During the early stages of the game, the defense held the upper hand. The offense had several injuries and players not participating, thus it was simple for the defense to overpower the offensive up front early in the game. Neither team’s offensive was able to get in the endzone in the first quarter, and it looked like the offense was unable to move the ball during most of it.

Part of the offensive problem was a result of a poor offensive line and running backs unable to get yards for each unit. Both positions have a list of players with ailments, so it’s no surprise they failed to move the ball on the ground.

Each side of the ball experienced some challenges throughout the day as the offense started finding its flow in the second quarter. While I think each of the position groupings on this list will be alright, they might use another depth piece to aid them in the fall if they do have the injury bug when the season starts.

The spring transfer portal window opens on April 15 and will continue open until April 30. Here are three position groupings Heupel and the Vols should focus on in the spring transfer portal.

Running back

The run game was a concern in the Orange & White Game. Both offenses combined for 68 yards without their top two running backs, Dylan Sampson and Cam Seldon. Will the Vols need to rely on their third or fourth running back this year? Hopefully not, but it is a possibility.

If injuries continue to plague the Vols, they will need another option in the backfield. Although an All-American running back contender would be wonderful, they don’t need to go for one. They must search for another depth component to add to the roster to help the running game throughout a grueling SEC season.

Tennessee has worked out how to run a three running back scheme in years past with different backs sharing time, but injuries might handicap the Vols this year or hamper the efficiency of the running back position. That’s not ideal, with a young quarterback directing the offense for the first time.

Offensive line

One key reason for the offensive difficulty is the huge list of offensive linemen injured for the spring game. The Vols had six linemen out due to injuries. While it might not be an issue coming autumn, it should be a topic of concentration for Heupel to improve in case some of the ailments they are having up front carry over into the summer and fall.

Tennessee also has a solid experienced presence up front and will replace a couple linemen following this season. While we can’t go too far ahead of ourselves, it’s crucial in the world of NIL and transfer portal to always have a backup plan, especially with the offensive line.

There will likely be a handful of solid offensive lineman hitting the portal during the spring window, so Tennessee will have an opportunity to find some depth pieces if they feel like the offensive line will still be an issue coming fall.

Secondary

The defensive secondary is the third group Tennessee could focus on during the spring transfer portal window. The Vols’ secondary has battled over the previous several years, and it felt like it suffered again in the spring game.

The defense also struggled to keep up with the receivers once the offense started moving the football. With each team’s run game failing, they had to move the ball through the air. Each side was able to locate openings in the secondary and move the ball through the air in the second quarter.

Tennessee rebuilt its secondary through the transfer portal following the 2023 season but could attempt to get some additional help during the spring window to continue to fill in areas it struggled in throughout spring.

We shall see what position groups Heupel and Tennessee emphasize during the spring transfer portal window or whether they try to bring in any new players at all. With the globe of NIL growing, we can see that the spring transfer portal window is an important moment for every team to add players where they are struggling in their last attempt to create their team for the next season.