Vols Could Still Add to 2020 on Transfer Market

Tennessee ended up with a Top 10 class in the nation with their haul in the 2020 recruiting cycle. As exciting as that has been for the Volunteers' coaching staff and fan base, there could be more excitement to come. For the majority of their efforts, the Vols have moved on to begin focusing on the 2021 class, but there could still be additions to the 2020 class.

The headliner of the potential additions is Zach Evans, a five-star running back from Houston, TX that has had a wild recruitment. Evans has a visit scheduled to Florida, and the Vols are trying to get him on campus in Knoxville again before he makes his decision. Where the 2020 class gets exceptionally interesting is in the transfer market. The Vols added former five-star offensive lineman Cade Mays from Georgia and former four-star athlete Miles Jones from Nebraska as transfers, as well as wide receiver Velus Jones Jr. as a grad transfer from USC. The Vols may not be done in the transfer market just yet. Here are a few of the potential targets the Vols could add as transfer targets in the 2020 class.

Jabril Cox North Dakota State

Cox entered the transfer portal as a graduate transfer that would have immediate eligibility wherever he decides to enroll. Cox has been a part of the premier FCS program in the nation at NDSU. He has been the centerpiece of a defense that has led the Bison to three consecutive National Titles during his time in Fargo.

At 6'3" 235 pounds, Cox clearly has Power 5 size as a linebacker, and he has the tape to match. NDSU has an excellent defense, and Cox has been the player to push it to nightmare levels for opposing offenses. Cox is a linebacker that has started in a complex defense, has made the calls in that defense, and can do everything asked of a linebacker. Cox is an excellent sideline-to-sideline tackler, fast and fluid enough to cover tight ends and backs, and an excellent blitzer whether attacking the passer or a ball carrier. Cox would likely be a day one starter for the Vols beside Henry To'oto'o, though Cox is capable of playing any linebacker spot, in any front, on every down. The Vols clearly consider Cox a priority, as they currently have Brian Niedermeyer, his potential position coach, as his primary recruiter.

Chase Hayden Arkansas

Hayden is an especially interesting prospect in the grad transfer market for the Vols. Hayden is from Collierville, TN, just outside Memphis. There he starred at St. George's Independent School and was recruited by Tennessee. Ultimately, Hayden decided to head to Arkansas to play for then Hogs coach Brett Bielema instead of the Vols, where his father Aaron Hayden starred at running back. After the firings of Bielema and Chad Morris, Hayden has decided to continue his career at another school rather than weathering another new regime in Fayetteville. He has already come to Tennessee on an official visit as he examines his options on the grad transfer market.

The Vols wanted the 5'10" 200 pound Hayden when he was coming out of high school, and they are interested in him again now. Hayden will be a redshirt junior in the fall, but has two years of immediate eligibility thanks to graduating early. The Vols are looking for depth beyond the fall of 2020 in their running back room, and Hayden provides that. 2020 will be the senior campaign for Ty Chandler and Tim Jordan, and Hayden provides further depth in the running back room in 2020 and 2021. The speedy Hayden is a do-it-all back that is shifty with good hands out of the backfield. He could also influence the recruitment of younger brother Dallan Hayden, a coveted back in the 2022 class from Christian Brothers in Memphis.

Joe Critchlow BYU

The Vols have one of the most crowded Quarterback rooms in the nation right now with returning players like Jarrett Guarantano, Brian Maurer, and JT Shrout. Add in Kassim Hill who sat out 2019 due to transferring from Maryland and newcomers Harrison Bailey and Jimmy Holiday, and the thought of the Vols looking for a grad transfer at the position may seem strange. However, the Vols have clear reasons to look for another option at QB.

Much of what happens for the Vols hinges on Harrison Bailey in spring camp. If Bailey were to win the job, it would be difficult to imagine fifth year senior Jarrett Guarantano sticking around as a backup in his last year of eligibility. Similarly, Brian Maurer may not want to sit behind Bailey, and could opt to make a transfer early in his career, use his available redshirt, and have three years remaining to play. Kassim Hill has had major injuries to both of his knees, and his recovery will impact how he factors into the competition and depth chart. There are also rumblings Hill could get a look at tight end. Along those lines, Jimmy Holiday is getting a shot at quarterback for the Vols, but his electric speed and athletic ability mean that wide receiver might be a faster path to the field for him. Position changes, injuries, and potential transfers could send the Vols from a crowded QB room, to a perilously thin one.

The Vols have already hosted Critchlow, originally from Franklin, TN outside Nashville. In Critchlow, the Vols would be looking to add a depth QB that has been in an FBS program. Tennessee feels that he fits what the Vols want to do, that he could provide insurance and experience, and that the chance to play for his home state team may give them an opportunity to acquire his services.

Jordan Wilson UCLA

The Vols have a need at tight end right now, as evidenced by the move of Jordan Allen from linebacker to tight end to open spring practice. Tennessee is in a good position with multiple tight ends in the 2021 class, and they have several targets that they like very much, but that doesn't address the issue of depth for 2020. The Vols could look on the transfer market for solution to their tight end depth, and Jordan Wilson could prove an ideal solution.

Wilson was a three-star prospect when he came out of high school at Montgomery Bell Academy in Nashville, TN. He also played with current Tennessee running back Ty Chandler and offensive lineman Jackson Lampley. The 6'5" 255 pound Wilson fits what the Vols want on offense with Jim Chaney. He is big and strong enough to contribute as a solid blocker in the run game, and he is athletic enough with solid hands to be effective as a receiver. Wilson has not been hosted by the Vols coaching staff since announcing his intent to transfer, but he did tell VR2 that current Tennessee quarterback Jarrett Guarantano has reached out to him about coming to Knoxville.

The Vols could easily choose to stand pat in their 2020 class, and the dynamics of how many spots they have could change based on Zach Evans and his decision. Still, even if they land Evans, the Vols would likely welcome Cox to the roster regardless. Missing on Evans could push Hayden as a priority, or a look at the tight ends in spring practice could push Wilson up the board. How the Vols finish their 2020 class will likely come from at least one player in this group.

Image Courtesy of GoBison.com. Link to original image: https://gobison.com/sports/football/roster/jabril-cox/8431

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