'25 Portal Thread

[patrick]

Let’s speculate wildly. I’ll go with Barion Brown.

Edit: I see they’ve reported Johntay cook

I hope we land "Tyroil Smoochie-Wallace" University of Miami & "Jackmerius Tacktheritrix" Michigan State University.

Oh and the cream of crop - "D'Isiah T. Billings-Clyde" Coastal Carolina......

 

[JCVol00]

We'll end up passing for the "splash WR" we're going to get from OSU that never materializes.

Sorry to be negative, but I've just lived this story too many times. I can already see the "He decided not to enter the portal" posts coming. We put our eggs in one basket and when they all break, we have no backup. Hope I'm wrong, but I'm in "need to see it to believe it" mode.

I mean, you’re right. Just because it’s negative doesn’t mean it’s false

 

[TrippieRedd]

If we don't pursue him, and we are DEFINITELY looking to add another WR, one has to believe it's Tate we're after. Not saying we get him, just believe he's the one we're waiting on.

Good point

 

[Vol423]

Johnny Utah from Ohio State is in the portal.

He needs to bring a friend.

 

[volinbama256]

I'll check back in with you in December...

 

[Adam Sandler]

I hope we land "Tyroil Smoochie-Wallace" University of Miami & "Jackmerius Tacktheritrix" Michigan State University.

Oh and the cream of crop - "D'Isiah T. Billings-Clyde" Coastal Carolina......

Classic. My favorites are:

Javaris Jamar Javarison-Lamar
And
Xmus Jaxon Flaxon-Waxon

 

[captainfalcon777]

I’ll go ahead and guess we won’t pursue

@99vawl @dascoop @KingVFL ?

View attachment 714614

Dude, PSU wide receivers blow…why on earth would we want em? Wouldn’t get near those guys with a 10 ft pole

 

[NighthawkVol]

You know what’s funny about all of the crying and teeth gnashing on this board? LWS is on the regular forum, keeping us apprised of the roster numbers. For those who don’t know, he has been an insider longer than anyone. He knows his stuff. And he has reported the following; Heupel really likes his roster. And that makes sense. His actions reflect that.

So while y’all are on here, screaming and crying and asking, where will we turn next, the answer is probably inward. We haven’t taken many portal guys, because we are being extremely selective. Because we don’t need them. Again…Josh Heupel likes his roster. Which means it takes a rare opportunity to make him want to change it. Pregnon was apparently one of those and we missed on him. So what.

If you want to be upset, I’m sure you’ll take that information and tell yourself that the man who knows his roster better than anyone (and who is more qualified to evaluate talent than we all are) is wrong for feeling good about it. We used most of our NIL to keep the guys we wanted on the current roster.

The truth is…the lack of portal activity is a good thing. Tennessee isn’t throwing itself at every shiny object that comes along because there’s no need to. They trust their evaluations, they trust their culture, and they trust their development. They like what they have. Maybe we should trust the guy who pulled this program from the trash heap and took it to the CFP in 4 years.

 

[captainfalcon777]

We'll end up passing for the "splash WR" we're going to get from OSU that never materializes.

Sorry to be negative, but I've just lived this story too many times. I can already see the "He decided not to enter the portal" posts coming. We put our eggs in one basket and when they all break, we have no backup. Hope I'm wrong, but I'm in "need to see it to believe it" mode.

We shouldn’t add any wide receivers. Let the young stars play. You don’t need to be upper classmen to have an impact at WR

 

[EJVOL4LIFE]

I hope we land "Tyroil Smoochie-Wallace" University of Miami & "Jackmerius Tacktheritrix" Michigan State University.

Oh and the cream of crop - "D'Isiah T. Billings-Clyde" Coastal Carolina......

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news but D'Isiah T. Billings-Clyde just withdrew his name from the transfer portal. Gonna stay at Coastal Carolina and try to win the natty next year. Rumor is they paid him $47 million to come back!!

