Transfer Portal for 2023

#1
NighthawkVol

NighthawkVol

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#1
As much as winning is helping and will continue to help with "traditional" recruiting of high schoolers and JUCOs, I think it may have an even bigger impact on the transfer portal guys. Those guys may be weighing immediate program success more heavily than a high school kid because they'll be around for a shorter amount of time and can't wait around to "build."

Tennessee didn't have the portal success we hoped for last offseason, and certainly not the same success in the portal that we had with the traditional "recruiting class." Although getting McCoy and Mincey was important, we whiffed on some RBs, DBs, and DEs we were hoping to land. I think my theory about on the field success being more important to portal guys is born out in the way Bama and other big time schools had success.

That said, with our progress on the field, I'd expect Tennessee to do much better in the portal this offseason and use it to apply immediate fixes to our biggest needs. I'd look for UT to go after the following, in order of priority:

1) DB (Safety and Corner)
2) LB
3) RB (may be less of a priority if Sampson comes along over the course of the season)
4) TE
5) OT

That said, I wonder who might be available at those positions? I look at schools who are struggling and/or likely to fire a coach and wonder if they have guys at those spots who might leave. Are there guys we could grab at those positions at Auburn, Georgia Tech, Nebraska, Colorado, or West Virginia? What about mid-majors players who might be looking to make a jump up (like Verse last year)?
 
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#5
#5
i think we'll be way more active in the portal, much earlier this year vs last year. we simply couldn't last year. but i definitely think we need DB, LB for sure. OT and RB, for sure. and then you just look for best players available and see what you can get. i'm not overly concerned about TE, but that may be that "best player available" deal....cause there are some good ones out there, and i'd imagine some of them may be looking around?

anyway, i think with the season we're having, and that could unfold by season's end, there will be guys looking at TN as a destination for their last year or 2 of eligibility. Still loads of opportunity to come in and compete here.
 
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#6
#6
GregAmsler said:
As much as winning is helping and will continue to help with "traditional" recruiting of high schoolers and JUCOs, I think it may have an even bigger impact on the transfer portal guys. Those guys may be weighing immediate program success more heavily than a high school kid because they'll be around for a shorter amount of time and can't wait around to "build."

Tennessee didn't have the portal success we hoped for last offseason, and certainly not the same success in the portal that we had with the traditional "recruiting class." Although getting McCoy and Mincey was important, we whiffed on some RBs, DBs, and DEs we were hoping to land. I think my theory about on the field success being more important to portal guys is born out in the way Bama and other big time schools had success.

That said, with our progress on the field, I'd expect Tennessee to do much better in the portal this offseason and use it to apply immediate fixes to our biggest needs. I'd look for UT to go after the following, in order of priority:

1) DB (Safety and Corner)
2) LB
3) RB (may be less of a priority if Sampson comes along over the course of the season)
4) TE
5) OT

That said, I wonder who might be available at those positions? I look at schools who are struggling and/or likely to fire a coach and wonder if they have guys at those spots who might leave. Are there guys we could grab at those positions at Auburn, Georgia Tech, Nebraska, Colorado, or West Virginia? What about mid-majors players who might be looking to make a jump up (like Verse last year)?
Click to expand...


They didn’t have the so called success with it bc of the investigation. It wasn’t because they didn’t want to. They’ll be in a good spot for it this time around. The time should be right.
 
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#7
#7
jakez4ut said:
i think we'll be way more active in the portal, much earlier this year vs last year. we simply couldn't last year. but i definitely think we need DB, LB for sure. OT and RB, for sure. and then you just look for best players available and see what you can get. i'm not overly concerned about TE, but that may be that "best player available" deal....cause there are some good ones out there, and i'd imagine some of them may be looking around?

anyway, i think with the season we're having, and that could unfold by season's end, there will be guys looking at TN as a destination for their last year or 2 of eligibility. Still loads of opportunity to come in and compete here.
Click to expand...

Warren should return with his Covid year and be the starter. I think we need another TE for depth. I know we have Ethan Davis committed, but he’ll be a freshman.
 
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#8
#8
Nailed the needs on the head I think. Defense depth everywhere with our offensive system is absolutely critical but DBs and LB depth seem to be a major need.

