While Christmas is still a bit down the road, Tennessee’s football team has a clear wish list with the transfer portal looming on the horizon. There are three really big presents that could be placed under the tree.
Tennessee coach Josh Heupel has some serious discussions to have before Dec. 4, when players are available to transfer from and to other schools across the nation. The Vols, however, don’t know exactly who they’ll need to recruit until they know who will be back.
There are several players Tennessee would like to return and some that the Vols would just as soon move on so the Vols can get a scholarship back on the books. Then, there are players who could forgo their remaining eligibility for NFL cash, which can somewhat be offset by NIL endorsements. With the regular season over, the 8-4 Vols have plenty of work to do in just about two weeks.
Let’s start with the most important names: center Cooper Mays, receiver Bru McCoy and linebacker Keenan Pili. Those three players would be welcome back at any school in the nation and there’s reason to think all three could return for one more run in Knoxville.
Mays seems likely to return for another season after telling Off The Hook Sports on Friday that he would not participate in senior day activities, which he didn’t against Vanderbilt on Saturday. Mays has some things to finalize, such as NIL deals, before he commits to another season, but all indications are he’ll return to lead the Vols at center in 2024.
McCoy has also led those around him to believe he’ll return in 2024, per sources within Tennessee’s football program. Moreover, returning to college would make much more sense considering McCoy hasn’t even been able to show off his full potential due to transferring three times and suffering a season-ending leg injury in September. McCoy could answer some pressing questions with a standout season for the Vols in 2024.
McCoy was solid in 2022, but was slowed by the NCAA’s delayed decision to deem him eligible last season. The governing body didn’t release its decision on McCoy until midway through preseason camp last season. McCoy probably wouldn’t have started last season had it not been for a persistent ankle injury suffered early in the season by starting wide receiver Cedric Tillman in September. However, McCoy’s decision is a bit murky considering his upside. Per one source close to the NFL, McCoy is Tennessee’s best all-around NFL draft prospect at any position. Think that’s complicated? Wait for Pili.
While no one knows exactly how Pili would have performed for the Vols this season, he locked down a starting position immediately when he transferred from BYU to Tennessee. However, Pili is 25-years-old and could be ready for the NFL. If he returned to Tennessee, he would be 27-years-old before he started his first NFL game. Still, like McCoy, Pili could benefit from showcasing his skills in college for another season.
The ultimate determining factor for each of Tennessee’s top three “on-team prospects” may well be finances, especially for Pili, who would also have to win an NCAA appeal since he is out of eligibility. Also, Pili is married and could be ready to start a family. That takes cash. Can Pili get more from the NFL or Tennessee? Probably the NFL, but there’s a strong argument to be made that he could make more longterm by donning a UT jersey next season.
So can NIL endorsements at Tennessee for Mays, McCoy and Pili offset a potential NFL rookie deal worth a minimum of $750,000? Moreover, will the three players be certain they would be drafted and be eligible for that rookie contract which requires making a team? The three certainly seem to have the ability but have known injury concerns and could improve their first NFL pay check by improving their stock among NFL scouts while in college.
The Vols have other players they’d welcome back with open arms, but none are more important than Mays, McCoy and Pili. If one, two or all three decide to move onto the NFL, then things will get much tougher for Tennessee’s recruiters as they scour the transfer portal for some immediate upgrades and, as we’ve learned, that can be a hit-or-miss affair.