 

[marcusluvsvols]

Not exactly. It gets you another year with Joshua Josephs. It gets Jordan Ross and Caleb Herring on the field. It gets Tyre West in a starting position. We get Jourdan Thomas back at safety. It gets young WR's playing time.

Since the beginning of time, players have developed over years, yet we have some who think our guys can't. They also complain when our recruiting classes are bad. VN never changes.

Good post. AP thinks we still add 1 or 2 guys probably over time...which means a couple guys will get cut loose in spring that dont contribute. I am excited to see the young guys next year. They will make some mistakes...but they will make plays too. Thats why we brought them here. We are gonna be young at WR, LB, Oline and Dline...BUT those young guys are gonna be bluechip Top300 players. Nearly every one of them. We have 16 bluechip freshman out of 25 guys in the 2025 class alone!! Thats exciting. Best class in 20 years. 24 class was deep and good too. Excited for next year and especially for 2026.

 

[JAllen18]

@dascoop @KingVFL @JAllen18 can yall give us any positive portal updates??

Through back channels we're talking to some impact/splash guys, but nothing is set in stone until they've officially entered. Regardless, we're going over fit more than anything. Lack of funds has nothing to do with it, but we're not going to overpay just to over pay either.

In the spring, you'll see some more guys leave, and we'll be a bit more aggressive.

 

[GUNTERSVOL]

We'll end up passing for the "splash WR" we're going to get from OSU that never materializes.

Sorry to be negative, but I've just lived this story too many times. I can already see the "He decided not to enter the portal" posts coming. We put our eggs in one basket and when they all break, we have no backup. Hope I'm wrong, but I'm in "need to see it to believe it" mode.

Pretty clear, there are dang few WR we value over our youth, and if they withdraw or get overpriced, we move on. The opposite of massive moves of desperation.

 

[Stoerner Fumbles]

You know what’s funny about all of the crying and teeth gnashing on this board? LWS is on the regular forum, keeping us apprised of the roster numbers. For those who don’t know, he has been an insider longer than anyone. He knows his stuff. And he has reported the following; Heupel really likes his roster. And that makes sense. His actions reflect that.

So while y’all are on here, screaming and crying and asking, where will we turn next, the answer is probably inward. We haven’t taken many portal guys, because we are being extremely selective. Because we don’t need them. Again…Josh Heupel likes his roster. Which means it takes a rare opportunity to make him want to change it. Pregnon was apparently one of those and we missed on him. So what.

If you want to be upset, I’m sure you’ll take that information and tell yourself that the man who knows his roster better than anyone (and who is more qualified to evaluate talent than we all are) is wrong for feeling good about it. We used most of our NIL to keep the guys we wanted on the current roster.

The truth is…the lack of portal activity is a good thing. Tennessee isn’t throwing itself at every shiny object that comes along because there’s no need to. They trust their evaluations, they trust their culture, and they trust their development. They like what they have. Maybe we should trust the guy who pulled this program from the trash heap and took it to the CFP in 4 years.

Heupel likes the roster AND we will probably sign three more portal players. As for the numbers, there are some current players that know they will move up at their position or leave after Spring. This particular thread is too exhausting to service regularly, or engage in Q&A, but we are down the road with a difference-maker at WR, a guard/center, and a safety. With the WR, I know everyone is very tight-lipped for some reasons that will make sense after the fact. I’m not trying to be cryptic, but I can’t (and I assume others can’t) share anything until that one is on the dotted line. Additionally there are a couple of other players that are connected to possible departures by two high profile coaches. There are players we’d make room for, and specifically a very good RB has reached out. If a coaching move happens, he’ll come. There is a lot to shake out, but the signs seem to point to three additional signings between now and Summer, and possibly more. As for how I feel about the current state of things— keeping Boo and Matthews, and others who entertained leaving, is huge. I think our WR room has more promise than we are acknowledging. I’m a bigger fan of Jefferson than many, and I continue to think he, Matthews and Staley are very underrated. My only concern is that the three guys were heavily pursuing are all in bets with no backup plan. In fairness, this staff has done very well delivering on a focused portal plan to date. I think they will again this year.

