'He was supposed to come on a visit' - Jay Johnson reveals how LSU once lost a transfer to Tennessee because of College World Series

One of the Tennessee Vols' most important weapons out of the bullpen in 2024 and 2025 is a player that the LSU Tigers wanted two years ago. 

Tennessee landed RHP Nate Snead as a transfer from Wichita State after the 2023 season.

Snead committed to Tennessee after taking a visit to Knoxville shortly after the Vols were eliminated by LSU in the 2023 College World Series. The Wisconsin native was supposed to also visit Baton Rouge, but that visit never happened because LSU was busy playing the Florida Gators in the best-of-three championship series. 

"Kind of a funny story now, but Nate Snead, who was the best reliever in college baseball the last two years, we eliminated Tennessee, he went on a visit to Tennessee when we were playing Florida for the championship," said Tigers head coach Jay Johnson Sunday after LSU beat Coastal Carolina to win the 2025 College World Series. "He was supposed to come on a visit a couple days later, but he never came [because] he committed to Tennessee. That's how it goes. I can't control being in the finals two of the last three years and losing some recruiting days. It's wild how it goes."

Snead ended up being a key part of the Vols' College World Series championship team in 2024. 

Winning the College World Series is certainly a double-edged sword when it comes to recruiting. On one hand, it makes a program more attractive to high school recruits and transfers. On the other hand, it cost a program valuable recruiting time -- specifically when it comes to transfers. 

This is something that Tennessee head coach Tony Vitello actually mentioned earlier this month after the Vols were eliminated by Arkansas in the Fayetteville Super Regional. 

"Yeah, last year sucked," said Vitello on the The Tony Basilio Show when asked about getting a late start on the portal. "It just did. And we struck gold with [Gavin Kilen] and Liam [Doyle] and [Andrew Fischer]. I think that combo deal with those two kids (Doyle and Fischer) was very unique. If that doesn't happen, this conversation is a little more depressing, I think."

Fortunately for Vols fans, Vitello is taking advantage of Tennessee's early exit this year, already making several notable splashes in the transfer portal.