Tennessee football has picked up its first transfer commitment in this portal cycle. Tight end McCallan Castles announced via Twitter he would be transferring from the UC Davis Aggies to the Vols.
Castles comes to Knoxville as a grad transfer. He was ranked as a three-star prospect out of high school, and he was ranked as the No. 18 tight end in the class of 2018. He is from South Lake Tahoe, CA.
Out of high school, Castles attended the Cal Golden Bears. He had one 15-yard catch in 2018 and didn’t record any stats in 2019 before transferring to UC Davis.
A three-time All Big Sky tight end, Castles was highly sought after once he hit the portal on Nov. 28, measuring out at 6-foot-5 and 230-pounds.
This past season, he caught 30 passes for the Aggies, going for 347 yards and two touchdowns. In 2021, Castles caught 27 passes for 387 yards and four touchdowns.
Tennessee football utilized Princeton Fant and Jacob Warren this season in the tight end spot. Fant has run out of eligibility, and Warren informed Off The Hook Sports earlier this year he forgo his extra year of eligibility.
Castles brings experience to Tennessee and can fill the void that will be left behind by Fant and Warren. Given his frame, he will likely play more the role of Fant.
This past year, Fant caught 20 passes for 222 yards and three touchdowns, but he also had five touchdown runs on six carries, and he even threw for a touchdown. His production will be difficult to replace.
Miles Campbell was supposed to be the guy in line to replace him, but he announced last week he was entering the transfer portal. Ethan Davis is a commitment for 2023 who has a similar profile.
Still, Davis would have been the only player to fit that profile, as Charlie Browder has more of Warren’s profile at 6-foot-7 250 pounds. Castles brings much-needed depth to Tennessee football at tight end.
