Freshman
There are lots of receivers on the open market this year for Tennessee football to target, and despite the talent they have already at the position and what they have coming in, they could use somebody a little more proven for them there. After all, Velus Jones Jr. and JaVonta Payton aren’t going to be easily replaceable, even with Cedric Tillman back.
Unfortunately for Rocky Top, there aren’t that many players in the portal from high profile enough schools who have a proven track record of production. As a result, taking another player with elite talent just to add more depth and competition and increasing their chances of offsetting those losses is Josh Heupel’s best bet.
Deion Smith could at least offset Payton’s departure in a big way. At 6’3″ 198 pounds, he could start opposite Tillman at wideout. In one year with the LSU Tigers, the graduate of Jackson Academy in Mississippi had 11 catches for 186 yards and two touchdowns.
Smith would be like an added recruit, as he will bring three years of eligibility to wherever he goes. It’s clear he’s a rising star at receiver, though, and given Heupel’s offense, you have to think the Vols have a shot with him going forward.