Tiny staying?

[B-sideVol18]

I don't know why people think it's such a foregone conclusion that Tiny will leave. Offensive lineman seem to be the one of the most inclined to stay for their senior season of all positions.

Jake Long stayed for his senior season and was rewarded as the top draft pick. Joe Thomas stayed for his senior season after being an all-american his junior year and became the third pick overall in his draft.

Tiny has only started for two seasons, so entering the NFL draft with that third season as a starter in the SEC could be beneficial for him.

Injuries happen, but he is a freak of nature and his body is built to last. It's not like he's an injury-prone running back who needs to take the money now. Either way, glad he's representing our great university.

 

[Volosaurus rex]

Although I agree that it is highly probable that Tiny will declare for the NFL draft after this season, let us not forget one fact that, I believe, has almost totally been ignored in this discussion. Butch has stated that Team 117 has bought into his message more quickly than his first-year teams at Central Michigan and Cincinnati. He also stated that this team has become closer than any team he has ever coached. Butch has gone to great lengths to establish a sense of personal accountability, leadership and teamwork. Players now are far more emotionally invested in this program than they ever were during Dooley's era. The instability and incompetence which characterized the previous regime have been replaced by stability. Players can see tangible progress and Butch is giving them reason to invest in each other and the future. And I don't simply mean the NFL. I believe that we are going to see fewer juniors leave early for the "League" in the future, particularly as they see Tennessee's onfield fortunes trend upward and Butch continues to recruit like a man possessed.

 

[knoxvols11]

He has absolutely nothing to gain if he stays!

 

[LWSVOL]

Tiny tweeted this this morning. I don't think he would be excited about 2014 if he was going pro.

https://twitter.com/antonio_tiny74/status/388279758402113537

his family is in need of money. he is going to NFL IMO

 

[1982Alum]

I can't envision a scenario where he returns. Hope I'm wrong.

How abut major injury (knee)? