2026 Vols Transfer Portal Thread

[TrapVol]

I didnt see enough from Evans or Burg to warrant them being key pieces. WhyBrown absolutely needs to be a central part of what we do but those other two I wouldn’t overspend for.

I respectfully disagree on Evans. Don’t forget, he was only a freshman, and there were a few games we probably don’t win without him stepping up.

 

[Col_Cathcart]

Does anyone have a sense for what vandys budget looks like vs ours? Some comments earlier suggested we could outbid for tanner but I hadn’t seen any ballpark numbers for them posted

 

[oldaaucoach]

They did up his offer, they weren’t gonna go to $3m for Estrella, nor should they have IMO…I think for $2.5-$3m you can absolutely get Tiller

As much as I like JP, if the money were the same, I would go with Tiller. But I view Tiller as a JP replacement at the 4, I believe we would still need an Okpara replacement at the 5. If we want to compete with the big boys of Michigan, UCONN, Illinois, and Arizona we need to be bigger at the 4 and 5 than Dowd/Tiller.

 

[walkenvol]

Thanks for the info. How long have you been JP’s agent. JP is not a “really good” player. He is a slightly above average player who is injury prone. His defense is below average. I hate to see him go but he can be replaced.

I’m not JP’s agent, friend nor family member and I can’t disagree with you enough concerning JP

 

[VolGee4]

I respectfully disagree on Evans. Don’t forget, he was only a freshman, and there were a few games we probably don’t win without him stepping up.

Yes. I definitely want him. Good defender with better offense than Boswell. Aggressive and will probably improve his 3 point shot. Not sure what some of our fans watch.

 

[MinisterofDef#92]

Estrella wasn’t gonna be $1.5m here next year, more like $2.5 minimum…in reality that’s $2.5m for a 4 man in a 5 man’s body in a system that doesn’t really fit that style and a guy who hasn’t been able to stay healthy going back around 4 years after his growth spurt. They’d have loved to have him here, but everyone has a number attached to them for what the staff thinks they can get someone else for essentially.

But many posters were up in arms over $1+ MM

 

[TrapVol]

Yes. I definitely want him. Good defender with better offense than Boswell. Aggressive and will probably improve his 3 point shot. Not sure what some of our fans watch.

Good points. I also believe people would be talking about him even more had we not gotten Ament, who definitely took a good chunk of his minutes.

 

[VOLtaism]

The 3 who are entering and maybe Carey are replaceable players, good but not elite. Plenty of replacements out there. The problem is replacing Gillespie and Ament, elite players. They are also out there as everyone with an agent will be in the portal. Can we get them? We do well but always seem to fall just short of what we need. We especially need guys who can create their own shot or drive hard to the basket when the play runs dead. So many times we end up on the wing, off dribble, looking for someone to throw it to with 10 seconds left on the clock.

 

[walkenvol]

I would think The Deacon has had discussions with each and has determined, for the money, he can do better in the portal or they would not be leaving. I would bet it will only be a couple days after the portal open that the plans will be fully evident.

I hope our brain trust re-evaluates this market and figures out that they have underestimated the new NIL market values of our returning players which will also mean the prices they were hoping to pay for replacements will be too low. Gonna have to come up with more funds or forget those final four dreams.

 

[Volpatine]

I was just told Evans has moved from “unlikely” to “possible”

Take that however you want to take that

I wish it was more certain but better than before when I made a statement based on a legitimate conversation I had and half VolNation got their panties in a wad.

Update: Evans is considered staying as of 5:45pm est Monday

Guys I’m no insider nor do I want to pretend to be. Like I’ve said before I’m just a fan with a childhood friend who is in the know with basketball. I’m hearing it secondhand and as are all things portal: changes are inevitable and unpredictable.

 

[MinisterofDef#92]

You don't pay guys entering their 4th year with your program on a "what if" though. HS talent you don't have 60 games of footage to evaluate from. They have a # they think JP is worth and that's likely not going to change.

That was my point...right or wrong. I knew coming into this that it would be hard for us to retain JP - we have to trust the staff's assessment

 

[Volprofch05]

Update: Evans is considered staying as of 5:45pm est Monday

Guys I’m no insider nor do I want to pretend to be. Like I’ve said before I’m just a fan with a childhood friend who is in the know with basketball. I’m hearing it secondhand and as are all things portal: changes are inevitable and unpredictable.

Ok, but it’s now 5:53 pm, how about now? Any update?

