Former Tennessee EDGE, Louisville commit Tyler Baron expected to enter NCAA Transfer Portal

Former Tennessee EDGE Tyler Baron is expected to enter the NCAA Transfer Portal, sources tell On3’s Pete Nakos. Baron initially committed to Ole Miss in the portal before flipping his commitment to Louisville. Now, Baron will examine his options once again.

Baron spent four seasons at Tennessee. In the 2023 campaign, Baron tallied a career-high 28 tackles and six sacks while also recovering a fumble. Baron was named the SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week after recording two sacks in Tennessee’s season-opening victory over Virginia.

In four seasons with the Volunteers, Baron made 48 appearances and amassed 101 tackles, 27 tackles for loss, 13.5 sacks, four passes defended, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.

Tyler Baron played high school football at Knoxville Catholic (TN), where he was a four-star prospect. He was the No. 111 overall recruit in the 2020 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

Baron committed to Ole Miss in the portal on Dec. 16. Only one month later, Baron flipped his commitment to Louisville. Evidently, Baron still has not found what he’s looking for. He will be one of the top available defensive linemen in the transfer portal.

Louisville still boasts excellent transfer portal class

Despite the loss, Louisville is still thriving this offseason. The Cardinals have added 25 players in the transfer portal, including standouts such as Ja’Corey Brooks (Alabama) and Jaleel Skinner (Miami). The additions have earned Louisville the No. 1 spot atop On3’s Transfer Portal Team Rankings.

Judging from Louisville head coach Jeff Brohm’s previous comments, he isn’t afraid of the changes.

“I just think the college landscape has changed quite a bit,” Brohm said in February. “Yes, it will continue to probably adapt moving forward even more. We just try to figure it out, and make the most of it. From our end, I think you always have to be ready for roster change, and that is always going to be guys that graduate.

“Guys that enter the NFL Draft, guys that are maybe unhappy with their playing time. Then you factor in that these guys can transfer freely basically whenever they want, so you have got to be prepared to add to your roster.”

Louisville was among the top winners in the transfer portal last season, as well. The program’s success in the portal paid dividends on the field. In Brohm’s first season at the helm, he guided the Cardinals to a 10-4 record and an appearance in the ACC Championship, ultimately falling to Florida State.