Tennessee Titans' Line Shake-Up: Larry Johnson Bolts for Transfer Portal in Surprise Spring Move

Certainly! Here’s an introduction to the article:

Hey there, Tennessee football fans and transfer portal enthusiasts! Today, we’re diving into a whisper turned shout within the hallowed halls of Neyland Stadium. Larry Johnson III, a titan on the Vols’ offensive line, has decided to lace up his cleats and hit the transfer portal. Yeah, it’s always a tough call when a young athlete like Johnson, who stood as a mighty 6-foot-7 and weighed in at 350 pounds, starts looking elsewhere, right?

You hear these stories during the spring transfer window, which seems to whip past faster than a shotgun snap. Johnson had been with Tennessee for a couple of seasons, coming in from Hutchinson Community College with hopes high as Rocky Top.

But here’s where it gets heartstring-tugging. Johnson didn’t just quietly pack his bags. Oh no, he took to the ‘gram to share a heartfelt message, giving props to Coach Heupel, Coach Elarbee, and the whole Vols staff for their faith in him, the challenges they presented, and how they sculpted him both as a player and as a person.

Anyway, let’s not dwell on the sentimentality too much. Johnson’s departure might just be the key for the highly-touted five-star freshman David Sanders to step into the starting lineup at right tackle, clearing a path more smoothly than a Tennessee horse-drawn carriage.

But enough from me on this matter; LEARN MORE.

Johnson leaves the Vols after two seasons. He transferred to Tennessee in December 2022 from Hutchinson Community College, and he redshirted the 2023 season. The 6-foot-7, 350-pound Johnson appeared in 15 games, and he spent spring practices working with the first team.The spring transfer portal window started on April 16 and will be open until April 25. Johnson is the fifth scholarship player to leave the Vols, joining quarterback Nico Iamaleava, offensive lineman Ayden Bussell, defensive back Christian Charles and safety John Slaughter.Johnson transferring helps clear the way for five-star freshman David Sanders to start at right tackle. Johnson was competing with Sanders, who was the No. 1 tackle in the 2025 class.

Tennessee football offensive lineman Larry Johnson III has entered the transfer portal.“I have been truly blessed to be welcome into the Vols family and to cross paths with incredible people who have helped shape me both on and off the field,” Johnson wrote on Instagram on April 20. “To Coach (Josh) Heupel, Coach (Glen) Elarbee, and the entire Tennessee staff – thank you for believing in my, challenging me and helping me grow as both a player and a man. The opportunity to wear the orange and white and represent this program is something I’ll forever be grateful for. Your guidance and trust meant the world to me, and I’ll carry those lessons for life.”