'25 Portal Thread

[CAVPUT]

No way to predict an ACL recovery.

That's my point. With no addition via the portal, it appears the staff is banking on his complete recovery or they feel like the answer is already on roster. Seems like a real roll of the dice if it's the former.

 

[Jack Burton]

That's my point. With no addition via the portal, it appears the staff is banking on his complete recovery or they feel like the answer is already on roster. Seems like a real roll of the dice if it's the former.

It caught them by surprise. Not really enough time to land a replacement which stinks because I doubt he plays any significant snaps for us in 2025.

 

[smokeyz1]

That's my point. With no addition via the portal, it appears the staff is banking on his complete recovery or they feel like the answer is already on roster. Seems like a real roll of the dice if it's the former.

McMurray and Gibson will be the starting CBs until McCoy is well enough to start. My guess is they will faze McCoy back in early in the season. Beasley will be the 4th CB off the bench.

I think McMurray would be a starter at many other SEC schools. He had over 200 snaps last season spelling McCoy and Gibson. I don't remember him being targeted at all by other teams. He is just not All-American level like McCoy.

So there isn't a lot of need to get another CB out of the portal unless he is a lot better than McMurray.

EDIT: Just checked McMurray's PFF stats. He was 76.3 with 264 snaps. For reference McCoy was 87 with 696 snaps and Gibson was 74.4 with 636 snaps.

 

[NighthawkVol]

Squirrel was fine. He was injured this year. He made incredible catches his first 2 years, so we know he can catch.

My concern with him is staying healthy. It’s tough for a guy his size to start healthy in the SEC.

 

[NighthawkVol]

That's my point. With no addition via the portal, it appears the staff is banking on his complete recovery or they feel like the answer is already on roster. Seems like a real roll of the dice if it's the former.

We need Beasley to make a jump. He has a real opportunity here. He was highly thought of when he signed, time to live up to it.

 

[Orange_Crush]

My concern with him is starting healthy. It’s tough for a guy his size to start healthy in the SEC.

Stay?

 

[NighthawkVol]

Stay?

Yes. Typo. Corrected.

 

[vol94]

McMurray and Gibson will be the starting CBs until McCoy is well enough to start. My guess is they will faze McCoy back in early in the season. Beasley will be the 4th CB off the bench.

I think McMurray would be a starter at many other SEC schools. He had over 200 snaps last season spelling McCoy and Gibson. I don't remember him being targeted at all by other teams. He is just not All-American level like McCoy.

So there isn't a lot of need to get another CB out of the portal unless he is a lot better than McMurray.

EDIT: Just checked McMurray's PFF stats. He was 76.3 with 264 snaps. For reference McCoy was 87 with 696 snaps and Gibson was 74.4 with 636 snaps.

Safety help would be nice. But doubt there will be an elite playing entering portal in the spring.

 

[titansvolsfaninga]

Definitely been a rough week and a half for the Vols.

- Lose McCoy
- Both basketball teams lose. Men lose twice with one coming to Vandy.
- No Tate

Tate was never coming here. It was all about money. If he wanted to be a #1, he would've left. Tate took lessons from Mike Gundy.

 

[Stoerner Fumbles]

That's my point. With no addition via the portal, it appears the staff is banking on his complete recovery or they feel like the answer is already on roster. Seems like a real roll of the dice if it's the former.

Don’t get aggravated when I agree with you. Just accept it. It happens sometimes.

 

[Stoerner Fumbles]

Man, we got peckered.

Oh well.

Here’s the kind of information you don’t want to hear: Three weeks ago, we felt like we had a very good shot at Xavier Watts and Tate. Both have serious agents. Each approached us. We met initial offer ranges. Watts was a big number, and we said yes. Tate was 200 over our best receiver. Three weeks later, we have neither. There are times when we meet everything they ask for and it isn’t enough. Watts is a game changer. They offered him game changer money. His draft assessment is too good to pass on. Tate found out he can make the most money by sitting still. It is what it is.

 

[TrippieRedd]

Here’s the kind of information you don’t want to hear: Three weeks ago, we felt like we had a very good shot at Xavier Watts and Tate. Both have serious agents. Each approached us. We met initial offer ranges. Watts was a big number, and we said yes. Tate was 200 over our best receiver. Three weeks later, we have neither. There are times when we meet everything they ask for and it isn’t enough. Watts is a game changer. They offered him game changer money. His draft assessment is too good to pass on. Tate found out he can make the most money by sitting still. It is what it is.

Danggggg Watts would’ve been nice

 

[Jackcrevol]

Here’s the kind of information you don’t want to hear: Three weeks ago, we felt like we had a very good shot at Xavier Watts and Tate. Both have serious agents. Each approached us. We met initial offer ranges. Watts was a big number, and we said yes. Tate was 200 over our best receiver. Three weeks later, we have neither. There are times when we meet everything they ask for and it isn’t enough. Watts is a game changer. They offered him game changer money. His draft assessment is too good to pass on. Tate found out he can make the most money by sitting still. It is what it is.

I am a very basic chess player, and had a high degree regarding Tate, before the game started. I think you have to shoot your shots, and we did. Kudos for getting in there, those were both low probability for the reasons outlined.

Spyre has shown itself to be a sharp, well run outfit. Regardless of any narrative to the contrary. I doubt, that those were the only two we were after.

In my eyes, we are being selective. No issue. We plebes just had the Watts & Tate news given us less than 1 week ago. Wonder how things will shake out in another week?

Think about where we were last year. Our talent base is so much better at WR.

