Insider hints at the reason why a Tennessee Vols starting guard entered the NCAA transfer portal
Tennessee Vols sophomore guard Bishop Boswell is reportedly planning to enter the NCAA transfer portal when it officially opens on April 7. Boswell started 33 games for the Volunteers this past season.
Tennessee Vols sophomore starting guard Bishop Boswell is reportedly planning to enter the NCAA transfer portal when it opens on April 7.
Boswell, a former four-star recruit from Charlotte, started 33 games for the Vols this past season.
The 6-foot-4 guard averaged 6.2 points per game and 4.4 rebounds per game as a sophomore in 2025-26. Boswell also averaged 1.2 steals per game. He has two seasons of eligibility remaining.
“First I want to thank God for giving me this wonderful life,” wrote Boswell in an Instagram post. “This journey has been nothing short of amazing. The people I’ve met, the family I’ve gained, and the experiences have been unforgettable. Being able to spend these last two years as a Tennessee Volunteer is something I’ll cherish forever.
“I would like to thank Coach Barnes and his staff for giving me a chance to chase my dream and play the game I love in a Tennessee uniform. At this time I have decided to enter my name into the transfer portal. I hope you can respect this decision as it was not an easy one. Tennessee will always hold a special place in my heart. All the best.”
Insider hints at the reason for Bishop Boswell’s transfer decision
On3’s Chris Low sent a tweet on Monday that seemed to hint at the reason for Boswell’s transfer decision.
“Talked to several around Tennessee’s program and Vols are willing to pay, but not overpay,” wrote Low while quoting a tweet about Boswell’s decision. “Rick Barnes will be aggressive in the portal. Emphasis will be on players who want to be at Tennessee and build on three straight Elite Eights, and he knows he has to have more scorers.”
Low didn’t say it explicitly, but it certainly sounds like Tennessee didn’t want to pay the amount that it would’ve taken to keep Boswell in orange and white.
Tennessee is committed to building a championship-caliber roster that can finally get over the Elite Eight hump. Boswell was a solid player for the Vols this past season, but it seems that his asking price doesn’t align with what Tennessee feels his play is worth.
And that’s fair on both sides. The Vols have to budget their money the way they see fit in order to put a championship roster on the floor. Boswell, meanwhile, likely wants to maximize his value during his final two seasons in college (he probably won’t be an NBA draft prospect, so this is the best time for him to cash in).
Like it or not, this is the way the portal works these days. And programs can either play the NIL game, or they can watch another team cut down the nets.
Fortunately for Vols fans, Tennessee is playing the NIL game.
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