Tennessee's tranquility via the NCAA transfer portal ended Sunday afternoon when Georgia Tech defensive back Wesley Walker announced he would be continuing his football career with the Volunteers.
The 6-foot-1, 204-pound Walker played at Nashville's Ensworth High School before signing with the Yellow Jackets in 2019. He competed in three contests that year before obtaining a redshirt season, and he has played in 20 games the past two seasons, including 13 starts.
"Home Team," Walker posted Sunday on Twitter, adding the hashtag "GBO."
Walker was a three-star prospect in the 2019 class, ranking as the nation's No. 58 cornerback and the No. 588 overall prospect in the 247Sports.com composite rankings. His first career start took place in 2020 during a 49-21 home loss to a University of Central Florida team coached by Josh Heupel, who was in his third and final season with the Knights before taking over at Tennessee.
In his 23 career Georgia Tech appearances, Walker amassed 96 tackles, two tackles for loss and two forced fumbles. He becomes just the second scholarship addition for Tennessee through the portal this offseason, joining Florida tackle Gerald Mincey.
The Vols also made news on the recruiting front Sunday, receiving a commitment from receiver Nate Spillman of Nashville's Lipscomb Academy. The 6-foot-1, 180-pounder is the nation's No. 115 receiver and No. 786 overall prospect in the 2023 signing cycle.
Staff photo by Robin Rudd / Nate Spillman keeps his eyes on the football as he hangs on to a touchdown pass for Lipscomb Academy during the TSSAA Division II-AA BlueCross Bowl state title game on Dec. 3 at Finley Stadium. Spillman has committed to Tennessee.Turnaround weekend
Tennessee's baseball team didn't get off to the best start at the Shriners Children's College Classic in Houston, losing 7-2 Friday night to top-ranked Texas and falling behind Baylor 4-0 on Saturday in the first inning.
The No. 6 Vols regrouped to thump the Bears 10-5 and followed that up Sunday with an 8-0 blanking of Oklahoma to complete a 2-1 weekend against Big 12 opposition.
"This was close to simulating an SEC weekend, and I think we learned some good things and some bad things," Tennessee coach Tony Vitello said. "Fortunately, we've got some depth both positionally and on the mound."
Freshmen continue to shine for the Vols (10-1), with Drew Beam striking out six batters in five innings Sunday and Christian Moore going 3-for-4 with an inside-the-park home run. Tennessee will host James Madison on Tuesday and Wednesday before welcoming Rhode Island for a weekend series.
Contact David Paschall at dpaschall@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6524. Follow him on Twitter @DavidSPaschall.