On3’s Pete Nakos on Thursday reported the Vols are one of a handful of teams set to spend $10 million or more in NIL for its roster next season,” VolQuest’s Grant Ramey wrote.The Vols have been on fire on the recruiting trail, and one major target still on the board is Juke Harris, the Wake Forest transfer. However, it appears that if Nate Ament returns to Rocky Top, Harris could look elsewhere.“So I think you’re looking at only [getting] one (of Harris or Ament). If you can get one of those guys, Tennessee’s ceiling is what every team wants its ceiling to be — which is to go all the way.

I think Tennessee’s added a ton of talent. I feel like they put themselves in position to be back there battling for another Elite Eight or a potential Final Four appearance with the roster they’ve constructed. But if you can add one of those two, then it definitely, to me, takes it over the top,” VolQuest’s Austin Price said.Bringing Ament back would be a major boost—and arguably the more important move for Tennessee.

Momentum is building around a potential return, especially with his rising NBA Draft outlook.“League front office executives tell me that his agency, LIFT Sports Management, is split on the decision because they believe that Ament could be the No. 1 pick in 2027,” Yahoo Sports’ Kevin O’Connor wrote.Late in the season, Ament showed the development Tennessee had been hoping for. However, that late surge may have impacted his draft positioning, potentially pushing him out of the lottery.Ament also dealt with some injury issues due to unfortunate circumstances. If he returns for a second season at Tennessee, it could significantly impact the Vols’ roster outlook—and likely push Harris toward programs like Michigan.