The Tennessee Vols missed on a key defensive transfer and got reminded of a harsh truth about the portal in the process
The Tennessee Vols are hoping to make some waves in the NCAA transfer portal.
The Tennessee Vols missed on a key defensive transfer target on Sunday.
But it’s not entirely the Vols’ fault.
On3’s Steve Wiltfong reported on Sunday that Colorado Buffaloes transfer safety Tawfiq Byard committed to the Texas A&M Aggies.
Byard, the younger brother of Chicago Bears safety Kevin Byard, was one of the Vols’ top transfer safety targets. He was expected to take a visit to Tennessee before committing to Texas A&M.
Tennessee reminded of a harsh truth about the transfer portal
Every transfer situation is unique, but getting the first visit from a transfer player clearly increases the odds of landing him.
And unfortunately for the Vols, there’s not much you can do about it. It’s not like Tennessee can get all of their transfer targets on campus on the first day the portal is open (that isn’t possible for any program). In most cases, it’s just luck of the draw, depending on travel logistics and other factors.
When it comes to Byard, the Vols simply never received an opportunity to truly recruit him.
Tennessee’s been on both sides of this, too. The Vols landed Kansas State transfer safety Qua Moss on Sunday before he could take other visits.
There aren’t many for-sure outcomes when it comes to the portal. Often, portal success comes down to being in the right place at the right time with the right player and the right contract offer.
The only thing Tennessee can do is try to be more aggressive about getting transfer players on campus as soon as the portal opens. But there’s no guarantee that would lead to more portal success.
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