Belmont transfer sharpshooter Tyler Lundblade committed to Tennessee basketball on Wednesday afternoon. Landing the grad transfer Lundblade was the first order of business for Tennessee this offseason with the Vols hosting Lundblade on a two-day visit shortly after the team returned from Chicago.
Lundblade is coming off a standout season at Belmont, averaging 15.6 points, 2.7 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game on his way to earning MVC Player of the Year honors. One of the top shooters in the country, Lundblade made 112 three-pointers at a 40.9% clip last season. Lundblade made the seventh most triples nationally last season.
During the 2024-25 season, Lundblade averaged 12.4 points per game but still made 100 three pointers at a 47.2% clip.
The 6-foot-5 sharpshooter is not a strong finisher at the basket and takes the vast majority of his shots from beyond the three-point line. He can do just enough off the bounce to keep opponents on their toes, making 17-of-33 mid range attempts, 12-of-16 rim attempts and 6-of-17 non-rim paint attempts last season.
247sports ranks Lundblade as a four-star and as the No. 16 overall player in the transfer portal at this time. On3 ranks Lundblade as a four-star and the No. 39 player in the transfer portal. EvanMiya ranks Lundblade as a three-star and the No. 93 overall player in the portal.
More From RTI: Impact Analysis — What Tyler Lundblade Brings Tennessee Basketball
Lundblade has one of the best stories of any player in college basketball. He walked on at SMU and earned a scholarship before the Mustangs fired Tim Jankovich. Lundblade then walked on at TCU before earning a scholarship, however, the Horned Frogs recruited over him and took the scholarship away.
The Dallas native then transferred to Belmont as a walk-on before earning a scholarship. He broke onto the scene during the 2024-25 season, stayed at Belmont for the 2025-26 season and then decided to transfer after earning MVC Player of the Year honors.
Lundblade will be a sixth-year senior at Tennessee. He redshirted one season at SMU and then medically redshirted the 2023-24 season at TCU.
Athleticism and defense is a weakness for Lundblade and in ways that signals a flexibility of philosophy for head coach Rick Barnes. Following Tennessee’s season ending loss against Michigan, Barnes said that the Vols need more shooting. He’s quickly added one of the best shooters in the country and the move comes at the expense of defense.
Lundblade is Tennessee’s first commitment and the transfer portal and will not be the last. The transfer portal will hit hyperdrive for Tennessee and the rest of the country when it officially opens next Tuesday, April 7.
No Tennessee players have announced intentions to enter the transfer portal at this point in time though the Vols will likely lose at least a couple players.
