The NCAA transfer portal officially opened this week and the Tennessee Vols are expected to be active in their pursuit of potential additions to the program.

Tennessee's roster is much improved from when Josh Heupel took over in early 2021, but the Vols still have some holes they need to fill.

UT needs to add some talent on the defensive side of the ball and they need to address their offensive line with several key players — Darnell Wright and Jerome Carvin, specifically — moving on after this season.

Here are three "under-the-radar" players in the transfer portal that Tennessee could pursue to fill some of their less glamorous needs.

Javion Cohen — Alabama — OL

Javion Cohen, a former four-star recruit, would be a perfect replacement for Jerome Carvin.

Carvin started at left guard this season for Tennessee. Cohen, meanwhile, started 14 games at left guard for Alabama in 2021. He started 10 games for the Crimson Tide in 2022.

Players with that kind of starting experience usually don't transfer from Alabama. The Vols should immediately try to bring Cohen to Knoxville.

Cohen was recruited to Auburn (before he signed with Bama) by former Vols wide receivers coach Kodi Burns (now with the New Orleans Saints). Perhaps Burns could put in a good word for his former employer.

Gunner Britton — Western Kentucky — OL

Gunner Britton could be an option to step in and replace right tackle Darnell Wright (one of the most underrated players in the nation).

Britton has plenty of versatility — he started six games at right tackle and seven games at left tackle for the Hilltoppers this past season. That versatility would give Vols offensive line coach Glen Elarbee some options when it comes to the offensive line rotation in 2023.

According to 247Sports, Britton was one of the highest-graded offensive tackles in the nation last season.

From 247Sports:

He excelled doing both with a PFF College grade of 80.7, including an 87 pass blocking grade, which ranked fifth nationally among all tackles who played at least 20% of their team’s snaps.

Britton plays for Tyson Helton at Western Kentucky. Helton was Tennessee's offensive coordinator in 2018.

Kyle Morlock — Shorter — TE

This is a very under-the-radar player. Division II players don't typically generate a lot of hype, but Morlock is an excellent player who has played at a high level at Shorter University.

Tennessee badly needs a tight end with Miles Campbell hitting the transfer portal and Princeton Fant moving on. Jacob Warren could return for another season, but it's unclear if he will. Morlock would instantly fill a big need for the Vols.

According to 247Sports, Tennessee is one of the teams "most involved" with Morlock.

Featured image via Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports