It could be a rebuilding year for Rick Barnes and Tennessee basketball at Rocky Top. Jonas Aidoo and Zakai Zeigler are the two starting pitchers that the Vols have coming back for another year. Three players from Tennessee are now on the transfer portal, and three of their seniors are graduating.
Tobe Awaka signed with the Vols on Tuesday, but it was anticipated that he would return. Awaka can choose to go back to Tennessee, but it didn’t seem like he was simply testing the waters when he sent out a farewell and thank you note to his followers.
Given that Awaka is probably out of the 2024–25 picture, Tennessee will require some assistance on the bottom end. JP Estrella, a freshman who will turn into a sophomore this season, is still available for the Vols. However, he may try to add some depth players through the portal.
Barnes and the staff may need to use the transfer portal to bring in additional production for the upcoming season because the Vols have been severely impacted by it. We all know how nicely that worked out last year when the Vols were able to acquire Dalton Knecht and Jordan Gainey through the gateway last year.
Finding the same level of output in the portal this year will be challenging, but if Barnes can locate the proper guys, it is not insurmountable. Tennessee recruited a couple athletes from high school who are listed on the portal.
Even though Barnes didn’t impress them right away, he may have an advantage over some of the opposition. These five forwards, who Tennessee recruited out of high school, are listed in the transfer portal.
