Transfer Portal Shake-Up: A Look at Tennessee, Virginia Tech, and ETSU
As the clock struck midnight this past Saturday, the transfer portal closed, signaling a whirlwind of changes for college football programs nationwide. We’re diving deep into what happened to the Tennessee Volunteers, Virginia Tech Hokies, and ETSU Buccaneers as they navigate this year’s roster shake-up.
Tennessee Volunteers: A New Landscape
Let’s kick things off in Knoxville with the Tennessee Volunteers. The Volunteers faced a substantial turnover, with a total of 18 players deciding to leave the program. While some departures were from players who had primarily backup roles, a few key names are stepping away that could impact the coming season.
One notable exit was Holden Staes, the second-string tight end, who opted to leave following the playoffs. Similarly, defensive STAR Christian Harrison and linebacker Jalen Smith are also on their way out. Backup quarterback Gaston Moore made the call to explore starting opportunities elsewhere, likely with hopes of shining at a smaller school.
However, the losses don’t stop there—Tennessee faced a significant setback in their wide receiver department. With the departures of big talents like Bru McCoy and Donte Thornton Jr., the Volunteers saw five additional wide receivers enter the portal, including Squirrel White, who had been a two-year starter.
Virginia Tech Hokies: Major Changes in Blacksburg
Moving on to **Blacksburg**, the Virginia Tech Hokies are experiencing even more turnover than Tennessee. As of now, the Hokies have had a staggering 25 players make the jump to the transfer portal, and they haven’t even played their bowl game!
Most of these departures were from players who saw mainly backup snaps, but the losses hit hard on the defensive end. They bid farewell to two linebackers, Keli Lawson and Sam Brumfield, while the secondary took a significant blow with the exits of Jalen Stroman, Mose Phillips III, and Mansoor Delane, two of whom have already pledged their futures to SEC programs. There’s no denying that these transfers will leave a dent in the Hokies’ defensive lineup.
Additionally, Virginia Tech is now dealing with the consequences of losing two two-year starters on the offensive line: Xavier Chaplin and Braelin Moore. Like many others, these players have decided to pursue their careers in the highly competitive SEC.
East Tennessee State Buccaneers: A New Coach and Roster Changes
Finally, we turn our attention to Johnson City, where the East Tennessee State Buccaneers are embracing a wave of changes post-season. Since the end of the regular season on November 23rd, the Bucs have seen significant adjustments, starting with the recent hiring of Will Healy as the new head coach. Along with him, new offensive and defensive coordinators are coming onboard, but what about the players?
The Buccaneers said goodbye to some notable names who have graduated, and there have been some transfers too. Players like AJ Johnson (WR), Jaylen George (DL), Nick Hunter (LB), Ray Coney (LB), and JaQuan Adams (OL) have thrown their hats into the transfer portal.
But while some leave, others come in! ETSU has been proactive, recently announcing exciting new additions in preparation for the 2025 season. New faces heading to Johnson City include Kaven Call (DE) and Johnathan Cline (OL) from UCF, Ashton Flinn (OL) from Murray State, and tight ends Cole Keller from Washburn and Naivyan Cargill from Iowa Western.
Looking Forward
As the dust settles after this chaotic transfer season, the Volunteers, Hokies, and Bucs are all gearing up for what comes next. Whether it’s reshaping their rosters or welcoming fresh talent, one thing’s for sure: college football is a constantly evolving landscape, and the excitement never ends!
