Tennessee defensive back Marcus Goree, Jr. plans to enter the portal

Tennessee defensive back Marcus Goree, Jr. plans to enter the transfer portal when it opens on January 2nd, he confirmed to Volquest. 

The 6-1, 185 pound redshirt freshman appeared in two games in 2024. Goree played 3 defensive snaps against ETSU and 9 against UAB. He played two snaps on special teams for a total of 14 snaps this season.

In 2024, Goree played 8 defensive snaps appearing in the Chattanooga and Kent State games. 

Goree arrived at Tennessee in 2024 from Bradley Central High School where he chose the Vols over Michigan and Colorado. 

Goree is the fourth playing, joining linebacker Brendan Anes, defensive tackle Jamal Wallace and defensive end Kellen Lindstrom declaring their intentions to enter the transfer portal next month. 

Understanding the portal

The transfer portal window is now just one window. The window opens on January 2nd and runs through January 16th.

Players don’t have to pick a school they are going to during those specific dates but those are the span of dates on when a player can enter the portal.

Those dates don’t apply to graduate transfers who can enter the portal whenever they wish. Also, if there’s a head coaching change, their players are granted an immediate 30-day window during which they can enter the portal.

Of note, any team playing in a game after Dec 28 (playoffs or regular bowl) gets a five-day window once season ends for those player to enter portal.

Players who enter the portal in the winter window are trying to be somewhere for the spring semester. 

For Tennessee the spring semester starts on January 21 which is late compared to many schools around the country. Tennessee a year ago started a winter mini-term class that runs the first three weeks of January.