The transfer gateway takes, but it also gives.
While Tennessee has lost a number of players to the portal, including four who have moved to different SEC schools (Tyler Baron, Ole Miss; Tamarion McDonald, Ole Miss; Addison Nichols, Arkansas; and Doneiko Slaughter, Arkansas), the Vols have also gained some great talent.
During this period, players have until January 2nd, 2024 to submit their names into the portal, and we’re keeping track of all the comings and goings, offers, and possible targets. That may be found here.
Despite the numerous exits, Tennessee is not without hope. From the outside, the staff appears to be focusing on individual requirements and prioritizing quality above quantity. We’ll go through the list in chronological order, beginning with defensive back Jakobe Thomas.
Thomas, a native of Tullahoma, Tennessee, enrolled at MTSU after graduating from high school. He was a 3-star recruit when he signed, and the 247 rankings had him as the state’s 55th-ranked talent.
Thomas appeared in 12 games as a freshman for RS and ended ninth on the team in tackles with 37. He also had four interceptions and a pass break up, earning him Conference USA Second-Team accolades from Pro Football Focus.
Thomas shined as a sophomore with the Blue Raiders, finishing second on the team with 71 tackles, third with 5 PBUs, and tied for lead with one forced fumble and one fumble recovery. He was also the only player on the squad to prevent a goal.
He entered the transfer portal after two seasons with the Blue Raiders, committed to Oregon State, took an official visit to Tennessee, decommitted from the Beavers, and committed to the Vols in approximately two days.
MTSU doesn’t get much attention in the mainstream media, but thanks to YouTube, I discovered a video from the channel Bluechip Breakdown that goes into Thomas’ game versus Alabama last season.
The video is lengthy, and the Xs and Os analysis starts at the 3:30 mark, but it demonstrates areas of Thomas’ game where he succeeds and others where he has to improve. His squad was outmatched athletically, but Thomas could offer a boost in athleticism to the Vols’ secondary. He has strong play identification and instincts, can play both safety positions, and should contribute some run support. The first play in the highlight reel may give you PTSD from a particular safety’s terrible angles, but I invite you to watch the remainder of the film and form your own opinions on Thomas’ game.
The Tennessee defense allowed opponents to complete nearly 67 percent of their passes, ranking the Vols 126th out of 132 teams in the country. Obviously, it’s not all on the defensive backfield, but it was evident from watching the games that the DBs needed an upgrade. There’s a reason the coaching staff has brought in six corners or safeties in the last two recruiting classes.
The staff added a safety to assist out on the back end with Thomas, but adding a cornerback was still critical. And, hopefully, Jermod McCoy, who is listed as the portal’s seventh cornerback, can help cover that vacuum.
McCoy, a 3-star talent from Whitehouse, Texas, signed with Oregon State in the 2023 cycle out of high school. He started five games, played in 12, and had multiple tackles in all but three of them as a freshman. He has 31 total tackles, a fumble recovery, two interceptions, and a PBU on the season.
This critique isn’t as in-depth as the last one, but it does include actual game footage so you can see what McCoy might potentially bring to the class. The movie begins.
With Jacob Warren and McCallan Castles both out of eligibility, tight end was one of the most critical positions on the team to fill. Tennessee was said to be interested in UCONN tight end Justin Joly, especially after he destroyed the Vols for eight catches and 89 yards in UT’s 59-3 win last season. But the coaches went a different approach, signing Notre Dame transfer Holden Staes, the transfer portal’s top-rated tight end.