 

[Volpatine]

Ok, but it’s now 5:53 pm, how about now? Any update?

Exactly!

 

[Volprofch05]

Exactly!

Ok, I’ll pray this deal doesn’t get altered any further

 

[peerless98]

Boswell, J.P., and Phillips are in the portal. Are there others that have announced their plans?

 

[johnfnkelly]

As much as I like JP, if the money were the same, I would go with Tiller. But I view Tiller as a JP replacement at the 4, I believe we would still need an Okpara replacement at the 5. If we want to compete with the big boys of Michigan, UCONN, Illinois, and Arizona we need to be bigger at the 4 and 5 than Dowd/Tiller.

This is where I’m at. I don’t see tiller being an anchor at the 5, but I think he’s the perfect player for us at the 4.

 

[Vols410]

Greedy players and boosters that have more$$$$$ than sense. Sports as we once loves is over.

I mean I won’t speak for agents. There’s obviously a ton of those that are taking advantage of the situation right now.

But if (if is doing a lot of lifting now because none of us know what offers he has on the table) Estrella is getting double to go somewhere else that’s not being greedy. None of us would pass that up.

 

[bleedingTNorange]

This is where I’m at. I don’t see tiller being an anchor at the 5, but I think he’s the perfect player for us at the 4.

Tiller is 6’11” 240, Okpara 6’11” 243…their rebounding and block stats are almost identical, yes he has some perimeter skills but he’s not a 4 and sticking him there would be a disservice to him. He had the switch ability on the defensive end that Barnes loved with Okpara, not saying he couldn’t play some 4, but I see him as a 5.

 

[Vols410]

Tiller is 6’11” 240, Okpara 6’11” 243…their rebounding and block stats are almost identical, yes he has some perimeter skills but he’s not a 4 and sticking him there would be a disservice to him. He had the switch ability on the defensive end that Barnes loved with Okpara, not saying he couldn’t play some 4, but I see him as a 5.

Tiller is gonna be really good with another year. Better than Okpara imo.

 

[omghulkhands]

Tiller is gonna be really good with another year. Better than Okpara imo.

Admittedly I’ve not watched film of him, but his FG% is absurdly bad for a center. Are you sure?

 

[therickbol]

If Tennessee isn't willing to pay market value to retain its core, then I am mildly skeptical they will get into a bidding war to overpay for elite transfers.

My response would be that you are missing the details of how and why these decisions are being made. They are willing to pay $3M for an All-SEC quality center that has the skill-set that fits our system. We are not willing to pay the current center on our team because some combination of not believing he meets those criteria and/or will be healthy enough to merit that price tag. Your assumption that not paying JP the same amount that Indiana is willing to pay him equates to UT not being willing to pay another center $3M is inaccurate. Same with Boswell. We are willing to pay him the value of a 15-20min per game 6th or 7th man (honestly probably pay more than what that true value is because of his culture value) but he has found a team willing to pay him the value of a 30min per game starter. I guarantee you UT will pay an incoming guard more than what Boswell is getting from wherever he ends up.

 

[Vols410]

Admittedly I’ve not watched film of him, but his FG% is absurdly bad for a center. Are you sure?

Spot for spot he wasn’t much worse than Okpara. Shot selection just wasn’t any good. Barnes will get him to the rim more.

 

[oldaaucoach]

Tiller is 6’11” 240, Okpara 6’11” 243…their rebounding and block stats are almost identical, yes he has some perimeter skills but he’s not a 4 and sticking him there would be a disservice to him. He had the switch ability on the defensive end that Barnes loved with Okpara, not saying he couldn’t play some 4, but I see him as a 5.

Even if he is 6'11 (247Sports lists him at 6'10), is that big enough and strong enough to compete with teams like UCONN, Illinois, Arizona, and Michigan? Those final four teams are loaded with the best of the best monster sized bigs. The difference between Fellix Okpara going up against Aday Mara, and Mo Krivas going up against Aday Mara was huge.

 

[therickbol]

Thanks for the info. How long have you been JP’s agent. JP is not a “really good” player. He is a slightly above average player who is injury prone. His defense is below average. I hate to see him go but he can be replaced.

When healthy, JP is much better than slightly above average. Good lawd....

 

[BallerVolFan]

Would like somebody to be hired in Gainey’s spot if we’re gonna be recruiting a whole new team. Need all the hands we can get

Rodney Terry is #1 on my list if possible.