I expect us to be major players with priority WR/TEs too.. tough to imagine a pass catcher watching our games and not getting excited. There's a reason we've seen ascensions from Velus Jones Jr (not an nfl prospect after 4 years at USC), Cedric Tillman (4 career catches before JH), Hyatt.. ect
 
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#9
#9
GregAmsler said:
As much as winning is helping and will continue to help with "traditional" recruiting of high schoolers and JUCOs, I think it may have an even bigger impact on the transfer portal guys. Those guys may be weighing immediate program success more heavily than a high school kid because they'll be around for a shorter amount of time and can't wait around to "build."

Tennessee didn't have the portal success we hoped for last offseason, and certainly not the same success in the portal that we had with the traditional "recruiting class." Although getting McCoy and Mincey was important, we whiffed on some RBs, DBs, and DEs we were hoping to land. I think my theory about on the field success being more important to portal guys is born out in the way Bama and other big time schools had success.

That said, with our progress on the field, I'd expect Tennessee to do much better in the portal this offseason and use it to apply immediate fixes to our biggest needs. I'd look for UT to go after the following, in order of priority:

1) DB (Safety and Corner)
2) LB
3) RB (may be less of a priority if Sampson comes along over the course of the season)
4) TE
5) OT

That said, I wonder who might be available at those positions? I look at schools who are struggling and/or likely to fire a coach and wonder if they have guys at those spots who might leave. Are there guys we could grab at those positions at Auburn, Georgia Tech, Nebraska, Colorado, or West Virginia? What about mid-majors players who might be looking to make a jump up (like Verse last year)?
Click to expand...

They like the DBS from transfer portal last year, as well as the 2023 class of DBs.

TE on the other hand is a severe concern.
OT as well.
Stallings , year-2 Justin JWT, and 3rd year Jaylen Wright might be enough to give UT that power threat in our backfield.

But OT and TE are scary scary thin. Those are two positions in this offense that you really should not trot a freshman into.
 
#10
#10
VOLS are a much more attractive team now for portal transfers due to having a program on the rise/ winning team and National Recognition. Reel em' in !!!!!
Having a good coach/ AD helps greatly!!! Stability matters to recruits.
 
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#11
#11
GregAmsler said:
Warren should return with his Covid year and be the starter. I think we need another TE for depth. I know we have Ethan Davis committed, but he’ll be a freshman.
Click to expand...
so i know Miles Cambell has struggled, but i had really high hopes for him, seemed like a high ceiling prospect. surely it's not completely over for him, is it?
 
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#17
#17
LittleVol said:
They like the DBS from transfer portal last year, as well as the 2023 class of DBs.

TE on the other hand is a severe concern.
OT as well.
Stallings , year-2 Justin JWT, and 3rd year Jaylen Wright might be enough to give UT that power threat in our backfield.

But OT and TE are scary scary thin. Those are two positions in this offense that you really should not trot a freshman into.
Click to expand...

Mincey should be the starting LT and Crawford the starting RT next year. After that, we need Perry, Parker, Grant, Davis to develop. Even just 2 of those guys developing into SEC quality OTs would be big. Davis may be what he's always going to be, but the other 3 have high upsides.
 
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#20
#20
GregAmsler said:
As much as winning is helping and will continue to help with "traditional" recruiting of high schoolers and JUCOs, I think it may have an even bigger impact on the transfer portal guys. Those guys may be weighing immediate program success more heavily than a high school kid because they'll be around for a shorter amount of time and can't wait around to "build."

Tennessee didn't have the portal success we hoped for last offseason, and certainly not the same success in the portal that we had with the traditional "recruiting class." Although getting McCoy and Mincey was important, we whiffed on some RBs, DBs, and DEs we were hoping to land. I think my theory about on the field success being more important to portal guys is born out in the way Bama and other big time schools had success.

That said, with our progress on the field, I'd expect Tennessee to do much better in the portal this offseason and use it to apply immediate fixes to our biggest needs. I'd look for UT to go after the following, in order of priority:

1) DB (Safety and Corner)
2) LB
3) RB (may be less of a priority if Sampson comes along over the course of the season)
4) TE
5) OT

That said, I wonder who might be available at those positions? I look at schools who are struggling and/or likely to fire a coach and wonder if they have guys at those spots who might leave. Are there guys we could grab at those positions at Auburn, Georgia Tech, Nebraska, Colorado, or West Virginia? What about mid-majors players who might be looking to make a jump up (like Verse last year)?
Click to expand...

