Comments from Dabo Swinney show why the Tennessee Vols haven't taken more transfer players
The Tennessee Vols haven't been overly aggressive in taking players from the NCAA transfer portal over the last couple of weeks. Tennessee has taken four players (kicker, offensive lineman, tight end, and linebacker) from the transfer portal during the current cycle. They haven't addressed their secondary, perhaps their biggest need after the pass defense struggled […]
The Tennessee Vols haven't been overly aggressive in taking players from the NCAA transfer portal over the last couple of weeks.
Tennessee has taken four players (kicker, offensive lineman, tight end, and linebacker) from the transfer portal during the current cycle. They haven't addressed their secondary, perhaps their biggest need after the pass defense struggled in 2022.
The Vols will likely add some more players from the portal after the bowl games, but it's clear that Tennessee isn't interested in loading up on transfer players.
Some comments from Clemson Tigers head coach Dabo Swinney on Thursday might explain why Josh Heupel and his staff haven't taken more players from the portal.
Swinney has been outspoken about not taking a lot of players from the transfer portal. But it's not necessarily because he's against players transferring, it's because of the impact that transfers can have on a team's culture.
"If you're constantly bringing in guys over guys, it changes your culture, that's part of it," said Swinney on Thursday during a joint press conference with Heupel.
Swinney also noted that it has to be a good fit for both sides for a transfer player to work.
"A lot of these guys are looking for certain things — that's why they're in the portal," said Swinney. "It's gotta be a good fit on both sides."
Heupel, his staff, and his players have worked hard to change Tennessee's culture. As a result, they're going to be careful about who they bring into the program. A guy might be a great player, but if he's going to be bad for the culture, the Vols are going to take a pass. And that's the right approach.
If the culture is bad, talent doesn't matter. Tennessee finally has its culture in a good place. And taking a talented player who doesn't fit that culture simply isn't worth it.
Featured image via ALEX HICKS JR./STAFF / USA TODAY NETWORK
