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Tennessee football: Ranking all nine transfer portal additions by potential impact

By Caleb Calhoun

Tennessee linebacker Juwan Mitchell (10) drills during fall practice at Haslam Field in Knoxville, Tenn. on Thursday, Aug. 5, 2021.Kns Tennessee Fall Practice
Tennessee linebacker Juwan Mitchell (10) drills during fall practice at Haslam Field in Knoxville, Tenn. on Thursday, Aug. 5, 2021.Kns Tennessee Fall Practice /
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Mississippi State’s JaVonta Payton (4). Mississippi State conducted its first practice of the 2019 season on Friday, August 2. Photo by Keith WarrenMsu First Football Practice
Mississippi State’s JaVonta Payton (4). Mississippi State conducted its first practice of the 2019 season on Friday, August 2. Photo by Keith WarrenMsu First Football Practice /

Senior. JaVonta Payton. 839. Pick Analysis. Wide receiver. 3. player. Scouting Report

Previous school: Mississippi State Bulldogs

Wide receiver is one area in which Tennessee football has high expectations despite limited proven production. Velus Jones Jr. is the returning star and expected to be the go-to player. A breakout year is expected from Jalin Hyatt. Ramel Keyton, Jimmy Calloway and Cedric Tillman have all stood out, and there are three members of the 2021 recruiting class providing options as well.

We know that Josh Heupel, given his system, wants to be able to rotate in and out a lot of receivers. JaVonta Payton joins Jones as the only two proven players at this level. That’s enough to make us confident he’s going to have a big impact this year.

Payton caught 28 passes for 372 yards and a touchdown in two different systems with the Mississippi State Bulldogs. Having arrived at MSU from junior college, he brings a ton of experience to the position for the Vols.

At 6’1″ 180 pounds, Payton won’t be the flashy athletic player that Jones is, nor will he provide the size that Keyton and Tillman do. He probably doesn’t have the same potential as Calloway or Hyatt either. However, he provides reliability at the position, and that’s something Heupel needs this year as he installs his offense and the other guys develop. He targeted Payton for a reason.

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