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Transfer Portal Trends: Tennessee, Auburn, and Wisconsin Pursuing Key Spring Additions for 2025 Season
As spring football winds down and summer preparations begin, college football programs across the country are turning their attention to the transfer portal in search of final roster reinforcements. The spring transfer window, which allows players to enter the portal following spring practices, has become a critical opportunity for teams to address roster gaps and add immediate contributors ahead of the fall season.
Among the most active and strategically focused programs in the portal right now are the Tennessee Volunteers, Auburn Tigers, and Wisconsin Badgers. Each of these schools is zeroing in on specific positional needs as they gear up for the 2025 campaign, with the goal of elevating their competitiveness in their respective conferences.
Tennessee: Bolstering the Offensive Front
For the Tennessee Volunteers, the top priority coming out of spring practice is clear: improving the offensive line. The Vols struggled with consistency up front in 2024, and with a young quarterback room heading into 2025, protecting the pocket has become more important than ever.
The coaching staff has reportedly been aggressive in pursuing offensive linemen from the transfer portal. While names have yet to be confirmed publicly, sources indicate that Tennessee is targeting experienced players who can step in and compete for starting jobs immediately. Whether it’s a tackle to anchor the edge or an interior lineman to boost the run game, the Vols are focused on finding size, toughness, and experience.
This approach reflects the staff’s desire to not only protect the quarterback but also establish a more dominant run game in the upcoming season. Tennessee has the skill talent to contend in the SEC, but without improvement along the offensive front, those weapons may not be utilized to their fullest potential.
Auburn: Reloading in the Secondary
Meanwhile, down in Auburn, the Tigers are prioritizing help on the back end of the defense. The defensive secondary, which experienced depth issues and inconsistencies in 2024, is getting a much-needed facelift this spring.
One of the more notable moves came with the addition of Raion Strader, a standout cornerback from Miami (Ohio). Strader was named the MAC Cornerback of the Year last season and earned first-team All-MAC honors, making him one of the most sought-after defensive backs in the portal. His decision to transfer to Auburn was a significant win for Hugh Freeze and his staff, as they look to build a defense capable of contending in the rugged SEC West.
Strader brings immediate experience and playmaking ability to Auburn’s secondary. He’s known for his coverage skills, physicality, and football IQ, all of which will be essential as the Tigers try to slow down high-powered offenses across the conference. More portal additions in the defensive backfield could be coming, as Auburn continues to reshape its secondary with a focus on experience and athleticism.
Wisconsin: Shoring Up the Defensive Line
Up in the Big Ten, the Wisconsin Badgers have taken a different approach by zeroing in on the defensive line. Head coach Luke Fickell is entering his second full season in Madison, and he’s made it clear that winning in the trenches remains a top priority.
The Badgers recently landed Jay’Viar Suggs, a transfer defensive lineman who began his career at LSU. Suggs brings valuable SEC experience and adds depth to a Wisconsin front that needed a boost after losing several key players to graduation and the NFL. While he may not be a headline-grabbing name, Suggs is expected to compete for significant snaps and provide a physical presence against the run.
Wisconsin’s style of play under Fickell still emphasizes toughness and discipline, and adding players like Suggs fits right into that identity. The Badgers are also keeping an eye on other defensive linemen in the portal, particularly those with versatility to play multiple spots along the front.
Strategic Moves Reflect a Changing Landscape
These three programs—Tennessee, Auburn, and Wisconsin—are emblematic of how the modern college football landscape has evolved. The transfer portal is no longer just a way to fill occasional holes; it’s now a critical tool for building competitive rosters year-round. Whether it’s Tennessee targeting linemen to protect its quarterbacks, Auburn loading up on elite defensive backs, or Wisconsin strengthening its defensive core, each school is approaching the portal with a clear and focused strategy.
With the 2025 season rapidly approaching, these moves could prove pivotal. As more names enter the portal during the spring window, fans should expect even more shake-ups and additions as teams look to finalize their rosters before summer workouts begin. The battle to land key transfers is just getting started—and the programs that capitalize now may be the ones making headlines in the fall.
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