Tennessee Vols lose another defender to the NCAA transfer portal

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Zach Ragan | Last updated 4/29/24

The Tennessee Vols will have plenty of new faces in the secondary in 2024.

On Monday, Vols defensive back Cristian Conyer announced that he's entering the NCAA transfer portal.

"I have entered the transfer portal with three years of eligibility remaining," wrote Conyer in a message posted on Twitter/X.com. "I'd like to thank Coach Heupel and the University of Tennessee for the chance to play in the SEC. I appreciate the support of the coaching staff, my teammates and fans. Thank you, Vol Nation!"

Conyer is the eighth Vols defensive back to enter the portal this offseason, joining Wesley Walker, Brandon Turnage, Doneiko Slaughter, Warren Burrell, Jack Luttrell, De'Shawn Rucker, and Tamarion McDonald

I have entered the transfer portal with three years of eligibility remaining. I'd like to thank Coach Heupel and the University of Tennessee for the chance to play in the SEC. I appreciate the support of the coaching staff, my teammates and fans. Thank you, Vol Nation!
— Cristian Conyer (@ConyerC2) April 29, 2024

Conyer is a former three-star recruit who signed with Tennessee during the 2023 recruiting cycle. The Kentucky native had one tackle for the Vols last season.

Vols defensive back coach Willie Martinez said earlier this spring that Conyer needs to be more consistent.

"He's ahead of what he was last year at this time," said Martinez in early April. "He's still developing. There are flashes of Cristian obviously making plays, and then there are mistakes that he needs to clean up. He's definitely further ahead than he was last year at this time. He continues still developing. We'd like for him to be a little bit more consistent, like a lot of the guys."

While the Vols lost quite a few defensive backs to the portal, they also added plenty of talent to their secondary via the transfer portal.

Tennessee added transfer cornerbacks Jalen McMurray and Jermod McCoy, as well as transfer safety Jakobe Thomas. Additionally, true freshman defensive back Boo Carter, who had an excellent spring, is expected to play significant snaps for the Vols this fall.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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