Forget the autumn. December has emerged as the most important month for college football.
High school players sign with their preferred college or NIL collective. The conference titles are decided. The 12-team playoff field has been announced. Players use the transfer portal to negotiate new NIL deals.
Tennessee is right in the thick of the action.
The Vols signed the nation’s tenth best class, according to the 247Sports Composite. David Sanders, a five-star offensive tackle, is projected to meet a critical need, as are three four-star defensive linemen. They also signed four-star quarterback George MacIntyre, who might push for a backup spot behind starter Nico Iamaleava next season.
But it is the future. The present is even better. The Vols ended the regular season 10-2 and advanced to the College Football Playoff.
Now, return to the future. The transfer portal has already introduced several tempting options.
The Vols need to improve their receiving corps for next season. Do not take my word for it. Just check the statistics. No Vols wide receiver has more than 35 receptions.
Dont’e Thornton has been the best of the lot, and he’s a senior. Thornton has 25 catches for 647 yards, with a staggering 25.9 yard average per catch.
Bru McCoy, another senior, has 35 receptions for 432 yards. Junior Squirrel White has 33 catches for 364 yards.
All three have been sidelined by injuries. White is considerably more likely to have his shoulder snap out of place than to score a touchdown. He deserves credit for playing hurt, and McCoy has worked hard to recover from an injury that sidelined him the most of the 2023 season and has delayed him this season as well.
Obviously, the Vols require new legs for next season. White and Chris Brazzell, who has 28 receptions this season, should return. Mike Matthews, a highly regarded freshman, should play a larger role. But that isn’t enough.
The doorway provides hope. Furthermore, Tennessee has firsthand experience with some of the portal’s most renowned receivers, like Kevin Concepcion of NC State, Nic Anderson of Oklahoma, and Dane Key of Kentucky. They were all on UT’s opponents’ rosters.
Concepcion, a sophomore, has 124 receptions for 1,299 yards and 16 touchdowns over two seasons with the Wolfpack. Key has 136 receptions for 1,870 yards and 14 touchdowns during his Kentucky career.
Anderson cannot equal those averages, but he could benefit Tennessee the most by providing a much-needed deep threat. He played only one game as a freshman and three games this season due to injuries. However, he demonstrated his talent in 2023 when he caught 38 catches for 798 yards (a 21-yard-per-catch average) and 10 touchdowns.
Another SEC receiver worth considering is C J Daniels, who began his career at Liberty and transferred to LSU before the 2024 season. He’s made 148 career receptions for 2,434 yards and 21 touchdowns.
ADAMS: Tennessee football coach Josh Heupel has proven that he can construct more than just an offence.
Wide receiver will not be UT’s only need. Like any other program with championship aspirations, it should seek upgrades wherever possible.
With Tennessee’s on-field success and NIL, it should be able to make such enhancements by coach Josh Heupel’s sixth season.