The Tennessee Vols picked up a big re-commitment (if you will) from one of their own on Friday, with the news dropping that Mike Matthews will not enter the transfer portal and will stay at Tennessee. It’s kind of a sad state that we’re in as far as having to recruit not just outside players but also your own as well, but that’s where things are at this point.
As such, it’s worth doubling back and taking a peek at what the roster looks like after all the portaling over the last month. Here’s who’s entered the portal:
- Squirrel White
- Chas Nimrod
- Kaleb Webb
- Nathan Leacock
- Nate Spillman
Donte’ Thornton, Jr. announced he’s entering the NFL Draft. Bru McCoy is out of eligibility. Seven players leaving the wide receiver room. That’s a pretty big number.
So the Vols are currently looking at a youth movement led by Matthews and perhaps Braylon Staley. The latter, a high school standout in South Carolina, got some work in the Vols’ playoff game, catching two passes for 11 yards. The talent is unquestionably there. The only question is whether Kelsey Pope can do a better job with him and Matthews than he did this year with this group as a whole. I have my concerns about that.
Chris Brazzell II is coming back as well. Brazzell came in last offseason from Tulane with a lot of excitement, but his first season in Knoxville was a mixed bag. He flashed what he could do in a couple of big moments, particularly the diving catch for the go-ahead score against Alabama. But as far as game-to-game production, it just wasn’t there for him. He finished the year with 29 catches for 333 yards and 2 touchdowns. Tennessee needs more from him. A whole lot more.
Incoming freshman Travis Smith is a name to keep an eye on as well. The four-star wideout from Atlanta (Westlake) is big, fast, and is keen at getting jump balls. He could make an early claim for playing time, particularly without many established guys right now.
Now, keep in mind, this is what we know right now. Tennessee has been linked to – and predicted by some industry experts to land – Alabama transfer wide receiver Amari Jefferson. As he didn’t log any action for the Crimson Tide in 2024, I don’t really know what to make of him. Zachariah Branch is still out there in the portal. In short, this might not be the final wide receiver room for UT next fall. However, this is all we have to go on right now.
Speaking of incoming freshman, the tight end room will get an interesting player in DaSaahn Brame. He has good length at 6’4”, but he’s a bit undersized at 225 pounds. He should be a quick asset in the passing game though. Miles Kitselman is back to lead the group after a solid first year in Knoxville. Ethan Davis is back as well. Holden Staes was the only notable loss through the portal.
So, that’s kind of the lay of the land for Tennessee’s pass catchers right now. Absent some major portal moves – which could still happen – it’s going to be largely a youth movement there in Knoxville in 2025.