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Tennessee offensive tackle Larry Johnson set to transfer

On3 imageby:Brent Hubbs•04/20/25•

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Tennessee offensive tackle Larry Johnson is entering the transfer portal. The junior college transfer played in 11 games last year with his most extensive work coming in a win at Oklahoma. 

In 2023, Johnson played in four games before redshirting. Johnson finish spring as one of Tennessee’s top three tackles along with left tackle Lance Heard and freshman David Sanders, who arrived in January. 

Offensive line coach Glen Elarbee said that Johnson had been solid in the spring, but acknowledged he was expecting more from the Georgia native. 

“I especially in the last year, I thought he had come an unbelievably long way and being honest with him through it. I was expecting him to just like jump out and have an unbelievable spring,” Elarbee said. “He’s had a very solid one. I’m like Trey, you’ve got the capability of even taking another step. And I think he, he understands that and he agrees. We’ve been trying to be super honest in our oline room. He’s got that ability.”

Johnson’s departure makes the five star Sanders a virtual lock to start at right tackle this fall. Redshirt freshman Bennett Warren now sees himself with a great opportunity and Tennessee could slide redshirt freshman Jesse Perry back outside to provide tackle help as well. 

Understanding the portal

The spring portal window runs from April 16-25.

Players don’t have to pick a school they are going to during those specific dates but those are the span of dates on when a player can enter the portal.

Those dates don’t apply to graduate transfers who can enter the portal whenever they wish. Also, if there’s a head coaching change, players can enter the portal outside of those dates.

Vols have benefitted from the portal

The transfer portal can giveth and it can taketh away. For Josh Heupel was more of a positive than a negative for the Vols when you look back at the 2024 season. 

Left tackle Lance Heard helped the Vols rush for over 2700 yards. Tight end Miles Kitselman has been a terrific portal grab because the leader of the tight end room and emerged as Tennessee best tight end in 2024. 

Defensively, Jermod McCoy was the best transfer Tennessee took. McCoy had an all American season. 

In total, Tennessee added 10 transfers to the 2024 roster. To date, Tennessee added two offensive linemen, Wendall Moe and Sam Pendleton, along with running back Star Thomas in this portal cycle.

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