Tennessee football’s transfer portal class has left fans underwhelmed as the window closed, with only two additions—wide receiver Amari Jefferson and offensive lineman Wendell Moe Jr. The Vols have lost 18 players to the portal, and the few additions they’ve made don’t come close to filling the depth void left behind. This has raised concerns about the team’s overall roster depth heading into the 2025 season.
While Tennessee has added Jefferson to bolster their receiving corps and Moe to shore up the offensive line, the depth issues across several key positions remain glaring. The Vols will bring in 25 high school recruits, but relying heavily on freshmen to fill significant gaps could prove risky, especially in critical areas such as wide receiver, the offensive and defensive lines, and the secondary.
VolQuest’s Brent Hubbs reports that Tennessee is not finished adding talent via the portal, with a spring window still on the horizon. Coach Josh Heupel and his staff are keenly aware of the work ahead. They’re actively looking to sign more players in positions of need, particularly on the offensive and defensive lines. One notable target is USC transfer Emmanuel Pregnon, a four-star offensive lineman currently visiting Knoxville. Adding Pregnon would be a huge boost for an offensive line that is losing several key players this offseason and desperately needs to be rebuilt in time for 2025.
Another area of concern is the running back position, with Dylan Sampson’s record-breaking season leaving big shoes to fill. Hubbs also confirmed that the Vols will continue to scout the portal for a suitable replacement.
With the College Football Playoff on the line for 2025, Tennessee’s chances of making a deeper run hinge on Heupel’s ability to work the portal and fill the holes in their depth chart. There’s a long way to go, but the clock is ticking as Tennessee looks to reload and stay competitive on the national stage.