Photo via Idaho State Athletics

Tennessee football has added the commitment of an FCS wide receiver after a recent visit. On Sunday, Idaho State transfer Ian Duarte announced his commitment to the Vols, he tells RTI.

Duarte was in Knoxville for a visit on Wednesday as he sorted through the list of schools courting him. Ultimately, he saw what he needed to and pulled the trigger on a commitment.

Duarte played in 12 games this past season with the Bengals, posting 46 receptions for 521 yards and three touchdowns. As the starting slot receiver, he played 555 snaps and recorded a PFF grade of 61.7 on the year.

In 2024, Duarte played in 12 games and started in four. He produced 47 total receptions, 504 receiving yards and three touchdowns that year. As a true freshman in 2023, he played in just one game and earned a redshirt.

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Duarte, from Santa Clarita, California, stands at 5-foot-10. While his path to playing on offense will be tough at UT, given the return of SEC Freshman of the Year Braylon Staley in the slot, he could make an impact on special teams as a return man. He returned 12 kicks for 242 yards and 11 punts for 113 yards a year ago at ISU.

In his effort to get on offense, he’d be in a battle for the second-string role behind Staley. Other pieces include Joakim Dodson, who enters his second year, and true freshman Tyreek King, who won’t be on campus until fall camp. Tennessee also landed Colorado two-way player Isaiah Hardge, who is capable of playing in the slot. However, it appears Hardge will likely play more cornerback at UT.

Adding experienced depth in the slot would certainly be something Tennessee is interested in, though, from a numbers standpoint. The Vols got lucky at receiver injury-wise last season, but you always need to build up depth anyway possible. With multiple years of eligibility, he could be in line to play in 2027, as well, if Staley opted for the draft.