The Tennessee football coaching staff is still searching the transfer portal for pieces to add to their 2024 roster as the team prepares to play Iowa in the Citrus Bowl in Orlando in 2023.
To far, the Vols have added four players at key areas of need: Chris Brazzell Jr., a receiver from Tulane, Jermod McCoy, a cornerback from Oregon State, Holden Staes, a tight end from Notre Dame, and safety JaKobe Thomas from MTSU.
However, Josh Heupel said last week that Tennessee is still looking to add additional transfers, and that will continue even after the bowl game. This was mentioned when the Vols signed their first three transfers. What positions, then, ought Tennessee should target for player acquisitions?
Top Priority: Safety
Tennessee still has to increase bodies at most in the area of safety. Although there are still some unfilled positions, none of them are in dire need. Actually, Tennessee still has players that are capable of starting at every other position.
Tennessee desperately needs to add more players of starting level to their defense. Although JaKobe Thomas, a safety from MTSU, was a welcome acquisition, it was only the beginning.
The majority of Tennessee’s snaps were played by Jaylen McCollough and Wesley Walker in the previous season. Walker may be found on the transfer portal, while McCollough is no longer eligible. Rising senior Christian Charles has not yet had a significant impact, rising junior Jourdan Thomas has shown promise but lacks significant experience, and rising junior Andre Turrentine struggled in his final two starts of the season. Redshirt freshman John Slaughter and true freshman Boo Carter may also press for playing time.
In summary, Tennessee requires additional starting-caliber players at safety. They require more bodies, at the absolute least, to offer competitiveness and depth.
Benchmark Two Cornerback
Tennessee has been devastated by the transfer portal at corner this offseason, just like safety. Tennessee has more corners that seem like they could be starters for the upcoming campaign than safety.
McCoy was a reliable performer when he arrived at Oregon State as a true freshman last season. During the 2023 season, rookie Rickey Gibson III showed glimpses of brilliance. Jordan Matthews and Cristian Conyer, two gifted freshman corners, are also back for the Vols. Starting pitcher Gabe Jeudy-Lally is still eligible, however it is unlikely that he will play again.
Tennessee has a few good players at the corner, but their numbers and experience are pitiful. More of both should be added to the transfer portal.
Inside Lineman for Offense
Center Cooper Mays is back for Tennessee, and it appears likely that starting right guard Javontez Spraggins will also be back. However, Ollie Lane, the left guard, must undoubtedly be replaced by the Vols, and they don’t have many options on campus right now.
The most likely contender to replace Lane is former Texas transfer Andrej Karic, but he suffered injuries and had a difficult 2023 season with little playing time.
Furthermore, barring a significant improvement from a second-year player, there aren’t many reliable guard choices beyond Karic.