Rick Barnes just answered a major question for Tennessee for next season in a huge way

The Tennessee Volunteers did not have to wait long in order to find a big piece of the puzzle for their 2026-27 season, securing one of the top transfer portal options quickly.

Craig Smith College Football & NFL Trending News Writer
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Feb 3, 2024; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Tennessee Volunteers head coach Rick Barnes celebrates as he walks off the court after the game against the Kentucky Wildcats at Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center. Jordan Prather-Imagn Images

The Tennessee Volunteers are already working to take that elusive step to the Final Four next season, and Rick Barnes just went down the road and nabbed one of the best shooters in the country to help with that quest.

Belmont guard Tyler Lundblade posted on his Twitter (X) account on Wednesday afternoon that he has committed to Tennessee, which was also confirmed by multiple outlets.

Tennessee secures commitment of Belmont sharpshooter Tyler Lundblade

Lundblade started his career at TCU in 2022-23, but transferred to Belmont, where he’s spent his last two years. He made 104 and 115 threes in 2024-25 and 2025-26, respectively. Two years ago, he made an astonishing 48.1% of his 216 three-point attempts. He averaged a career-high 15.6 points per game last season and is a career 93.3% free throw shooter, capable of putting a game on ice in the final minute.

Tennessee was in dire need of a sharpshooter with Ja’Kobi Gillespie running out of eligibility and with Nate Ament potentially on his way to the NBA. Barnes has been exceptional at finding good three point shooters in recent years. Dalton Knecht made 93 in his one year in Knoxville. Santiago Vescovi is one of just four Vols to eclipse 100 threes in a season in 2021-22. Chaz Lanier set the program record with 123 in 2024-25.

Now, Tennessee fans will hope that Lundblade is that next great shooter at Tennessee.