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“No Pair: Former Tennessee Vols Players Named Among the Most Underrated Transfers of the Offseason”
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No Pair: Former Tennessee Vols Players Named Among the Most Underrated Transfers of the Offseason
In a transfer portal era defined by chaos and high-profile moves, the subtle brilliance of linebacker Elijah Herring and wide receiver Ramel Keyton is finally receiving overdue attention. The pair, both crucial rotational pieces for Tennessee over the last few seasons, are now projected to be impact players at their new schools. And while neither transfer headlined breaking news across national platforms, recent evaluations by college football analysts at outlets like On3, 247Sports, and The Athletic have placed both Herring and Keyton among the “Top 10 Most Underrated Transfers of the 2025 Offseason.”
Before diving into their individual profiles, it’s important to understand how and why this shift happened in Knoxville. The Vols, once trending upward under Josh Heupel, saw a number of key contributors exit following a disappointing 2024 campaign that saw the team finish 7-5 and fall out of College Football Playoff contention.
The departure of quarterback Nico Iamaleava to the NFL Draft sparked a ripple effect. Several players, including underused veterans and position players seeking more consistent snaps, made the difficult decision to seek opportunities elsewhere. While names like Bru McCoy and Squirrel White garnered more media attention, Herring and Keyton’s decisions may ultimately yield higher on-field returns.
Elijah Herring came to Tennessee with high upside—a high-motor linebacker from Riverdale High School in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Despite limited reps in his freshman year, Herring quickly became a trusted rotational piece by 2023. By 2024, he logged 58 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, and two forced fumbles while appearing in all 12 games.
What made Herring valuable at Tennessee wasn’t just his stats—it was his relentless energy, leadership in the locker room, and football IQ. However, with the emergence of freshmen phenoms and shifts in defensive philosophy, Herring’s role began to diminish. His snap count dropped by nearly 25% in the final four games of the season.
In search of a more prominent role, Herring entered the transfer portal in December 2024 and landed at Iowa State, where defensive coordinator Jon Heacock saw an instant fit for his aggressive 3-3-5 scheme. Early spring practice reports confirm that Herring is now working with the first-team defense and is being considered for the team’s “Star” linebacker spot—a hybrid role requiring speed, instinct, and field command.
“Herring isn’t just a plug-and-play guy—he’s a potential All-Big 12 breakout candidate if used correctly,” said Brad Crawford of 247Sports. “He’s going to be the heart of that Cyclones defense within two months.”
Herring lacked the flashy numbers or hype that often follows SEC linebackers. But evaluators now see that his sideline-to-sideline range, coupled with a relentless work ethic, makes him one of the portal’s sneakiest impact additions.
Ramel Keyton’s story is one of resilience and patience. A fifth-year senior, Keyton was once a four-star prospect out of Marietta, Georgia, known for his crisp route-running and polished hands. But at Tennessee, his career never quite took off the way many had expected.
Over the course of his Vols career, Keyton totaled 98 catches for 1,346 yards and 11 touchdowns. He was often used as a third or fourth option in Josh Heupel’s offense, overshadowed by flashier names like Jalin Hyatt, Cedric Tillman, and Bru McCoy.
Still, coaches raved about Keyton’s maturity and consistency. “He was always ready,” former Tennessee offensive coordinator Joey Halzle said. “Any time his number was called, he executed.”
Now at Boston College, Keyton has already found himself in the spotlight. New head coach Bill O’Brien, formerly of Alabama and the Houston Texans, has made it clear that Keyton will be a centerpiece in his pro-style offense. With spring practices concluding in April, Keyton led all receivers in scrimmage yards and was named a team captain just months after arriving.
What Analysts Are Saying:
“Keyton has NFL potential if he stays healthy and becomes the go-to guy,” said Max Olson of The Athletic. “His body control and route precision are elite. He just needs volume.”
Why He’s Underrated:
Most portal headlines focus on flashy transfers with multiple years of eligibility. Keyton, entering his sixth year, flew under the radar—but his experience and skillset may be exactly what Boston College needs as it rebuilds its identity under O’Brien.The additions of Herring and Keyton to this offseason’s “underrated” list also point toward a broader pattern. In a landscape increasingly dominated by NIL headlines and freshmen five-stars, coaches are rediscovering the value of mature, low-maintenance veterans.
“These are guys who’ve played in the SEC, who’ve been coached at a high level and understand the grind of college football,” said college football insider Andy Staples. “They may not bring hype, but they bring reliability—and that wins games in November.”
For programs like Iowa State and Boston College—both outside the elite recruiting circles—this strategy is more than just effective. It’s essential.
There’s no bad blood between the former players and Tennessee, according to sources close to both athletes. “It was just time,” said a person familiar with Herring’s decision. “He loved Tennessee, but he wanted to be on the field every down. Iowa State offered that.”
Keyton, similarly, left on good terms. “He was a consummate pro,” one Vols staffer told Knoxville News Sentinel. “Quiet, consistent, dependable. We’ll miss him.”
Still, it’s a tough pill for Tennessee fans to swallow, watching former Vols step into starting roles elsewhere—particularly with question marks looming at both linebacker and receiver for the 2025 squad.
The Volunteers haven’t stood still this offseason either. They’ve brought in several intriguing portal additions of their own and are developing a new quarterback room in the wake of Iamaleava’s departure. But the spotlight placed on Herring and Keyton’s portal value raises legitimate questions about Tennessee’s player development and long-term portal strategy.
In a time when roster turnover is inevitable, how can Tennessee hold onto undervalued gems before they seek opportunity elsewhere?
Josh Heupel addressed that question during SEC Media Days in Atlanta earlier this month, saying:
“You want to see guys like Elijah and Ramel flourish. We do everything we can to give players the tools they need to succeed here, but sometimes the path is clearer somewhere else. That’s the reality now. We wish them nothing but the best—and I mean that.”
In an age of bold declarations and prime-time press conferences, Elijah Herring and Ramel Keyton took the road less traveled—and now, they may be the ones who have the last word.
Neither came into the portal with fireworks, but both leave Tennessee with their heads high, seeking the one thing every athlete craves: a true opportunity to lead.
And as fall 2025 approaches, don’t be surprised when Herring makes a game-saving tackle on third-and-short or Keyton catches the game-winning touchdown against a top-10 ACC opponent. They may have been underrated by national media—but their value is finally being recognized in the places that count most.
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