Ideal Dylan Sampson replacement for Tennessee is waiting in the transfer portal

While there’s been some negative news surrounding the Tennessee Vols football team this week, nothing hit bigger/worse than when running back Dylan Sampson announced he won’t be back in 2025. The hope was that he’d return for one last campaign, but the NFL Draft is calling his name.

Because of that, a massive void is going to be left for the Vols offense. It’s going to be nearly impossible to replace the production the SEC Player of the Year provided for UT. While there’s young talent in Knoxville at the position, could it make sense for Josh Heupel and his coaches to go after someone in the portal?

We think so and there’s one player in particular we’ve got our eyes on. That’d be Wisconsin transfer Tawee Walker, who just wrapped up his first and only season in Madison. With Walker in the portal once again, could Heupel and Co. come calling?

Tennessee should make a run to land Wisconsin transfer RB Tawee Walker

After being a standout in the JUCO ranks, Walker signed with Oklahoma in 2022 and spent two years in Norman. He then made his way to Wisconsin and was brilliant at times with the ball in his hands this past fall. On the year, the 5-9, 218-pounder rushed for 864 yards and 10 touchdowns.

The Wisconsin offensive line was far from consistent in ’24, which prevented Walker from having much success against winning teams. However, we think things would potentially go much better for him in Knoxville, especially with some key returners on their way back, plus the team signing Wendell Moe Jr. from the portal.

Walker is surely receiving plenty of interest now that he’s in the portal, but with one more year of eligibility remaining, he’s going to want to join a contender. Tennessee just made the CFP for the first time in program history and they have an opening for the RB1 job. If Walker wants to suit up for a big-time school and potentially lift his draft stock, then making the move to Tennessee could make sense for him.