2026 Vols Transfer Portal Thread

[MinisterofDef#92]

Indications getting strong that Tanner will demand a budget breaking number from Vandy, or just jump and test portal waters vs NBA. We’re real deep in on this one, and the goal would be to close on it prior to next weekend. If it goes for more than a few days, our odds will drop. We’ve been doing a pretty complicated scenario planning thing with his agent, and I feel like we have a big leg up.

I'm sure Vandy is trying to circle the wagons with a few big boosters given this and all the Byington talk. Glad to hear we seem to be in a good spot as of now and - hope it's done one way or the other quickly so it doesn't put us in tough spot playing the waiting game which has bitten us in the past.

 

[JRVOL11]

if they can pull this tanner thing off, oh my

 

[Namorto1]

Not sure how I missed Dowd playing the 3 for Troy.

Wonder if we go big again next season and have Lundblade be a 6th man spark off the bench….kinda like Lamonte was. He led us in 3PT%, 3PT made, and averaged 10ish points.

F: Dowd
F: Estrella
C: Okpara Replacement

6th man: Lundblade

I would guess it depends on the 5. If Cyril than definitely.

I hope UT does swing for the fences for Barnes. On video, Dowd looks reasonably quick with decent handle. Enthusiastic high energy player on the court who can do everything (good perimeter shooter and great rebounder). His performance against major division teams hasn’t been great with maybe 1 exception but I can see why our coaches would like him. Let’s get him in the fold.

 

[Cosmo Kramer]

33 to 40 percent of projected, but boosters have signed on to flex in certain situations.

 

[CornbreadVol]

Tanner, Dowd, and Lundblade would be such a great start. Just add a 5 and another scoring guard and we are cooking with grease.

 

[Buddy’s Bandit]

Think it was meant in the sense that the number Tanner will demand would break Vandy’s budget, not necessarily our budget, meaning Tennessee has a bigger budget than Vanderbilt.

I would think if Vandy wants to keep him, they can and will.

 

[johnfnkelly]

I would think if Vandy wants to keep him, they can and will.

100%. Seems we’re getting our hopes up for nothing. If $ is the only deciding factor, they’re gonna give him what he wants.

 

[StepCross]

33 to 40 percent of projected, but boosters have signed on to flex in certain situations.

Based on this, my guess is he wants 5 and we project to spend 15

 

[Bigorangefan 98]

Based on this, my guess is he wants 5 and we project to spend

100%. Seems we’re getting our hopes up for nothing. If $ is the only deciding factor, they’re gonna give him what he wants.

we want him

Bad enough. We will
Match their at least

100%. Seems we’re getting our hopes up for nothing. If $ is the only deciding factor, they’re gonna give him what he want

 

[volunteerfan94]

100%. Seems we’re getting our hopes up for nothing. If $ is the only deciding factor, they’re gonna give him what he wants.

Feels like the Ty Simpson of Basketball Portal Cycle. I’d love it, but ain’t getting my hopes up.

 

[Lankykong]

100%. Seems we’re getting our hopes up for nothing. If $ is the only deciding factor, they’re gonna give him what he wants.

I think if he takes up 60-75% of their budget they can’t justify that. I don’t think Vandy spends as much as UT on sports because they care about them less, and they’re still trying to be good at football

 

[JRVOL11]

 

[CLT MAN]

if we aren't looking at getting one of these 7'+ monsters on our roster, than we aren't serious about getting to the final four. I'd even like to see us get a bit more height at the #4 spot.

Anton Bonke 2025-26 Stats per Game - NCAAM - ESPN

The 2025-26 NCAAM season stats per game for Anton Bonke of the Charlotte 49ers on ESPN. Includes full stats, per opponent, for regular and postseason.

www.espn.com

There are a lot of good bigs in the portal already. We've got options other than guys who struggle to stay healthy and make layups.

Bonke? Seriously? The Vols don’t wanna do this.

 

[Volpatine]

Love to pull Tanner…he gives me Kemba Walker vibes…he absolutely willed Vandy to stay in that Nebraska game. It should not have been that close at the end.

 

[Yeiser10]

Tanner, Dowd, and Lundblade would be such a great start. Just add a 5 and another scoring guard and we are cooking with grease.

Just add a 5 and Rice.. let’s ride

 

[TheMookieMonster]

100%. Seems we’re getting our hopes up for nothing. If $ is the only deciding factor, they’re gonna give him what he wants.

I don’t think it’s nothing. I’m not a believer that we actually land him, but I don’t think it’s surprising he’s asking for a big number and I disagree that Vandy will pay whatever they have to in order to keep him. If he stays, he probably stay at Vandy on a discount. Their budget isn’t on par with other schools.

 

[therickbol]

I think it gets a little more complicated than "Vandy will just pay him whatever he is asking for" because there is an entire roster to fill out. Imagine they do pay him his asking price, will he be content to play on that Vandy roster without the help he needs to be a great team? Because the reality is that if they him a large NIL then they will NOT also open the piggy bank for the rest of the roster. It will be a roster where he takes up half of the entire NIL budget and is surrounded by budget role players. Is that a situation he wants to be in?

 

[Bigorangefan 98]

I love see our backcourt of tanner and rice …. Let’s roll

 

[MoCo_Vol]

Essentially would be paying Tanner basically Nate money, and I think he’s definitely worth that.

Would allow Lundblade to fill a similar role to Tyler Nickel at Vandy too.

 

[Stoerner Fumbles]

Based on this, my guess is he wants 5 and we project to spend 15

Don’t get your crayons out yet. It might be better than that.

 

[johnfnkelly]

Essentially would be paying Tanner basically Nate money, and I think he’s definitely worth that.

Would allow Lundblade to fill a similar role to Tyler Nickel at Vandy too.

He’s worth more than that tbh.

 

[JelloPuddinPup]

Don’t get your crayons out yet. It might be better than that.

I love a good snack.

 

[Stoerner Fumbles]

I love a good snack.

Always bring along paste, for dipping.

 

[JelloPuddinPup]

Always bring along paste, for dipping.

I figured that was assumed…

 

[VolsNetClippers2025]

Assuming some departures, Tanner/Lundblade/Dowd + Rice and a backup 5 would be the ideal situation, think that might get too expensive for us. Might mean we lose Carey and one or two of Boswell/Burg/Henderson.

But this is pretty nice, probably still too expensive? I don't even know any more:

Tanner
Rice
Lundblade
Dowd
Estrella
-
Evans
Burg
Brown
Backup 5
-
Henderson
Scott
Green
Clark
-
Walk-on
Walk-on