Tennessee Vols can still make a big splash in the transfer portal by pursuing talented former ACC player
The Tennessee Vols' biggest roster needs this offseason are at cornerback and safety. Tennessee's secondary played well at times this season, but it was easily the weakest part of the Vols' roster. So far, the Vols haven't added a defensive back from the transfer portal, which is surprising considering Tennessee's pass defense issues. It's likely […]
The Tennessee Vols' biggest roster needs this offseason are at cornerback and safety.
Tennessee's secondary played well at times this season, but it was easily the weakest part of the Vols' roster.
So far, the Vols haven't added a defensive back from the transfer portal, which is surprising considering Tennessee's pass defense issues.
It's likely that Josh Heupel and his staff are simply waiting on the "right player". They aren't going to take a player out of the portal just for the sake of adding a body to the roster. They want to make sure it's the right fit and that it's a move that will actually help the team improve.
Still, the Vols need to find a way to add some talent to that position group. If they go into the 2023 season without making a splash in the portal by adding a defensive back, it could mean minimal improvement in Tennessee's secondary.
Fortunately, there's a potentially elite cornerback still available in the transfer portal.
The Vols need to try to land Syracuse cornerback Duce Chestnut, a former three-star recruit from New Jersey.
Chestnut is widely viewed as the best cornerback still available in the portal.
Duce Chestnut is the third-highest-graded cornerback in the ACC over the past two seasons. Those were also his first two seasons of college football.
The sophomore’s 24 coverage stops in that span tie for the sixth most among cornerbacks.
For now, it doesn't appear that Tennessee is heavily pursuing Chestnut, but we've seen a couple of UT's transfer additions this offseason seemingly come out of nowhere (no one saw BYU linebacker Keenan Pili's commitment coming). So I wouldn't rule out the Vols getting involved here.
Tennessee certainly needs to be involved. Chestnut, one of the best cornerbacks in the ACC, could make an immediate impact for the Vols if he leaves Syracuse for Knoxville.
Featured image via Bryan Lynn-USA TODAY Sports
