2025 Transfer portal - players leaving the Vols

#27
#27
Some of these guys are killing me. I can't wrap my mind around leaving when you see significant field time on a top 10 team that is only getting better. How much better can the money be at another team? The probability of taking a step back is horrendous.
 
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#28
#28
xpsyclonex2002 said:
Some of these guys are killing me. I can't wrap my mind around leaving when you see significant field time on a top 10 team that is only getting better. How much better can the money be at another team? The probability of taking a step back is horrendous.
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We really don’t use a lot of receivers. Squirrel, Bru, Thornton and Brazzell were pretty much it unless it was mop up duty or an injury. Webb and Nimrod just never unseated any of those guys. With Mike Matthews here now, it just got more difficult. That guy is going to be a star. The TE room is starting to get full, too. I suspect one or two more will enter the portal between now and the end of spring practice.
 
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#32
#32
AP just said in no uncertain terms on the radio show with Ramon and co. that the players who have entered the portal CAN play in the playoffs AND the Coaches want them to, especially the ones who regularly play. Like our LB and WRs...he said Coach Hype wants them to play.

So let's get past the narrative that these guys just have to jump in the portal right now and skip the playoffs...putting the rest of the team (especially the seniors) in a difficult position trying to replace them on the field for the entire playoff run. Its selfish to jump ship right now when they are needed most, i bet if you ask the seniors on the team who are in their 1st playoffs, in their last chance to win a title at UT...they don't appreciate these guys not playing out the entire season to give the team the best chance possible to win and advance. This team started a journey with a defined set of goals back in August. To quit on your teammates after making the playoffs, 4 wins away from the title, is a choice. Whether one is in the portal or not, its their choice whether to go play these games or not.

I wish all these guys success in football and in life...but if they choose not to play for our team in the playoffs then I have zero respect for that decision. The new team they aspire to play for next season would never hold it against a player for staying with their current team thru the playoffs and honoring the commitment they made at the beginning of the season.
 
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#34
#34
Unfortunately, there is a narrative that when a player decides to transfer it's all because they want more NIL money. The NIL & transfer portal have changed the rights for NCAA players.

Most D-1 players where the stars of the playing field through high school. When they arrive at a D-1 school they may longer be the best super star on the field, therefore they do not get playing time. Especially if they are on a team with a talented roster. Some come to the realization that they might have to switch to a school with lesser competition. Or even drop down a level to get playing time.

If that change brings them more playing time and pays them more then they are extremely fortunate. In most cases we don't know what they were making prior to the switch, nor do we truly know what they will make at their new home.

If a player believes in their heart that they can make it to the next level if they can get exposer playing at a different school, I can't fault them for living the dream. I don't like losing players, but I can't fault a player for banking on themselves because in the end it will become a business.

Good luck to all the transfers. Thank you for giving your all to Tennessee. Hate the game not the player.
 
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#36
#36
marcusluvsvols said:
AP just said in no uncertain terms on the radio show with Ramon and co. that the players who have entered the portal CAN play in the playoffs AND the Coaches want them to, especially the ones who regularly play. Like our LB and WRs...he said Coach Hype wants them to play.

So let's get past the narrative that these guys just have to jump in the portal right now and skip the playoffs...putting the rest of the team (especially the seniors) in a difficult position trying to replace them on the field for the entire playoff run. Its selfish to jump ship right now when they are needed most, i bet if you ask the seniors on the team who are in their 1st playoffs, in their last chance to win a title at UT...they don't appreciate these guys not playing out the entire season to give the team the best chance possible to win and advance. This team started a journey with a defined set of goals back in August. To quit on your teammates after making the playoffs, 4 wins away from the title, is a choice. Whether one is in the portal or not, its their choice whether to go play these games or not.

I wish all these guys success in football and in life...but if they choose not to play for our team in the playoffs then I have zero respect for that decision. The new team they aspire to play for next season would never hold it against a player for staying with their current team thru the playoffs and honoring the commitment they made at the beginning of the season.
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I agree with you, but there are two potential sticking points:

1. The potential of injury. You can pooh-pooh this, but if a kid is looking to get to a situation that improves his chances of getting to the next level, an injury kills that off in a hurry.

