Former LSU forward Lance Heard’s name appeared in the University of Tennessee student directory Friday afternoon.Heard’s active roster status may not equate to status on the football team, but it’s a step in the right direction for Tennessee. Heard has been Tennessee’s top target since entering the transfer window on Jan. 2, while the Vols were considered the frontrunners to land the rising sophomore offensive lineman. Tennessee received by Matt Zenitz of 247 Sports who said “former LSU five-star offensive tackle Takla Lance Heard is transferring to Tennessee.”Heard is Zalance Earnell Heard in the UTK student directory, his birth name. Spring classes at the University of Tennessee officially begin on campus this Monday, January 22nd.Tennessee forward John Campbell Jr. announced his return for the 2024 season in December and recently posted a video of himself working on a real jacket. a week Although Heard played better ball during his freshman season at LSU, Campbell’s work at right tackle could lead to Heard filling the vacant left tackle spot on Tennessee’s line.The 6-foot-6, 340-pound offensive tackle was named to the Freshman All-SEC team last December after a promising first year in the Tigers’ program. Heard did not play in LSU’s New Year’s bowl game and entered the portal on January 2nd.247 Sports Transfer Portal ranks Heard as a four-star prospect and the 18th player/No. 3 offensive tackles in their system. If Heard ends up on the Tennessee football team, he will become the Portal’s highest-rated transfer so far this offseason.”Moving from defensive end to right tackle as a junior, Heard shows the size, athleticism and playmaking temperament to develop into an elite college prospect at the next level,” 247 Sports recruiting analyst Cooper Petagna wrote of Lance Heard. as a high school prospect in 2022. “With a wingspan and nearly 37-inch arms, Neville’s unique combination of length and natural athleticism make him one of the most intriguing players in this year’s cycle.”Adding Heard to the Tennessee football team for the 2024 season would be huge. Tennessee has a lot going for it in second-year quarterback Nico Iamaleava next season and hopes Cooper Mays, John Campbell will return at least three veteran offensive tackles. Jr. and Dayne Davis for a young quarterback. The Vols are still awaiting a decision on the future of OL Javontez Spraggins.Heard also has a family connection to Tennessee. The cousin of Heard, Jeremias Heard, is new to the program of the Vols. Jeremias Heard is a talented and raw athlete whose status will only increase as he goes through spring and fall practices with the team.Lance Heard’s active roster spot at the University of Tennessee doesn’t guarantee he’ll make the Vols program, but it does indicate the Vols are ready for the highly touted transfer..