Why one specific player in NCAA transfer portal just became a must-get player for the Tennessee Vols
One player that's in the NCAA transfer portal became a must-get player for the Tennessee Vols this week. Tennessee is losing their two best wide receivers to the NFL — Jalin Hyatt and Cedric Tillman. The Vols have some capable wide receiver talent on the roster, but with Hyatt and Tillman moving on, Tennessee could […]
One player that's in the NCAA transfer portal became a must-get player for the Tennessee Vols this week.
Tennessee is losing their two best wide receivers to the NFL — Jalin Hyatt and Cedric Tillman. The Vols have some capable wide receiver talent on the roster, but with Hyatt and Tillman moving on, Tennessee could use another dynamic playmaker at the wide receiver position.
Unfortunately for the Vols, two of the top transfer wide receivers came off the board this week.
And they're both heading to Georgia.
Mississippi State transfer RaRa Thomas and Missouri transfer Dominic Lovett are both set to be Bulldogs.
Both of those wide receivers are players that Tennessee was interested in bringing to Knoxville (Thomas, specifically).
There's still one elite wide receiver in the portal that the Vols can land — Oregon wide receiver Dont'e Thornton. And with one of Tennessee's main rivals landing two of the top wide receivers, it's essential that UT lands Thornton.
Thornton is reportedly set to visit the Vols after the Orange Bowl, so Tennessee has a legitimate shot to land the talented wide receiver.
If the Vols manage to secure a commitment from Thornton, they'd be getting a 6-foot-5 wide receiver who averaged 21.5 yards per catch last season at Oregon.
Tennessee needs to replace Hyatt and his big play ability. And while Thornton doesn't have the same elite speed as Hyatt, he'd still be a great addition for the Vols thanks to his ability to create splash plays in the passing game.
If the Vols want to threaten the Bulldogs in the SEC East in 2023, they need to keep pace with Georgia when it comes to transfer portal additions that instantly improve the roster. That's why landing Thornton is critical for Tennessee.
Featured image via Calvin Mattheis/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK
