The Tennessee Vols have added several key transfer players to their roster this offseason, addressing needs at wide receiver, in the secondary, and along the offensive line.
It’s the offensive line addition that 247Sports thinks will be the most “impactful” for Tennessee in 2024.
The national sports media outlet recently predicted each preseason top 25 team’s most impactful transfer in 2024 and they went with LSU offensive tackle transfer Lance Heard for the Vols.
From 247Sports: Elite talent at the tackle position is extremely tough to come by in the portal, but the Vols got a premier player in Heard, who was a five-star prospect in last year’s recruiting class. He projects as the team’s starting left tackle for the next two seasons or more.
Tennessee found themselves in a bit of a tough situation last month when offensive lineman Gerald Mincey, who initially announced he was returning to Knoxville in 2024, entered the transfer portal in search of a new home.
The Vols pursued a couple of offensive tackle options in the portal before eventually landing Heard, who is expected to start at left tackle with John Campbell moving to right tackle.
Mincey, meanwhile, committed to Kentucky.
Tennessee is hoping that Heard will be an upgrade over Mincey. If he is, then it’s not hard to see the former LSU offensive lineman emerging as the Vols’ most impactful transfer player in 2024.