2026 Transfer portal

[EricSD]

I think it will be more than 4. Why would anyone stay??

It's a fair question. Add to it - why do elite recruits STILL choose Tennessee?

• 2022 - #11 Pissot (she subsequently transferred)
• 2023 - no one
• 2024 - #37 Boyd
• 2025 - #9 Pauldo, #17 Prawl, #20 Civil, #45 Hurst, #57 other Pauldo (Caldwell's first recruiting class and she loaded up)
• 2025 - #2 Edwards, #62 Minus

My point is, Caldwell is a former DII coach with no track record in an elite women's program, yet she cleaned up recruiting the first 2 seasons. She also got some elite portal transfers to round out the roster.

We'd have to ask the recruits why, but at the top of the list of why is probably the storied past. 2nd best program in history. Good/great facilities. Rabid fan base. And maybe the hope of returning Tennessee to glory.

To answer your question, we have no idea what she's saying in the conversations with players now. I'm sure she is in full "salesperson" mode. Stay, tweak some things about our substitution gimmick, I promise to actually teach some offense, etc. LOL. No idea. I wouldn't want any part of that train wreck, but some players apparently do...

 

[JeannoCT]

It's a fair question. Add to it - why do elite recruits STILL choose Tennessee?

• 2022 - #11 Pissot (she subsequently transferred)
• 2023 - no one
• 2024 - #37 Boyd
• 2025 - #9 Pauldo, #17 Prawl, #20 Civil, #45 Hurst, #57 other Prawl (Caldwell's first recruiting class and she loaded up)
• 2025 - #2 Edwards, #62 Minus

My point is, Caldwell is a former DII coach with no track record in an elite women's program, yet she cleaned up recruiting the first 2 seasons. She also got some elite portal transfers to round out the roster.

We'd have to ask the recruits why, but at the top of the list of why is probably the storied past. 2nd best program in history. Good/great facilities. Rabid fan base. And maybe the hope of returning Tennessee to glory.

To answer your question, we have no idea what she's saying in the conversations with players now. I'm sure she is in full "salesperson" mode. Stay, tweak some things about our substitution gimmick, I promise to actually teach some offense, etc. LOL. No idea. I wouldn't want any part of that train wreck, but some players apparently do...

I agree. I mean if your daughter was a top recruit and you watched this year unfold what would you say your kid?? Stay with your commitment??

 

[cancontent]

It's a fair question. Add to it - why do elite recruits STILL choose Tennessee?

• 2022 - #11 Pissot (she subsequently transferred)
• 2023 - no one
• 2024 - #37 Boyd
• 2025 - #9 Pauldo, #17 Prawl, #20 Civil, #45 Hurst, #57 other Prawl (Caldwell's first recruiting class and she loaded up)
• 2025 - #2 Edwards, #62 Minus

My point is, Caldwell is a former DII coach with no track record in an elite women's program, yet she cleaned up recruiting the first 2 seasons. She also got some elite portal transfers to round out the roster.

We'd have to ask the recruits why, but at the top of the list of why is probably the storied past. 2nd best program in history. Good/great facilities. Rabid fan base. And maybe the hope of returning Tennessee to glory.

To answer your question, we have no idea what she's saying in the conversations with players now. I'm sure she is in full "salesperson" mode. Stay, tweak some things about our substitution gimmick, I promise to actually teach some offense, etc. LOL. No idea. I wouldn't want any part of that train wreck, but some players apparently do...

Believe you're referring to the other Pauldo sister here.

 

[cancontent]

This feels like an unexpected curve ball to me.

 

[TheFarmFan]

This feels like an unexpected curve ball to me.

I mean, statistically wasn't something like 1/3rd of all D1 players in the portal last season? I guess these days I assume almost everyone outside of some top players on top teams are question marks until I hear something definitive...

 

[cancontent]

I mean, statistically wasn't something like 1/3rd of all D1 players in the portal last season? I guess these days I assume almost everyone outside of some top players on top teams are question marks until I hear something definitive...

