Tennessee football concluded its spring practice on Saturday afternoon with the 2024 Orange and White Game at Neyland Stadium.
With spring practice in the rearview, Tennessee now turns its attention to spring transfer portal period before moving into summer workouts as the build up towards kickoff progresses.
The transfer portal opens up on Tuesday and is open for two weeks before closing at the end of the month. Could Tennessee football be active in the portal?
The Vols didn’t add anyone in the transfer portal during the spring period last season and it wouldn’t be shocking if Josh Heupel and his staff didn’t add anyone to the roster in the spring after adding eight players in the winter.
However, there are a few spots that would make sense for Tennessee to add a player at in the transfer portal. Taking a look at four positions here.
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1. Defensive Backfield
There’s not one particular position in the defensive backfield that Tennessee needs help at but depth is a question at nearly every position.
Sophomores Rickey Gibson II and Jermod McCoy are seemingly locked in as starters at corner but after Tennessee lost a myriad of corners to the transfer portal in the winter period there’s not a ton of depth at that spot.
The Vols’ safety starters seem relatively secure too with Andre Turrentine and MTSU transfer Jakobe Thomas but neither of those are proven starters and depth remains a question.
Adding a defensive back in the transfer portal would make sense for Tennessee.
2. Running Back
Tennessee’s running back depth was tested this spring with sophomore Cameron Seldon undergoing shoulder surgery and early enrollee freshman Peyton Lewis also missing time.
With Seldon potentially sidelined to start the season, Tennessee has no proven running backs behind Dylan Sampson.
Do the Vols look to add someone in the portal or do they have enough confidence in underclassmen DeSean Bishop and Khalifa Keith to roll with them.
3. Offensive Line
The drop off is pretty sizable in need from two to three in my opinion. Tennessee has four solid interior offensive linemen but three are veterans that have some injury concerns.
Behind that group there’s no clear options to step up for Tennessee. The Vols have two starters locked into the offensive tackle spots bur Dayne Davis is truly the only backup there.
Adding a versatile backup who could play multiple spots would be beneficial for the Vols.
4. Quarterback
Tennessee is in the same quarterback conundrum they’ve been in all offseason. Nico Iamaleava is the no doubt starting quarterback but there’s a backup spot open.
That’s the challenge for Tennessee, trying to find a veteran and capable quarterback who is happy to be a backup. Alabama added someone like that in Notre Dame’s Tyler Buchner last season. Maybe Tennessee finds someone like that this year.
If not, Gaston Moore seems to be the leader to land the backup spot. He capped off spring practice with a strong performance in the Orange and White game. Freshman Jake Merklinger could also push for that backup spot.