Great discussion, especially during the bye week. IMO it's almost impossible to know what the actual needs are going to be because I expect this December/Portal period to be completely and utterly batsh!t crazy. We may see UT players we never expected in the portal and at the same time dozens of high level non-UT players available as well. I would assume NIL will play a HUGE role, in terms of both keeping current guys happy and also luring prospective players. Plus, as you mentioned, we're going to be very attractive just from the standpoint of likely coming off a big year and having a team that could compete yet again for some championships.

That said, I would agree with your list given the way the roster stands today. IMO even if Sampson comes on we'll need at least one RB just for depth, but he's the only guy you look at and think "he's a homerun hitter who could take this offense" that we have. If you could land a guy like that you do it, IMO. From there it's about added overall depth, creating more competition (by adding equivalent talent to what we have) or, ideally, adding players who are flat out better than what we currently have.
 
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#21
#21
jvols1999 said:
Great discussion, especially during the bye week. IMO it's almost impossible to know what the actual needs are going to be because I expect this December/Portal period to be completely and utterly batsh!t crazy. We may see UT players we never expected in the portal and at the same time dozens of high level non-UT players available as well. I would assume NIL will play a HUGE role, in terms of both keeping current guys happy and also luring prospective players. Plus, as you mentioned, we're going to be very attractive just from the standpoint of likely coming off a big year and having a team that could compete yet again for some championships.

That said, I would agree with your list given the way the roster stands today. IMO even if Sampson comes on we'll need at least one RB just for depth, but he's the only guy you look at and think "he's a homerun hitter who could take this offense" that we have. If you could land a guy like that you do it, IMO. From there it's about added overall depth, creating more competition (by adding equivalent talent to what we have) or, ideally, adding players who are flat out better than what we currently have.
Click to expand...

Imagine if we'd landed a Zach Evans or Jahmir Gibbs in the portal before this season.

Gibbs only has 25 attempts in 4 games. His attempts have dropped as the season has gone on...9, 9, 4, 3.

Maybe he should've gone to UT?
 
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#22
#22
GregAmsler said:
As much as winning is helping and will continue to help with "traditional" recruiting of high schoolers and JUCOs, I think it may have an even bigger impact on the transfer portal guys. Those guys may be weighing immediate program success more heavily than a high school kid because they'll be around for a shorter amount of time and can't wait around to "build."

Tennessee didn't have the portal success we hoped for last offseason, and certainly not the same success in the portal that we had with the traditional "recruiting class." Although getting McCoy and Mincey was important, we whiffed on some RBs, DBs, and DEs we were hoping to land. I think my theory about on the field success being more important to portal guys is born out in the way Bama and other big time schools had success.

That said, with our progress on the field, I'd expect Tennessee to do much better in the portal this offseason and use it to apply immediate fixes to our biggest needs. I'd look for UT to go after the following, in order of priority:

1) DB (Safety and Corner)
2) LB
3) RB (may be less of a priority if Sampson comes along over the course of the season)
4) TE
5) OT

That said, I wonder who might be available at those positions? I look at schools who are struggling and/or likely to fire a coach and wonder if they have guys at those spots who might leave. Are there guys we could grab at those positions at Auburn, Georgia Tech, Nebraska, Colorado, or West Virginia? What about mid-majors players who might be looking to make a jump up (like Verse last year)?
Click to expand...

This is contributing to my head scratching concerning how the staff is allocating and pursuing commitments from the HS ranks. How many open spots will the portal create, and how many solutions will we hold for that will limit our signing day numbers. Not having a good feel for the number of slots we will have to fill to get up to 85 has me so confused. Are we slow playing some of those we discuss on this site? Are we just remaining in the hunt strategically to try and trigger offers from other schools or to not damage relationships with some programs and coaches? Don't have a clue.
 
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#24
#24
GregAmsler said:
Imagine if we'd landed a Zach Evans or Jahmir Gibbs in the portal before this season.

Gibbs only has 25 attempts in 4 games. His attempts have dropped as the season has gone on...9, 9, 4, 3.

Maybe he should've gone to UT?
Click to expand...
I watched Gibbs play against Texas and came away saying “that’s the first time Bama hasn’t had a physical runner”
Dude seems to be scared to take a hit. Maybe I didn’t see enough games but man.
however just using him in the screen game or in space would be nice to see. He would of fit better here.
 
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