Tennessee’s last remaining ‘big’ target in the transfer portal chose LSU on Thursday, thus Luke Holman will not be in Knoxville. It was a three-team race in the end with LSU edging Tennessee (Mississippi State thereafter) for the right-hander in a decision that was reached late Thursday evening. Connections were a massive factor in this one as his best friend at Alabama (Kade Woods) transferred to LSU weeks ago. One of the biggest things Holman was looking for in his recruitment was comfort and having his friend already there was big.
You look at Tennessee’s projected staff entering 2024 and you’ve got Drew Beam for Friday and AJ Russell for Saturday. The staff can’t say enough nice things about Russell right now and are thrilled to get him in a starting role. The expectations are high for him. But what about a third starter? There’s plenty of options there with several talented freshman arriving on campus (remember, two years ago Tennessee started two freshmen on weekends). Transfer portal addition AJ Causey was the Friday night guy for Jacksonville State this past season. What does Wyatt Evans look like in fall? Vols will have plenty of options.
Though the transfer portal window to enter for undergraduate students has closed, there are still players looking for a new home. The Vols continue to evaluate but the bulk of the work is done.
We mentioned in the Monday Night Chat this week that third baseman Zane Denton returning felt like a good possibility. Those feelings have not changed here to end the week. It’s not done, but it’s on the way in our opinion. Denton went undrafted two weeks ago and has been weighing his options since. He would be using the free COVID year of eligibility if he returns.
Shortstop Maui Ahuna signed a little over three hours prior to the deadline on Tuesday. That means all eight Tennessee draft picks have signed professional contracts and are awaiting placement in their respected farm systems.
