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NCAA Transfer Portal Needs that Must Be Addressed by Tennessee Football

Tennessee Volunteers must address these positions in the transfer portal

Caleb Sisk

Nov 23, 2024; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Rivera Williams, 11, high-fives Tennessee Volunteers mascot Smokey during the Vol Walk before a game against the UTEP Miners at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Angelina Alcantar/USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images
Nov 23, 2024; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Rivera Williams, 11, high-fives Tennessee Volunteers mascot Smokey during the Vol Walk before a game against the UTEP Miners at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Angelina Alcantar/USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images / Angelina Alcantar/USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images
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Tennessee Volunteers must address these positions in the transfer portal

The Tennessee Volunteers have to address many needs this Spring after facing an underwhelming Winter portal performance. The Vols added only four players in the Winter after losing 18 players to the portal alone. That also doesn't include the NFL Draft and graduation, which poached many Vols from the roster.

The Vols added Star Thomas, Amari Jefferson, Sam Pendleton, and Wendell Moe Jr in their efforts, but many believe that wasn't enough. Here are some positions the Vols must address in the transfer portal.

NCAA Transfer Portal Needs that Must Be Addressed by Tennessee Football

Quarterback

The Tennessee Volunteers have lost one player to the portal already before the window has even opened. Of course, that player is Nico Iamaleava, as news and reports circulated less than 72 hours after the negotiation reports that he would be entering the portal. These plans came after Josh Heupel made a respective decision to move on.

Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava during Tennessee's game against Chattanooga in Neyland Stadium in Knoxville on Saturday,
Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava during Tennessee's game against Chattanooga in Neyland Stadium in Knoxville on Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024. / Brianna Paciorka / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The Vols have two active QBs on the roster, as they have Jake Merklinger and George MacIntyre. Merklinger is the veteran out of the two, but isn't a freshman. He is entering his second season with the Vols after redshirting last season. This will be his redshirt-freshman season with the Vols. MacIntyre had an awesome Spring game performance, but is a true freshman.

George MacIntyr
Tennessee quarterback George MacIntyre (15) attempts to run into the end zone for a touchdown during the Orange & White spring game in Neyland Stadium, Saturday, April 12, 2025. / Caitie McMekin/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The Vols need to add a QB this portal season. They will likely only add one, but you can't enter a season with only two bodies in the QB room without playing with fire. One injury and the season could be completely done for. The Vols will be better off going and getting a veteran starter or a veteran body overall, so they can have someone that Merklinger and MacIntyre can learn from. While nothing has been announced, it is very clear the Vols will be targeting the QB position this Spring because if they don't, they will be in very big trouble.

Wide Receiver

The Vols will be without many of their wide receivers from last season. They will be without Bru McCoy and Dont'e Thornton Jr, who will both be leaving for the NFL due to loss of eligibility. As for the portal, they lost Dayton Sneed, who wasn't expected to have a large impact ahead of the Spring game. In the Winter, the Vols lost too many bodies for comfort. They lost Squirrel White, Kaleb Webb, Chas Nimrod, Nathan Leacock, and Nate Spillman.

Dont'e Thornto
Nov 30, 2024; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers wide receiver Dont'e Thornton Jr. (1) blows a kiss to the Tennessee Volunteers fans in the stands after his touchdown catch against the Vanderbilt Commodores during the first half at FirstBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images / Steve Roberts-Imagn Images

The Vols currently have Chris Brazzell, Mike Matthews, and Braylon Staley, who are expected to be the starters. All three wide receivers are returning from last season, with Staley and Matthews entering their second college football season. Brazzell will be entering his second season with the Vols after having a successful college career early on as a starter for Tulane. The Vols also have three incoming freshmen coming in with Travis Smith Jr, Radarious Jackson, and Joakim Dodson. The only other addition made was adding Jefferson from the Alabama Crimson Tide, which looked like a solid addition, however, he was hurt last season and will be playing his first college game overall as a Vol.

Chris Brazzel
Sep 14, 2024; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers wide receiver Chris Brazzell II (17) catches a pass for a touchdown against the Kent State Golden Flashes at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-Imagn Images / Randy Sartin-Imagn Images

Tennessee is in desperate need of not only one wide receiver, but maybe even two. They at least need one with the hopes of either getting an elite young player or a reliable veteran. The Vols' oldest veteran in the system has been Brazzell, who hasn't been in college for too long. A veteran name would be huge for the Vols, as by next season majority of the guys will be locked into the system.

Offensive Line

The Vols didn't lose much at the offensive line in the transfer portal as they lost Vysen Lang to Troy, and that was it, however, the Vols did lose four starters and one part-time starter to graduation and the NFL draft. The Vols lost Andrej Karic, Cooper Mays, John Campbell, Dayne Davis, and Javontez Spraggins. This sets up for a bad recipe if you're looking for success.

Cooper May
Tennessee offensive lineman Cooper Mays (63) runs onto the field during senior day ceremonies ahead of the NCAA college football game against UTEP on Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Knoxville, Tenn. / Angelina Alcantar/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The Vols did partially address these needs by adding Pendleton and Moe, but this room still feels incomplete. Luckily the Vols do have David Sanders, Antoni Kade Ogumoro, and Nic Moore in town out of high school.

Tennessee offensive lineman David Sanders Jr. (70) stretches during Tennessee football practice, at University of Tennessee,
Tennessee offensive lineman David Sanders Jr. (70) stretches during Tennessee football practice, at University of Tennessee, Tuesday, March 25, 2025. / Caitie McMekin/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

This room still needs more. The Vols could absolutely use maybe one to two more pieces. While these don't have to be immediate starters, it would be nice to see some guys who will give Tennessee more to their open competition. Some veteran presence on the outside or even at center could be great for the Vols.

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