NFL News NFL News, Reports and Updates
The last month of a college football season has never been more congested. And it’s not just because so many teams are battling for a spot in the 12-team College Football Playoff.
Consider what’s coming next.
The first signing period for the 2025 recruiting class is December 4. The transfer portal also will be open for business in December.
There’s considerable irony in that. Even as a program is trying to win the 2024 championship, it can’t ignore what comes next. If it does, it could pay a high price.
Take Tennessee, for example. The Vols will suffer significant attrition after this season.
They likely will lose junior running back Dylan Sampson to the NFL. They also could lose defensive end James Pearce and several more defensive linemen.
But their most significant losses could occur in the offensive line, including center Cooper Mays, who has been one of their most valuable players the past two seasons. Tennessee should keep that in mind when it maps out its NIL strategy.
How well the Vols can fill their offensive line vacancies could determine whether they make or miss the 2025 CFP.
Coach Josh Heupel and his staff have excelled at developing defensive linemen. That hasn’t been the case in the offensive line, where Tennessee has relied on holdovers from the Jeremy Pruitt era and transfers.
More transfers will be needed next season since the Vols will lose all but one starter in the offensive line. The lone returnee will be Lance Heard, who transferred from LSU after his freshman season in 2023.
I’m sure the former five-star received a hefty NIL package. I’m just as sure he hasn’t been worth it.
He struggled terribly in pass protection early in the season and missed two games with an ankle injury. But his play has improved in the second half of the season.
Tennessee doesn’t have many options at that…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/tennessee-vols-battling-playoff-cant-100056461.html
Author : Knox News | The Knoxville News-Sentinel
Publish date : 2024-11-18 10:00:56
Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.
