Tennessee Vols could lose players to transfer portal after bowl game
The NCAA transfer portal has seen a lot of action since the end of the regular season. It seems like every day another big name is entering the portal. And a litany of players you likely haven't heard of have hit the portal on a daily basis, too. The portal, combined with NIL rules (name, […]
The NCAA transfer portal has seen a lot of action since the end of the regular season.
It seems like every day another big name is entering the portal. And a litany of players you likely haven't heard of have hit the portal on a daily basis, too.
The portal, combined with NIL rules (name, image, and likeness), has essentially created free agency in college football.
So far, the Tennessee Vols have avoided losing any players to the portal since the end of the regular season. Running back Tiyon Evans — as far as we know — was the last Vol to hit the portal (Evans entered the portal before UT's regular-season finale against Vanderbilt).
The Vols, however, aren't out of the woods yet. There's a very real possibility that Tennessee could lose some players to the portal after their Music City Bowl matchup against Purdue.
The Athletic's Max Olson reported on Tuesday that one college football staffer told him to expect two more major waves of transfers — after bowl games and after the College Football Playoff.
This lines up with what I've heard from a source close to Tennessee's football program.
According to the source, the Vols will likely have some players — specifically players from UT's 2020 signing class — hit the portal after the Music City Bowl.
The Vols have already had several players from the 2020 class hit the transfer portal, including Keyshawn Lawrence (transferred to Oklahoma before the 2021 season), Harrison Bailey, Morven Joseph (transferred to Florida Atlantic this week), Malachi Wideman (transferred to Jackson State before the 2021 season), and Martavius French (Hutchinson Community College earlier this fall).
Players can change their minds at any time, so it's no guarantee that anyone will hit the portal. But don't be surprised if it happens.
Some potential candidates to transfer from UT's 2020 signing class include running back Dee Beckwith, running back Len'Neth Whitehead, and wide receiver Jimmy Holiday.
Tennessee fans shouldn't freak out if a few players hit the portal. That's pretty much standard procedure in college football in 2021. Some players aren't comfortable being buried on the depth chart and waiting for their turn. That's why depth is hard for programs to build — everyone seemingly wants immediate playing time.
While the Vols may lose some players to the portal, they'll also likely make some key additions via the portal.
Featured image via USA TODAY SPORTS
