Tennessee Vols are pursuing a must-add defensive player in transfer portal
The Tennessee Vols haven't had much luck in the transfer portal this offseason. On Thursday, UT lost a commitment from Wyoming wide receiver Isaiah Neyor, who flipped from Tennessee to Texas. So far this offseason, the Vols have added just three players via the transfer portal: QB Navy Shuler (Appalachian State)TE Charlie Browder (UCF)OL Gerald […]
The Tennessee Vols haven't had much luck in the transfer portal this offseason.
On Thursday, UT lost a commitment from Wyoming wide receiver Isaiah Neyor, who flipped from Tennessee to Texas.
So far this offseason, the Vols have added just three players via the transfer portal:
- QB Navy Shuler (Appalachian State)
- TE Charlie Browder (UCF)
- OL Gerald Mincey (Florida)
Tennessee badly needs to add some depth to its roster. One of the biggest reasons the Vols weren't able to compete against Alabama and Georgia in the fourth quarter in 2021 was a severe lack of depth — specifically on the defensive side of the ball.
UT, however, still has time to add some players from the transfer portal. Most of their additions last year came after National Signing Day in February.
One of the players the Vols are currently pursuing should be considered a must-add player.
Tennessee recently offered Louisiana linebacker Lorenzo McCaskill, a Michigan native who signed with the Cajuns during the 2018 recruiting cycle.
McCaskill, who has one year of eligibility remaining, played in 40 games at Louisiana. He totaled 239 tackles, including eight tackles for loss and four sacks (McCaskill finished No. 10 in the Sun Belt in total tackles in 2021 with 84).
The Michigan native comes from an athletic family. His cousin is Malik McDowell, a Cleveland Browns defensive lineman who played at Michigan State (oddly enough, McDowell was in the news earlier this week for being arrested while naked in Florida). His uncle is former NBA All-Star guard Steve Smith.
I don't necessarily think McCaskill would come to Tennessee and turn into an All-SEC player. But he would give the Vols some options at linebacker, an area where Tennessee is extremely thin.
Missouri and Texas are also in the mix to land McCaskill. He's not expected to announce his transfer destination until May, so the Vols have plenty of time to make an impact in this recruiting battle.
One thing working in Tennessee's favor is that UT defensive coordinator Tim Banks is a Michigan native. And linebackers coach Brian Jean-Mary spent a year on the Michigan Wolverines staff. Those Michigan connections could go a long way in landing McCaskill.
Featured image via Calvin Mattheis/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK
