Tennessee Vols are reportedly bringing in a transfer wide receiver for a visit

The Tennessee Vols are showing interest in a transfer wide receiver.

Zach Ragan Tennessee Volunteers News Writer
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Calvin Mattheis/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK

The Tennessee Vols are reportedly showing interest in a transfer wide receiver.

According to CBS Sports college football insiders Chris Hummer and Matt Zenitz, the Vols are planning to host Idaho State wide receiver Ian Duarte on a transfer visit.

Duarte, 5-foot-10/176 pounds from Santa Clarita, CA, caught 46 passes for 521 yards and three touchdowns in 2025.

The former three-star recruit signed with Idaho State during the 2023 recruiting cycle.

Wide receiver isn’t a big transfer need for the Tennessee Vols

Wide receiver is one position where the Vols weren’t expected to be active during the transfer cycle.

So why the interest in Duarte?

It’s possible that Duarte could serve as a kick/punt returner for the Vols. The California native returned 11 punts and 12 kicks in 2025, so he has some experience in that area.

Tennessee landed a commitment from Oklahoma State wide receiver/returner Gavin Freeman earlier this month.

Freeman, however, flipped his transfer commitment to Baylor late last week.

Adding wide receiver depth is never a bad thing, but it seems likely that Tennessee is targeting Duarte for a special teams role after losing Freeman to Baylor.