It’s been a busy few weeks in the college football transfer portal and it doesn’t appear like business is slowing down at all. Former Tennessee defensive lineman Tyler Baron entered the portal on Friday, immediately vaulting up the ranking of transfer portal top athletes.
What does he bring to the table and where could Baron land for 2024?
Tyler Baron Enters Transfer Portal
Finding the quarterback a fair amount last season, it could be said that Baron broke out in 2023. However, that wouldn’t quite be the case.
Baron put together the third straight season with consistent pressure on the quarterback and consistent flashing of his potentially brilliant talent.
Over the past three seasons, Baron has recorded at least 2.5 sacks and 6.5 tackles for loss. Baron’s six sacks in 2023 were a new career high, just as his 10.5 TFL were for the Volunteers.
MORE: College Football Transfer Portal Tracker
A massive man, Baron stands 6’5″ and tips the scales at 260 pounds. He plays like a much smaller man with his size, but has no trouble pushing bigger offensive tackles back into the passing lanes all the same.
He’s been the mark of consistency with his ability to get after the passer and even flashed his ability against the run plenty over his four seasons in Knoxville.
Tyler Baron Landing Spots in the Transfer Portal
With his entrance to the transfer portal, Baron could land at a number of schools that are soon to be void of talent on the defensive line. The following programs could absolutely look to land his services.
Florida State Seminoles
It could be said that any top-tier transfer portal athlete could end up in Tallahassee. They’re an easy pick with how much talent they’ve acquired from the portal in the Mike Norvell era, but this one arguably makes the most sense.
Patrick Payton announced his transfer intentions from the exact position Baron would fill. Making matters even more intriguing to nab Baron in Garnet and Gold is the fact that both Jared Verse and Braden Fiske are set to depart Tallahassee for the NFL Draft very soon.
Both Fiske and Verse were portal acquisitions who put themselves more on the radar than ever with their performance for the Seminoles. Could Baron follow suit?
Florida Gators
The Seminoles’ in-state rival could also be in play for Baron. Florida knows just how disruptive Baron can be as they actually put the blueprint on how to limit his production in place this season. The Gators planned against Baron because of his talent, and UF absolutely needs some talent on the defensive line in 2024.
Alabama Crimson Tide
The Alabama Crimson Tide are set to lose their top two edge rushers to the 2024 NFL Draft, and like the Gators, they know just how difficult it is to plan against Baron. Alabama’s need for defensive edge help is arguably one of their top needs this offseason and a player of Baron’s caliber would immediately rectify that glaring need.
Virginia Tech Hokies
With a defensive-minded head coach like Brent Pry, it came as a bit of a shock that the Virginia Tech Hokies were at least a season away from competing in the ACC with their current defensive roster. Baron could make the quick trip northeast to Blacksburg and immediately bolster a defensive line that lacks top-tier talent.
There’s also a personal connection here for Baron as his older brother Woody Baron played for the Hokies from 2013-2016. Blacksburg night games are a thing of legend and at this stage of his career, Baron could resort to historic and familiar ground.