'26 Idaho St Transfer WR Ian Duarte (Tennessee)

#1

HoleInTheRoof

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#1


Tennessee has added another key piece to its receiving room for 2026, securing a commitment from Idaho State wide receiver transfer Ian Duarte.

The 5-foot-10, 176-pound receiver has caught 93 passes for 1,025 yards and six touchdowns over the last two seasons, establishing himself as one of the top wideouts in the Big Sky Conference. A redshirt sophomore, Duarte had his breakout season in 2024 hauling in 47 receptions for 504 yards and 3 touchdowns over 11 games.

He finished the season averaging 10.7 yards per catch and contributed nearly 15 percent of the team’s total receptions.

Duarte returned to the Bengals in 2025 and hailed in 46 passes for 521 yards and three scores to help lead one of the most prolific pass offenses in the FCS.

Now he’ll take his talents up to the SEC, where Tennessee is looking to fill out a receiver room around young quarterbacks George MacIntyre, Ryan Staub and Faizon Brandon.
 
#3
#3


Tennessee has added another key piece to its receiving room for 2026, securing a commitment from Idaho State wide receiver transfer Ian Duarte.

The 5-foot-10, 176-pound receiver has caught 93 passes for 1,025 yards and six touchdowns over the last two seasons, establishing himself as one of the top wideouts in the Big Sky Conference. A redshirt sophomore, Duarte had his breakout season in 2024 hauling in 47 receptions for 504 yards and 3 touchdowns over 11 games.

He finished the season averaging 10.7 yards per catch and contributed nearly 15 percent of the team’s total receptions.

Duarte returned to the Bengals in 2025 and hailed in 46 passes for 521 yards and three scores to help lead one of the most prolific pass offenses in the FCS.

Now he’ll take his talents up to the SEC, where Tennessee is looking to fill out a receiver room around young quarterbacks George MacIntyre, Ryan Staub and Faizon Brandon.

💥💥💥


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GBO
 
#5
#5
Like our focus on special teams additions this portal. It was needed
242 Kick Return Yards and 113 Punt Return yards with 2025 being the first year he recorded special teams return yards. Wanted to add the detail because all the other stats focused on receiving.

We need special teams help and having a back up in the slot with game experience could come in clutch. Seems like he has the ability to stretch the field vertically based off of some of the stats like a 63 yard TD against UNLV
 
#9
#9

Transfer Ian Duarte sees special teams opportunity early with Tennessee​


Tennessee has added special teams help in Idaho State wide receiver transfer Ian Duarte, who visited last week.

“It was awesome,” Duarte said of his visit. “Just liked the facilities and the surrounding areas, and the campus, as well. Just everything about it was pretty cool. There wasn’t anything that I saw that was bad, honestly. It was a good time overall.”

Duarte in two seasons with the Bengals had 53 catches for 582 yards and 3 touchdowns. On special teams, Duarte had 11 returns for 113 yards and 12 kickoff returns for 242 yards (20.2 yard avg).

“Spent time with the staff. I really like the staff, and talked to Coach Pope, too — the receivers coach. Really liked him, and Coach (Evan) Crabtree, the special teams coach. I mean, good staff overall. I liked a lot of the guys on staff already, and I talked to just very few of them,” Duarte said.

With the SEC going to 105 scholarships there is obviously a need to fill out your roster with guys who can help provide position depth and special teams depth. Tennessee lost walk on receiver Tommy Winton to the portal as well as special teams player Braylon Harmon, who had a punt return in the bowl game.

That’s why Tennessee pursued Gavin Freeman who ultimately ended up at Baylor. When Freeman flipped his commitment the Vols targeted Duarte.

“Yeah. I’d say it’s a chance for both — maybe a little more on the return side. But, yeah, good chance for both,” Duarte said of he possible impact with the Vols.

The opportunity to have a chance at Tennessee is ultimately what led Duarte to pick the Vols Sunday afternoon.

“Oh, 100 percent, especially coming from Idaho State,” Duarte said of his excitement. “That’d be a huge jump and just, honestly, pretty insane. Definitely blessed to have that opportunity to be able to potentially make that jump.”

Duarte is the 19th portal addition for the Vols this month.
-VQ
 
#14
#14
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#18
#18
Special teams, o-line and skill positions all sured up now.

Just need the QB to be good!

Lots back on the o-line and the two transfers. Gordon makes the RB room deep. We should be better there with Bishop older and Duane more experienced.

WR loaded. Stayley and Matthews are studs as 2nd year players. Ethan Davis really came on. Brame looked great when he played. Encouraged by Jackson and Smith playing early. Dodson has ability. Keys and King are elite talents. This guy can play in the slot.

Trent Thomas is a good blocking TE with Cole Harrison being a sleeper there.
 
#21
#21
Special teams, o-line and skill positions all sured up now.

Just need the QB to be good!

Lots back on the o-line and the two transfers. Gordon makes the RB room deep. We should be better there with Bishop older and Duane more experienced.

WR loaded. Stayley and Matthews are studs as 2nd year players. Ethan Davis really came on. Brame looked great when he played. Encouraged by Jackson and Smith playing early. Dodson has ability. Keys and King are elite talents. This guy can play in the slot.

Trent Thomas is a good blocking TE with Cole Harrison being a sleeper there.
And maybe the UTM TE
 

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