Samford transfer outfielder Jake Souders is officially visiting Tennessee baseball Thursday, Volquest’s Eric Cain first reported and Soudes’ agent Preston Chapman to RTI.
Souders is coming off a strong sophomore season where he slashed .349/.423/.520 with seven home runs, nine doubles and 33 RBIs. A versatile player, Souders played in right field most of the 2026 season and earned First Team All-Socon honors.
The Birmingham native was a two-year starter at Samford and also put together a strong freshman season where he spent time playing in the infield. Souders slashed .321/.384/.488 with four home runs, 13 doubles and 33 RBIs.
Speed is also a part of Souders’ game. The 6-foot-3, 215-pound transfer stole 10 bases in his freshman season and 16 bases in his sophomore season.
More From RTI: Five Needs For Tennessee Baseball In The Transfer Portal
Tennessee baseball will be aggressive in the transfer portal this offseason and Souders’ versatility is attractive. The Vols lose starting right fielder Reese Chapman to graduation and could lose centerfielder Garrett Wright to professional baseball.
The Vols do return starting left fielder Blaine Brown and outfielders Jay Abernathy and Nate Eisfelder who could start next season.
Seven Tennessee players have announced plans to enter the transfer portal to date. That group includes Ariel Antigua, Chris Newstrom, Brayden Krenzel, Ethan Moore, Finley Bates, Hunter High and Evan Hankins.
After failing to make it out of the opening weekend of the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2019, Josh Elander and his coaching staff enter a critical offseason. Tennessee will lose a number of players to the portal and will be aggressive adding more talent to its roster.
