure would be weird to see ZZ play somewhere else, but he’d definitely be a desired piece on a team. I know both St. Johns and Nova have contacted him. Whatever Mashack does next probably won’t be here. As I’ve said before, the highest odds returner is Gainey.

And I'd be fine w/Gainey returning; it wouldn't mess up what we got going on with Gillespie because Gainey both knows and accepts his role (6th man microwave scorer off the bench). I love ZZ, but if he comes back he will not want to be the backup PG, and considering CRB looks at him like a son I highly doubt he would bench him.

 

[JacketVol]

Wow wtf. That’s an epic collapse from our staff if we miss on both Freeman and Rice… guess i shouldn’t be shocked tho

Is it a collapse or is it another school being stupid and we are being smart. What happens if you pay Rice twice what you have G getting? You have to build the entire roster and if not with Freeman and Rice, it will be someone else.

 

[JacketVol]

It’s the recurring theme with nearly every guy and that’s what is beyond frustrating. It happened with Chaz last year with BYU and Kentucky. Both had higher offers but thankfully for us he was from Tennessee and wanted to be here so he took less. Same deal with Jakobi getting offered nearly double from Nova. I’m not sure if our staff is surprised when this happens? Idk it’s a simple solution, you either pay up or we miss on our top targets and then act convince ourself we’re fine

Well, we have been pretty good.

 

[bleedingTNorange]

Tennessee obviously wants both back. I believe Gainey would be back 100%. ZZ is prob 60/40 in favor of yes. But yeah the 5th year isn’t happening. I trust a few people who have said this since the season ended and they haven’t changed their tune one bit.

Gotcha, not sure how anyone can be sure of what the ncaa will ever do. Most everyone I have seen said they think it happens, just kind of unclear when, but as others have said there’s now multiple lawsuits out trying to force the NCAA’s hand a bit.