'25 Portal Thread

#1,251
#1,251
Woodlawn VOL said:
Good portal tackles that can come right in and play are far a few between. Probably the toughest position to recruit or find in the portal. It takes more time to develop quality OL than anything, especially tackles. GBO
Click to expand...
And if they do, they are ridiculously expensive and you are competing with other big money brands for them.
 
#1,261
#1,261
Portal needs per VQ (Eric Cain, so don’t expect to learn anything reading this)

Interior Offensive Line​

In other words, offensive guard. Yes, Tennessee is saying goodbye to four-star starting center Cooper Mays, but the center position in this offense isn’t necessarily one that is plug-and-play. Not saying it couldn’t happen, but outside of quarterback and maybe tight end, the center position in this offense is the most important. Tennessee seems to like what they saw in William Satterwhite (who will redshirt) this fall to feel good about a starting point in spring. Again, that’s not to say he won the job, but he will be the first one to get a serious look.

Back to guard where the Vols are poised to lose both starters – JaVontez Spraggins and Andrej Karic – and key backup Jackson Lampley. Like Mays, Spraggins has pretty much been a four-plus year starter for Tennessee. Karic has been one of Tennessee’s most dependable offensive linemen this fall and has played well. Lampley has filled in at both spots as a key backup for the past five years. He’s as experience a backup as they come and one who has had starting experience as well.

The GQ has already been on the hunt for offensive guards last week when players around the country announced their intentions of entering the portal. Not every guy will be a take and fewer will be the right fit. Regardless, Tennessee will be looking for some interior help for next season and for some depth pieces behind them.

Of the options on roster right now, Tennessee will be giving guys like Sham Umarov, Max Anderson, Ayden Bussell and Gage Gintherlooks this spring on the interior, along with incoming freshmen Nic Mooreand Antoni Kade Ogumoro.
Click to expand...

Interior Defensive Line ​

We all know Rodney Garner loves to play a big rotation. We’re talking 12-14 guys at given points in the season. That’s wild and no one else in college football does that. How are you able, as a coach, to do that and keep guys fresh all game long? You’ve got to find good players and develop them. So, on the outside looking in, Tennessee returns A TON of experience up front. But in order to be where they want to be, you wouldn’t turn down a few good ones.

The old saying goes you never turn down a good defensive lineman out of the portal. I think that plays true to pass-rushers as well. As of now, the Vols will likely say goodbye to James Pearce, who is expected to be a first-round draft pick. Joshua Josephs had a very solid regular season and there’s intrigue there to see how the NFL views him. Could he declare a year early? Yes, but he could also return to improve his stock. Caleb Herring and Jordan Rossare both expected back. The LEO position is ready to reload.

Flip it over to the other outside spot at strongside defensive end, Dominic Bailey has another year of eligibility remaining. What will he elect to do? Tyre West and Jayson Jenkins both saw plenty of playing time this fall, and Tyree Weathersby is waiting for an opportunity. Also, incoming freshmen Isaiah Campbell, Mariyon Dye andJayden Loftin will get looks this offseason while second-year Vols Carson Gentle and Kellen Lindstromare expected to take steps.

Simply put, the cupboard isn’t empty on the edges for Tennessee.

Where the Vols could use some bodies is on the interior. Defensive tackles Omari Thomas, Elijah Simmons and Omarr Norman-Lott have exhausted their eligibility. Bryson Eason has one year of eligibility remaining, if he decides the NFL opportunities would be greater a year from now. That leaves Jaxson Moi – a transfer portal addition last cycle – and Daevin Hobbsas the experienced returners. That’s a great starting point, but Garner needs more interior bodies while hoping Nathan Robinson takes a step. Garner will also need incoming freshmen Ethan Utley and Charles House to come along.
Click to expand...

Other Potential Position Targets ​

In the transfer portal, every program has specific positions they will attack. You can’t overthink the obvious, however, and that’s to take the ‘best available’ if given the opportunity. Tennessee will be looking for interior help on both the offensive and defensive lines, but if a receiver becomes available that they like, the Vols will look there.

Tennessee has brought in a transfer at the wide receiver position in three of the past four offseasons. The Vols will lose Bru McCoy and Dont’e Thorntonat the position for next year and have already seen Kaleb Webb announce his intentions of entering the portal. Squirrel White, Chris Brazzell, Mike Matthews and Chaz Nimrod have all seen extensive playing time this season and are expected back. Braylon Staley, Nathan Leacock and Nate Spillmanare also underclassmen options. The Vols will welcome incoming freshmen Travis Smith, Radarious Jackson and Joakim Dodson at wide receiver.

Tennessee could also look for a safety in the portal as starter Will Brooks is graduating. Andre Turrentine, Christian Charles and Jokobe Thomas all have eligibility remaining and were a part of the rotation this season. Jourdan Thomas, who missed the entire season with injury, is also an option at safety.

The linebacker spot also says goodbye to Keenan Pili, but William Inge signed four freshmen this week. Dylan Sampson could declare for the NFL Draft and Khalifia Keith has already announce his intentions of entering the transfer portal. Could running back be a spot the Vols add to in the portal?

Depending on who else enters the portal could determine if the Vols try and add to certain position groups. As always, it is a fluid situation and can change by the minute. But this is a rough draft on what Tennessee could do in the transfer portal.
Click to expand...
 
  • Like
Reactions: Tnfan41, marcusluvsvols, HeadVol77 and 4 others
#1,273
#1,273
If Josephs goes pro, I could see adding another Edge, but what we really need are DTs. I could see a scenario where we are happy with who we have at the position and choose NOT to pursue Nwaneri. There are only so many roster spots, and space may be needed to address other positions.
 
  • Like
Reactions: dmwvol12, marcusluvsvols and knoxvol52
#1,275
#1,275
Weezer said:
If Josephs goes pro, I could see adding another Edge, but what we really need are DTs. I could see a scenario where we are happy with who we have at the position and choose NOT to pursue Nwaneri. There are only so many roster spots, and space may be needed to address other positions.
Click to expand...
Thinking Josephs goes pro.no inside info just by watching his play he may decide to forgo his senior year..
 
  • Like
Reactions: marcusluvsvols
New posts
You must log in or register to reply here.

VN Store



Back
Top