Josh Heupel has put an emphasis on going after wide receivers and tight ends early in this portal cycle for Tennessee football. Two wide receivers Heupel reportedly was after announced their commitments on Thursday.
RaRa Thomas, a transfer from Mississippi State, announced he was committing to Georgia.
Thomas entered the transfer portal on Dec. 2. The 6-foot-2 and 200-pound receiver led Mississippi State with 626 receiving yards and seven touchdowns on 44 receptions.
He will have two years left of eligibility remaining. Thomas was a three-star prospect out of high school.
Tennessee football also lost out on Kent State transfer Devontez Walker. Walker announced he was committing to North Carolina.
Walker is from Charlotte, N.C. so his transfer to the Tar Heels comes as no surprise. He finished the 2022 season with 921 yards and 11 touchdowns on 58 catches. Most notably, he had 106 yards and a touchdown against Georgia.
The 6-3 and 190-pound receiver visited UNC on Dec. 10, where he met Drake Maye and attended a basketball game. He also took an official visit to UNC.
Walker told Off The Hook Sports earlier this month that there was mutual interest with Tennessee football. Many expected the receiver to take a visit to Knoxville in January. Ultimately, he decided to go back home and play for the Tar Heels.
With the transfer portal open this cycle until Jan. 18, Heupel and his staff still have a lot of time to go after some more offensive talent.
Tennessee extended a scholarship offer to Jake Roberts on Thursday.
The North Texas tight end finished the 2022 season with 28 catches for 394 yards and three touchdowns. At 6-5 and 250-pounds, Roberts could replace Princeton Fant for the Vols. Fant was Tennessee’s go-to tight end, but is out of eligibility after the 2022 season. Tight end Jacob Warren also may be done after the 2022 season, but he has yet to announce his decision.
Roberts could join McCallan Castles as transfer tight ends that Heupel is bringing in. Castles, hailing from UC-Davis, has already enrolled at Tennessee and is practicing. Castles also gives the Vols the size and depth at the position. He measures out at 6-5 and 240-pounds.
