Tennessee transfer utility bat Robin Villeneuve committed to Texas Tech baseball on his X account Friday night just over a week after entering the transfer portal.
Villeneuve spent just one season at Tennessee after transferring from Weatherford Junior College ahead of the 2024 season. The utility bat hit the ground running and was dominant in non conference play entering SEC play as an every day starter for Tennessee.
But Villeneuve struggled when SEC play began, hitting .152 with two home runs and a staggering 53% strikeout rate in 10 starts and 33 at-bats during his lone season in Knoxville. Over the course of the entire season hit .288 with five home runs and 22 RBIs.
While there was no guarantee that the Gatineau, Quebec native would be an everyday starter in 2025, he would have had a chance to compete for an everyday starting spot next season. Instead, Villeneuve will look to find a consistent starting role at a strong Texas Tech program.
More From RTI: Tony Vitello Joining MLB Network Draft Coverage
Texas Tech has been a very strong program over the last decade, taking trips to the College World Series in 2014, 2016, 2018 and 2019. The Red Raiders had made seven straight trips to the NCAA Tournament before missing it last season.
In 2024, Texas Tech went 33-26 (12-18 Big 12) and missed the NCAA Tournament. The Red Raiders faced Tennessee in both teams season opener with the Vols earning a 6-2 victory.
Villeneuve was one of seven Tennessee players to enter the transfer portal this offseason alongside third baseman Zane Denton, infielders Camden Bates and Bradke Lohry, right-handed pitcher Derek Schaefer and left-handed pitchers Wyatt Evans and Matthew Dallas.
Denton committed to Austin Peay, Lohry committed to South Florida, Evans committed to South Carolina and Schaefer committed to Arizona State.
Tennessee baseball’s landed five commits in the transfer portal to date including Kennesaw State RHP Tanner Franklin, Ole Miss LHP Liam Doyle, Ole Miss third baseman Andrew Fischer, Niagara first baseman Eric Rataczak and Louisville middle infielder Gavin Kilen.