 

[deatojl]

You know what’s funny about all of the crying and teeth gnashing on this board? LWS is on the regular forum, keeping us apprised of the roster numbers. For those who don’t know, he has been an insider longer than anyone. He knows his stuff. And he has reported the following; Heupel really likes his roster. And that makes sense. His actions reflect that.

So while y’all are on here, screaming and crying and asking, where will we turn next, the answer is probably inward. We haven’t taken many portal guys, because we are being extremely selective. Because we don’t need them. Again…Josh Heupel likes his roster. Which means it takes a rare opportunity to make him want to change it. Pregnon was apparently one of those and we missed on him. So what.

If you want to be upset, I’m sure you’ll take that information and tell yourself that the man who knows his roster better than anyone (and who is more qualified to evaluate talent than we all are) is wrong for feeling good about it. We used most of our NIL to keep the guys we wanted on the current roster.

The truth is…the lack of portal activity is a good thing. Tennessee isn’t throwing itself at every shiny object that comes along because there’s no need to. They trust their evaluations, they trust their culture, and they trust their development. They like what they have. Maybe we should trust the guy who pulled this program from the trash heap and took it to the CFP in 4 years.

Well, it's much easier to just assume our coaches are just trash, nobody wants to play for them, and our NIL is an overhyped joke. Also, they are not even remotely serious about winning.

 

[AustinVol]

Good post. AP thinks we still add 1 or 2 guys probably over time...which means a couple guys will get cut loose in spring that dont contribute. I am excited to see the young guys next year. They will make some mistakes...but they will make plays too. Thats why we brought them here. We are gonna be young at WR, LB, Oline and Dline...BUT those young guys are gonna be bluechip Top300 players. Nearly every one of them. We have 16 bluechip freshman out of 25 guys in the 2025 class alone!! Thats exciting. Best class in 20 years. 24 class was deep and good too. Excited for next year and especially for 2026.

This makes far too much sense.

 

[PA Vol]

Deion to the Cowboys rumors are picking up steam. Could be open season on Colorado players/recruits.

Colorado won’t have a team when he leaves. It’s been an inevitability since Prime was hired. Their admin sold their sole for clicks and ticket sales, not long term success. Literally everyone will bail because it was all mercenaries recruited to play for Prime, not the university.

 

[Jackcrevol]

You know what’s funny about all of the crying and teeth gnashing on this board? LWS is on the regular forum, keeping us apprised of the roster numbers. For those who don’t know, he has been an insider longer than anyone. He knows his stuff. And he has reported the following; Heupel really likes his roster. And that makes sense. His actions reflect that.

So while y’all are on here, screaming and crying and asking, where will we turn next, the answer is probably inward. We haven’t taken many portal guys, because we are being extremely selective. Because we don’t need them. Again…Josh Heupel likes his roster. Which means it takes a rare opportunity to make him want to change it. Pregnon was apparently one of those and we missed on him. So what.

If you want to be upset, I’m sure you’ll take that information and tell yourself that the man who knows his roster better than anyone (and who is more qualified to evaluate talent than we all are) is wrong for feeling good about it. We used most of our NIL to keep the guys we wanted on the current roster.

The truth is…the lack of portal activity is a good thing. Tennessee isn’t throwing itself at every shiny object that comes along because there’s no need to. They trust their evaluations, they trust their culture, and they trust their development. They like what they have. Maybe we should trust the guy who pulled this program from the trash heap and took it to the CFP in 4 years.

Larry has connections through UTAD and VASF, if i'm not mistaken. Perhaps not an insider. I recall him keeping very detailed roster records for decades. just my recollection.

Tennessee needs a difference maker at WR. Missing Utu hurt. Would love a G to go with this class.

