5 forwards Tennessee basketball recruited who are in the transfer portal

Rick Barnes and Tennessee basketball are facing a potential rebuilding year on Rocky Top. The Vols have two returning starters, Zakai Zeigler and Jonas Aidoo, returning for another season. Tennessee has three seniors graduating, and three players are currently in the transfer portal.

Tobe Awaka was expected to return for the Vols but entered the transfer portal on Tuesday. Awaka has the option to return to Tennessee, but his message to fans seemed like a farewell and thank you message rather than that he is just testing the portal waters.

With Awaka most likely out of the 2024-25 picture, Tennessee will need some help down low. The Vols still have freshman JP Estrella, who will be a sophomore this season but might look to add some depth pieces through the portal.

With the Vols being hit hard by the transfer portal, Barnes and the staff might have to dip into the portal to bring in more production for next season. The Vols were able to get Dalton Knecht and Jordan Gainey from the portal last year, and we all know how well that turned out this year.

It will be hard to find the same production in the portal this year, but it's not impossible if Barnes can find the right players. There are a few players in the portal that Tennessee recruited out of high school.

While Barnes didn't win them over initially, he might have a head start on some of the competition. Here are five forwards that are in the transfer portal that Tennessee recruited out of high school.