LEAD STORY: Volunteers Bolster Secondary with Miami Transfer Jadais Richard
The Tennessee Volunteers have secured a significant late addition to their secondary, landing a commitment from veteran cornerback Jadais Richard. The senior defensive back, who spent the last three seasons with the Miami Hurricanes, announced his decision Sunday following a visit to Knoxville. With one year of eligibility remaining, Richard brings a much-needed infusion of experience and size to the Volunteers' defense.
Richard, a 6-foot-1, 195-pound Louisiana native, is no stranger to the SEC, having begun his career at Vanderbilt before transferring to Miami. His most productive season came in 2024 with the Hurricanes, where he started six games and recorded 27 tackles and an interception before his season was cut short by injury. Over his collegiate career, he has amassed 52 total tackles, five passes defended, and one interception. Richard chose the Volunteers over SEC foe Auburn, canceling a planned visit to the Tigers after his trip to Tennessee.
The commitment marks another aggressive move in the transfer portal for Tennessee, which has now brought in 20 transfers this cycle. Richard provides immediate depth and competition in a cornerback room that includes Kayin Lee and Ty Redmond, solidifying a key position group as the team heads toward spring practices.
QUICK HITS
- Mizzou Wrestling Bounces Back with Shutout: The No. 18 Mizzou wrestling team responded to a recent loss in resounding fashion, dominating Big 12 opponent Northern Colorado with a 42-0 shutout victory at the Hearnes Center. The win marked a significant milestone, as it was the 350th career victory for the program's head coach. The Tigers won all ten bouts, recording bonus points in seven of them, a decisive turnaround from their previous match.
- Auburn Women's Hoops Falls Late to No. 16 Oklahoma: The Auburn Tigers women's basketball team gave No. 16 Oklahoma a tough fight but ultimately fell 72-65. Auburn battled the ranked Sooners closely and tied the game at 59-59 with just under five minutes to play, but Oklahoma closed the game on a 13-6 run to secure the win. A'riel Jackson led the Tigers in scoring with a career-high 19 points off the bench.
- Mississippi State Women's Basketball Drops Road Contest: In a back-and-forth SEC matchup, the Mississippi State Bulldogs were defeated by No. 23 Alabama, 85-78, in Tuscaloosa. The game featured 18 lead changes, but the Crimson Tide pulled away in the final four minutes. Favour Nwaedozi paced the Bulldogs with 19 points and seven rebounds.
PORTAL WATCH: Tennessee Adds Return Specialist
Tennessee's busy day in the transfer portal wasn't limited to the secondary. The Volunteers also addressed a major need on special teams, securing a commitment from Idaho State wide receiver and return specialist Ian Duarte. Duarte is expected to compete immediately for kick and punt return duties, an area where the Volunteers struggled to find consistent production in 2025.
Over the past two seasons with the Bengals, Duarte has been a reliable offensive weapon, topping 500 receiving yards in both campaigns. In 2025, he showcased his versatility by catching 46 passes for 521 yards and three touchdowns. He also handled 11 punt returns for 113 yards and 12 kickoffs for 242 yards. The commitment gives Tennessee a dynamic option for its return game and adds further depth to the slot receiver position.
RECRUITING BUZZ
It was a quiet day on the recruiting front across the SEC. No new high school or junior college commitments were reported for any of the conference's 16 football programs over the last 12 hours.
SUNDAY'S SEC SCOREBOARD
- Women's Basketball: No. 23 Alabama 85, Mississippi State 78
- Women's Basketball: No. 16 Oklahoma 72, Auburn 65
- Wrestling: No. 18 Missouri 42, Northern Colorado 0