 

[Deebowbear]

Through back channels we're talking to some impact/splash guys, but nothing is set in stone until they've officially entered. Regardless, we're going over fit more than anything. Lack of funds has nothing to do with it, but we're not going to overpay just to over pay either.

In the spring, you'll see some more guys leave, and we'll be a bit more aggressive.

What about any coaching staff changes

 

[Orange_Crush]

Colorado won’t have a team when he leaves. It’s been an inevitability since Prime was hired. Their admin sold their sole for clicks and ticket sales, not long term success. Literally everyone will bail because it was all mercenaries recruited to play for Prime, not the university.

"What you attract them with, you attract them to."

 

[bpalmer28]

Colorado won’t have a team when he leaves. It’s been an inevitability since Prime was hired. Their admin sold their sole for clicks and ticket sales, not long term success. Literally everyone will bail because it was all mercenaries recruited to play for Prime, not the university.

Seaton to Tennessee in the spring portal? Heard to LG? A man can dream

 

[patrick]

Classic. My favorites are:

Javaris Jamar Javarison-Lamar
And
Xmus Jaxon Flaxon-Waxon

Xmus Jaxon from “California University of Pennslyvania”

Love it!

 

[patrick]

Larry has connections through UTAD and VASF, if i'm not mistaken. Perhaps not an insider. I recall him keeping very detailed roster records for decades. just my recollection.

Tennessee needs a difference maker at WR.

And offensive linemen that can pass block - you to keep Nico upright.

 

[volsagain]

You know what’s funny about all of the crying and teeth gnashing on this board? LWS is on the regular forum, keeping us apprised of the roster numbers. For those who don’t know, he has been an insider longer than anyone. He knows his stuff. And he has reported the following; Heupel really likes his roster. And that makes sense. His actions reflect that.

So while y’all are on here, screaming and crying and asking, where will we turn next, the answer is probably inward. We haven’t taken many portal guys, because we are being extremely selective. Because we don’t need them. Again…Josh Heupel likes his roster. Which means it takes a rare opportunity to make him want to change it. Pregnon was apparently one of those and we missed on him. So what.

If you want to be upset, I’m sure you’ll take that information and tell yourself that the man who knows his roster better than anyone (and who is more qualified to evaluate talent than we all are) is wrong for feeling good about it. We used most of our NIL to keep the guys we wanted on the current roster.

The truth is…the lack of portal activity is a good thing. Tennessee isn’t throwing itself at every shiny object that comes along because there’s no need to. They trust their evaluations, they trust their culture, and they trust their development. They like what they have. Maybe we should trust the guy who pulled this program from the trash heap and took it to the CFP in 4 years.

Most responsible post I've read in a while thanks. We need more of this. Been crazy reading all the banter the past couple of weeks. GBO

 

[JCVol00]

Heupel likes the roster AND we will probably sign three more portal players. As for the numbers, there are some current players that know they will move up at their position or leave after Spring. This particular thread is too exhausting to service regularly, or engage in Q&A, but we are down the road with a difference-maker at WR, a guard/center, and a safety. With the WR, I know everyone is very tight-lipped for some reasons that will make sense after the fact. I’m not trying to be cryptic, but I can’t (and I assume others can’t) share anything until that one is on the dotted line. Additionally there are a couple of other players that are connected to possible departures by two high profile coaches. There are players we’d make room for, and specifically a very good RB has reached out. If a coaching move happens, he’ll come. There is a lot to shake out, but the signs seem to point to three additional signings between now and Summer, and possibly more. As for how I feel about the current state of things— keeping Boo and Matthews, and others who entertained leaving, is huge. I think our WR room has more promise than we are acknowledging. I’m a bigger fan of Jefferson than many, and I continue to think he, Matthews and Staley are very underrated. My only concern is that the three guys were heavily pursuing are all in bets with no backup plan. In fairness, this staff has done very well delivering on a focused portal plan to date. I think they will again this year.

Im throwing a hail mary with the guess of lineman and rb, but Seaton and Hayden kind of fit, granted the fact Deion is flirting with the cowboys