Tennessee Vols showing interest in North Carolina Tar Heels transfer player

The Tennessee Vols are in need of a starting right tackle after Gerald Mincey hit the NCAA transfer portal this week. 

Mincey is entering the portal for a second time in his collegiate career. He previously transferred from Florida to Tennessee ahead of the 2022 season. 

The Vols are reportedly receiving a visit from LSU transfer offensive tackle Zalance Heard this weekend. But that's not the only offensive lineman the Vols are showing interest in as the offseason gets underway. 

According to On3's Pete Nakos, Tennessee is also showing interest in North Carolina Tar Heels offensive lineman Diego Pounds. 

Pounds was a redshirt sophomore for North Carolina this past season. He started the season as the backup left tackle, but he quickly took over as the team's starting left tackle. 

Tar Heels offensive lineman Corey Gaynor said before the 2023 season that he thinks Pounds is a prototypical NFL left tackle. 

“When you look at him, he's a prototypical NFL left tackle,” said Gaynor. “Massive dude. Great dude, great character. Diego's taking the next step in his career.”

Pounds, who is from Raleigh, NC, signed with UNC as a three-star recruit during the 2021 recruiting cycle. 

John Campbell is expected to hold down the left tackle position for the Vols in 2024, which means Pounds would likely move to right tackle if he transferred to Tennessee. That's a move that worked out quite well for former Vols offensive lineman Darnell Wright, who is now the starting right tackle for the Chicago Bears.