Tennessee’s Offensive Line Plans Derail as Top Transfer Target Chooses Oregon
Tennessee football’s search for reinforcements in the transfer portal hit a setback as top offensive line target Emmanuel Pregnon committed to Oregon on Tuesday morning.
The 6-foot-5, 320-pound left guard, who previously played for Southern California, had been highly sought after by multiple programs, including Tennessee, LSU, and Oregon. Pregnon’s decision to join the Ducks was first reported by Hayes Fawcett of On3.
Pregnon, regarded as one of the premier offensive linemen available in the portal, visited Tennessee, LSU, and Oregon before making his final choice. As a four-star transfer and the No. 11 overall player in the portal according to 247Sports, he brought considerable experience and skill to the table.
He also earned recognition as the No. 2 interior offensive lineman in the transfer portal.
During the 2023 season, Pregnon started all 13 games at left guard for USC, racking up 882 snaps and earning a respectable 71.0 grade from Pro Football Focus (PFF). His contributions were crucial to the Trojans’ offensive line, and his two-year tenure at USC followed a transfer from Wyoming after his freshman year.
With one year of eligibility remaining, Pregnon will now continue his career with Oregon.
This loss comes at a pivotal time for Tennessee, whose offensive line is undergoing significant changes this offseason.
The Vols have already seen key departures, including center Cooper Mays and right guard Javontez Spraggins, both of whom graduated. Additionally, left guard Andrej Karic’s future is uncertain.
Karic is seeking an extra year of eligibility from the NCAA after exceeding the redshirt limit by just five snaps due to an injury he sustained in Tennessee’s victory over Kentucky.
So far, Tennessee has made one addition to its offensive line in the form of Arizona’s Wendell Moe, a former All-Pac 12 selection.
Moe is expected to take over the starting role at right guard. Had Pregnon chosen Tennessee, he would have been a strong candidate to start at left guard, especially if Karic is not granted another year of eligibility.
Tennessee’s struggles in the portal aren’t limited to Pregnon. Earlier in the offseason, the Vols also lost out on Northwestern offensive guard transfer Josh Thompson, who ultimately committed to LSU.
This marks another missed opportunity for Tennessee, who have been working to strengthen both their offensive and defensive lines, as well as their wide receiver corps, ahead of the 2025 season.
Despite these setbacks, Tennessee’s coaching staff, led by head coach Josh Heupel, remains committed to improving the roster. With the portal still open for business, the Vols will likely continue to pursue additional transfers to shore up their lineups for the upcoming season.
Their efforts to bolster both the offensive and defensive lines, in particular, are critical for maintaining competitiveness in the SEC.
The team’s performance next season will depend heavily on how effectively they can address these gaps through both the portal and the upcoming recruiting class.