2. The idea of a unified team with a singular goal accepting a player whose mind is on other things but the goal at hand. This can be managed, but it's a tightrope walk by the coaches to justify playing a transferring player over kids that are staying in the program.
 
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#37
#37
sami said:
I agree with you, but there are two potential sticking points:

1. The potential of injury. You can pooh-pooh this, but if a kid is looking to get to a situation that improves his chances of getting to the next level, an injury kills that off in a hurry.

2. The idea of a unified team with a singular goal accepting a player whose mind is on other things but the goal at hand. This can be managed, but it's a tightrope walk by the coaches to justify playing a transferring player over kids that are staying in the program.
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I'm not certain I understand Point #1. Injuries can happen to anyone no matter the location.

As for Point #2, players that are competing for championships will welcome players that can contribute and help them achieve a goal. They understand that bench warmers are not contributing and want to get the field even if it means changing schools.

But there are numerous other reasons for changing. Coaching changes, not fitting the culture, don't like the coaching that they are getting, home sick, curriculum is too hard at their current school, or they realize they aren't making to the next level and their current school doesn't offer a program for their degree they want, etc., etc., etc. It isn't always money driven and I don't think its a fair assessment to always assume money is the only reason for change. People change jobs every day to better themselves. Bettering oneself has many different meanings.
 
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#39
#39
marcusluvsvols said:
Be surprised if Leacock doesnt join him. We have added:

Matthews
Staley
Smith
Jackson
Dodson

And ALL those guys are ballers. Matthews likely starts outside next year, and Staley will split time in the slot. Hope Leacock stays, he was a top 200 player out of HS with great tape...and fits the mold that CJH/Pope like for outside WRs at ~6ft4in.

We will almost certainly add a proven portal WR also, maybe 2. Just like Tillman, Bru, Thornton, Brazzell etc etc.

It sucks that Matthews and Smith are jumping ship before the playoffs. Selfish IMO...they both play, now. Matthews is CB4, Smith is LB4 and half of our 3rd down package LB group. Both these guys play meaningful minutes and will have to be replaced for the playoffs. They could have waited, the portal opens again long before next season. Oh well.

GBO. BELIEVE 2024.
Lets go get Ryan Day fired.
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Not sure if they could have waited or not. Classes start in min-January, don't they? Perhaps they need are actually trying to get a degree and need the credits. Or maybe it's required to transfer now to go through spring practice with the new team?
 
#45
#45
At this point it’s easier to count receivers we have left than it is to count the number in the portal. Just the way these guys were getting such limited playing time, it’s not a surprise.
Pencil in Brazzel, Squirrel and Matthews as starters next fall. Wonder if this means Heup has identified one or two in the portal??
 
#49
#49
marcusluvsvols said:
AP just said in no uncertain terms on the radio show with Ramon and co. that the players who have entered the portal CAN play in the playoffs AND the Coaches want them to, especially the ones who regularly play. Like our LB and WRs...he said Coach Hype wants them to play.

So let's get past the narrative that these guys just have to jump in the portal right now and skip the playoffs...putting the rest of the team (especially the seniors) in a difficult position trying to replace them on the field for the entire playoff run. Its selfish to jump ship right now when they are needed most, i bet if you ask the seniors on the team who are in their 1st playoffs, in their last chance to win a title at UT...they don't appreciate these guys not playing out the entire season to give the team the best chance possible to win and advance. This team started a journey with a defined set of goals back in August. To quit on your teammates after making the playoffs, 4 wins away from the title, is a choice. Whether one is in the portal or not, its their choice whether to go play these games or not.

I wish all these guys success in football and in life...but if they choose not to play for our team in the playoffs then I have zero respect for that decision. The new team they aspire to play for next season would never hold it against a player for staying with their current team thru the playoffs and honoring the commitment they made at the beginning of the season.
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12.7 Athletics Eligibility Requirements.
12.7.1 Postseason and Regular-Season Competition. To be eligible for regular-season competition, NCAA championships, and for postseason football bowl games, the student-athlete shall meet all eligibility requirements.
12.7.1.1 Postseason Competition -- Midyear Enrollees -- Football. [FBS/FCS] In football, a midyear enrollee (freshman or transfer) is not eligible to participate in postseason competition that occurs before or during the studentathlete's initial term of full-time enrollment at the institution. (Adopted: 6/13/18)
 
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