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Tennessee Football Gets More Transfer Portal News on Tuesday

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Nicholas McGee | Last updated Apr 22, 2025 6:53 PM ET

The Tennessee Volunteers have dominated the spring transfer portal headlines so far this year.

With the news that Nico Iamaleava would be transferring to the UCLA Bruins followed by reports that Joey Aguilar plans to go the other way and join the Tennessee quarterback room, the portal has already had a big impact on the Volunteers' plans for the 2025 season.

But the Volunteers will not be adding one of the top defensive linemen in the portal to their 2025 roster.

Tennessee had been one of four teams "heavily in the mix" for Syracuse Orange defensive lineman Maraad Watson, a freshman All-American in 2024.

But Watson made his decision on Tuesday, and he elected against taking his talents to Knoxville.

Per On3's Hayes Fawcett, Watson has committed to transfer to Tennessee's SEC rivals the Texas Longhorns.

BREAKING: Syracuse standout transfer DL Maraad Watson has Committed to Texas, @on3sports has learned

Totaled 31 Tackles and 1 Sack last season

Was one of the Top Available DL in the Portalhttps://t.co/RlUbB6EMhS pic.twitter.com/aOXqEWe0V6
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) April 22, 2025

Watson also picked the Longhorns over the Ohio State Buckeyes and Georgia Bulldogs.

Georgia missing out is the saving grace for Tennessee, as the Volunteers will not have to go against Watson in their first in-conference game of the 2025 season on September 13.

Still, it's a disappointment for a program that has seen 21 players leave through the transfer portal in 2025, with only four coming in. Still, things will look a little better on that front once Aguilar's commitment is confirmed.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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