Statistically yes, but Petrie has done well in this system and Nebraska hasn't been a team that has been affected by transfers, outside of their 2022 season, as much as others from what I recall. She's also been a key part of the roster and has improved every season.

 

[GoCardinal]

Statistically yes, but Petrie has done well in this system and Nebraska hasn't been a team that has been affected by transfers, outside of their 2022 season, as much as others from what I recall. She's also been a key part of the roster and has improved every season.

Pretty sure her minutes next season will take a significant hit with Potts back and a highly rated freshman coming in. Guess she doesn’t want her senior year to be primarily spot minutes.

 

[Geew1992]

Per the Tennessee board, Maria Cornelius says 4 will leave. Prawl and Latham so far. Probably Boyd. Maybe Cooper or Civil? They are losing 4 seniors? Plus 4 from the portal? Of the 2 freshmen coming in (hopefully Edwards changes her mind), that will leave a roster of 6 next season. Caldwell will not only need to hit the portal, but get a fistful of elite players to even have a chance to play her hockey style sub strategy.

I think it’s 4 freshman and a couple of other players

 

[Geew1992]

It's a fair question. Add to it - why do elite recruits STILL choose Tennessee?

• 2022 - #11 Pissot (she subsequently transferred)
• 2023 - no one
• 2024 - #37 Boyd
• 2025 - #9 Pauldo, #17 Prawl, #20 Civil, #45 Hurst, #57 other Prawl (Caldwell's first recruiting class and she loaded up)
• 2025 - #2 Edwards, #62 Minus

My point is, Caldwell is a former DII coach with no track record in an elite women's program, yet she cleaned up recruiting the first 2 seasons. She also got some elite portal transfers to round out the roster.

We'd have to ask the recruits why, but at the top of the list of why is probably the storied past. 2nd best program in history. Good/great facilities. Rabid fan base. And maybe the hope of returning Tennessee to glory.

To answer your question, we have no idea what she's saying in the conversations with players now. I'm sure she is in full "salesperson" mode. Stay, tweak some things about our substitution gimmick, I promise to actually teach some offense, etc. LOL. No idea. I wouldn't want any part of that train wreck, but some players apparently do...

I know she has to close the deal but my understanding is it’s the assistant coach, Gabe, that’s getting the players there.

 

[nwhoopfan]

but at the top of the list of why is probably the storied past. 2nd best program in history.

We're about at the point where these players weren't even born yet the last time Tennessee went to the Final 4/won a Championship. How can that still hold some cache for up and coming high school players?

 

[EricSD]

We're about at the point where these players weren't even born yet the last time Tennessee went to the Final 4/won a Championship. How can that still hold some cache for up and coming high school players?

You'd have to ask them, but their storied history is undisputed. How do you explain top recruits still going there in spite of the train wreck, and recently, a brand new coach with zero elite WCBB experience?

 

[TheFarmFan]

We're about at the point where these players weren't even born yet the last time Tennessee went to the Final 4/won a Championship. How can that still hold some cache for up and coming high school players?

I mean, it's a school with a great athletics culture, in a really fun and cute town, with great facilities, great AD support, and a fan base that turns out year after year after year. And Kim cuts a young, energetic, charismatic cloth, especially out of the gate. It's not hard to see why top recruits would be attracted even if they think of Candice Parker as a graying, aged mother figure, lol.

 

[nwhoopfan]

You'd have to ask them, but their storied history is undisputed. How do you explain top recruits still going there in spite of the train wreck, and recently, a brand new coach with zero elite WCBB experience?

Fair points. I guess UCLA men's hoops is still kind of like that. But at some point, everybody has to admit the program ain't what it used to be and never will be again.

 

[cancontent]

I mean, it's a school with a great athletics culture, in a really fun and cute town, with great facilities, great AD support, and a fan base that turns out year after year after year. And Kim cuts a young, energetic, charismatic cloth, especially out of the gate. It's not hard to see why top recruits would be attracted even if they think of Candice Parker as a graying, aged mother figure, lol.

Nah, she's the auntie who will dote on you when you deserve it and give you what for when you step out of line. 😉