Tennessee football lands 5-star tackle Lance Heard from LSU in transfer portal

LSU offensive tackle Lance Heard, a former five-star prospect, will transfer to Tennessee football, he announced Sunday on social media.

Heard visited UT and Oklahoma after entering the transfer portal in Jan. 2. He was one of the most coveted offensive linemen available.

It’s a big victory for Vols.

UT starting right tackle Gerald Mincey announced on Jan. 12 that he was transferring to Kentucky. Heard, who has three years of eligibility remaining, can fill his spot in 2024 and beyond.

Heard is a 6-foot-6, 340-pounder from Monroe, Louisiana. He was a five-star prospect in the 2023 class, and 247Sports Composite ranked him as the No. 3 offensive tackle and No. 15 player overall.

Heard played one season at LSU. He got 283 snaps in 12 games, including a start against Army. He was ranked the No. 3 offensive tackle in the portal and No. 17 transfer overall.

How Lance Heard impacts offensive line, Nico Iamaleava

Heard’s addition will help solidify UT’s offensive line as quarterback Nico Iamaleava, the Citrus Bowl MVP, takes over as the starter next season.

Three starting offensive linemen are projected to return. Center Cooper Mays and tackle John Campbell announced they’re coming back. Right guard Javontez Spraggins has not announced his decision, but he is expected to return after rehabbing from a season-ending injury.

Offensive lineman Jackson Lampley, who could serve as a valuable backup at right guard or compete for the starting left guard spot, announced Friday he’s returning for a sixth season. Veteran Dayne Davis, who started the final three games at right tackle, announced on Thursday that he’s also returning.

Adam Sparks is the Tennessee football beat reporter. Email adam.sparks@knoxnews.com. X, formerly known as Twitter@AdamSparks. Support strong local journalism by subscribing at knoxnews.com/subscribe.

Get the latest news and insight on SEC football by subscribing to the SEC Unfiltered newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox.