Pair of Tennessee Vols transfers could help Brian Kelly change the narrative at LSU that he unintentionally started

A pair of former Tennessee Vols defenders could be heading to Baton Rouge to play for the LSU Tigers. 

According to On3's Pete Nakos, former Vols defensive back Wesley Walker is expected to visit Baton Rouge this weekend. 

Nakos also noted that former Tennessee defensive lineman Tyler Baron could be joining Walker on the visit to LSU. 

Baron and Walker are stepbrothers. 

Walker, who started his college career at Georgia Tech before transferring to Tennessee ahead of the 2022 season, initially transferred to Louisville this offseason before re-entering the NCAA transfer portal after spring practice. 

Baron, who spent the first four years of his career at Tennessee, also transferred to Louisville this offseason and went through spring practice with the Cardinals.

The former Vols defensive lineman, however, suffered an injury early in spring practice that's expected to keep him sidelined until fall camp. 

Earlier this month, LSU head coach Brian Kelly generated headlines when he said that the Tigers aren't "in the market of buying players". 

"We're not in the market of buying players," said Kelly. "And unfortunately, right now, that's what some guys are looking for. They want to be bought. Look, I understand NIL is part of this. We have an incredible collective. We have very generous opportunities around the greater Baton Rouge area for NIL opportunities. So they are here, but we're not going to go out and buy players. That's not what this is about. This was never about that. We will develop you, we will get you ready for the next step." 

LSU is in need of a defensive lineman from the portal. Landing Baron, specifically, could help Kelly change the narrative that he unintentionally started with his ill-advised comments (Kelly had nothing to gain by making that comment). It doesn't matter what goes into landing Baron, just bringing that type of talent to Baton Rouge after the recent comments from Kelly could help the veteran head coach quickly save face. 

Baron totaled a career high 10.5 sacks last season with the Vols. 

Walker, meanwhile, recorded a career high 53 tackles at Tennessee in 2023. 

Baron and Walker are eligible to transfer to an SEC program despite entering the portal during the spring window because they enrolled at Louisville ahead of spring practice. It's a bit of a portal loophole.