 

[OmegaVoLL]

I am a very basic chess player, and had a high degree regarding Tate, before the game started. I think you have to shoot your shots, and we did. Kudos for getting in there, those were both low probability for the reasons outlined.

Spyre has shown itself to be a sharp, well run outfit. Regardless of any narrative to the contrary. I doubt, that those were the only two we were after.

In my eyes, we are being selective. No issue. We plebes just had the Watts & Tate news given us less than 1 week ago. Wonder how things will shake out in another week?

Think about where we were last year. Our talent base is so much better at WR.

Also not spending that money just gave us a bigger bucket for high school recruitment for people like Keys. You win some and you lose some.

 

[Stoerner Fumbles]

I am a very basic chess player, and had a high degree regarding Tate, before the game started. I think you have to shoot your shots, and we did. Kudos for getting in there, those were both low probability for the reasons outlined.

Spyre has shown itself to be a sharp, well run outfit. Regardless of any narrative to the contrary. I doubt, that those were the only two we were after.

In my eyes, we are being selective. No issue. We plebes just had the Watts & Tate news given us less than 1 week ago. Wonder how things will shake out in another week?

Think about where we were last year. Our talent base is so much better at WR.

I’m with you. I’m also a big believer in Jefferson, Matthews and Staley.

 

[MarcoVol]

Here’s the kind of information you don’t want to hear: Three weeks ago, we felt like we had a very good shot at Xavier Watts and Tate. Both have serious agents. Each approached us. We met initial offer ranges. Watts was a big number, and we said yes. Tate was 200 over our best receiver. Three weeks later, we have neither. There are times when we meet everything they ask for and it isn’t enough. Watts is a game changer. They offered him game changer money. His draft assessment is too good to pass on. Tate found out he can make the most money by sitting still. It is what it is.

Love the swing for the fences but that felt like the same scenario as his HS recruiting. We think we have a shot but OSU brings a bigger bag (assuming they did out of HS).

Perhaps that agent doesn’t have the best feel for market trends whether they are a serious agent or not.

Also I’m good with the WR room. Prob need another body or two for depth.

 

[NighthawkVol]

Love the swing for the fences but that felt like the same scenario as his HS recruiting. We think we have a shot but OSU brings a bigger bag (assuming they did out of HS).

Perhaps that agent doesn’t have the best feel for market trends whether they are a serious agent or not.

Also I’m good with the WR room. Prob need another body or two for depth.

We did beat Ohio State for David Sanders and Mariyon Dye. That’s two enormous head to head recruiting wins.

Win some, lose some.

 

[MarcoVol]

We did beat Ohio State for David Sanders and Mariyon Dye. That’s two enormous head to head recruiting wins.

Win some, lose some.

Could have different agents with a better feel for the market.

My post wasn’t to say we don’t have the money.

 

[DaddyChad]

Here’s the kind of information you don’t want to hear: Three weeks ago, we felt like we had a very good shot at Xavier Watts and Tate. Both have serious agents. Each approached us. We met initial offer ranges. Watts was a big number, and we said yes. Tate was 200 over our best receiver. Three weeks later, we have neither. There are times when we meet everything they ask for and it isn’t enough. Watts is a game changer. They offered him game changer money. His draft assessment is too good to pass on. Tate found out he can make the most money by sitting still. It is what it is.

Good to know that we’re at least swinging for the fences. At least driving the price up for everyone else

 

[Jackcrevol]

Also not spending that money just gave us a bigger bucket for high school recruitment for people like Keys. You win some and you lose some.

And I guarantee Keys is worth it

 

[Daddy pants]

Here’s the kind of information you don’t want to hear: Three weeks ago, we felt like we had a very good shot at Xavier Watts and Tate. Both have serious agents. Each approached us. We met initial offer ranges. Watts was a big number, and we said yes. Tate was 200 over our best receiver. Three weeks later, we have neither. There are times when we meet everything they ask for and it isn’t enough. Watts is a game changer. They offered him game changer money. His draft assessment is too good to pass on. Tate found out he can make the most money by sitting still. It is what it is.

Appreciate the insight. I don't mind hearing this at all-its reality. Encouraging that we are in the conversations, but not compromising the budget or locker room when things get out of hand in negotiations. Baked into that is very good use of funds for retention-which doesn't get the headlines (unless players decide to make it so)-as well as obtaining high-level HS talent, which continues to trend upwards. If there are three categories: 1) retention of guys you like/developing 2) HS talent acquisition and 3) "splash" portal guys, I'd prioritize the first two, but that's just my opinion.

 

[TrippieRedd]

Do you write 5 figure checks or more to the University of Tennessee? If so, thank you. If not, then you have no say in how the money should be spent or how the program adapts to achieve the goals of championships they have. It delivered one last year and I believe in what Danny and the rest are doing and expect more in the future.

Shiiiiiiiiiii, I’d win a championship in 3 years tops.

Give me the NIL numbers and I’ll run OSU off that field and send Ryan Day back to Verizon Wireless

 

[TN-POSSUM]

I’m with you. I’m also a big believer in Jefferson, Matthews and Staley.

I'm glad we didn't get Carnell Tate and that Squirrel left for FSU. I'm wanting to see the younger WRs we've got on the roster. I think we've got some real talent and we'll be better at the reciever position this season, barring injuries. Tate would have been nice, but he wasn't necessary.

*I also think our offensive line / QB will look better too. I'm expecting our offense to be more like the 2022 offense this season.

 

[rockytop25]

Wow

 

[TrippieRedd]

Wow

OSU got any of dem safeties? If so, come on down.