Tennessee football: 5 players Vols should target in NCAA transfer portal

KNOXVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 15: A view of the inside of Neyland Stadium during a game between the Florida Gators and Tennessee Volunteers on September 15, 2012 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by John Sommers II/Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 15: A view of the inside of Neyland Stadium during a game between the Florida Gators and Tennessee Volunteers on September 15, 2012 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by John Sommers II/Getty Images) /
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Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images
Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images /

Tennessee football focused its recruiting heavily on the offensive line this past class, and for good reason. The unit was historically bad last year. As a result, two five-star caliber offensive tackles, two more four-stars and a three-star should shore the unit up immediately. Brandon Kennedy and Riley Locklear returning to health will help too.

However, the Vols still didn’t fully fix things. With offensive tackle Drew Richmond in the transfer portal, Chance Hall being forced to give up football due to injuries, and the status of their only proven blocker in Trey Smith uncertain due to blood clots, they still need a ton more help.

Calvin Ashley could provide that for the Vols on the open market. A four-star on Rivals in the 2017 recruiting class, Ashley stands at 6’8″ and over 320 pounds. He would have at least three years left of eligibility after transferring, even if he can’t play this year, and that would be a huge boost for the Vols in the future.

Jeremy Pruitt and Derrick Ansley were with the Alabama Crimson Tide as Lane Kiffin was working to recruit Ashley, so he’s familiar with the prospect. Adding the guy would set the unit up for years to come. So they should target him heavily.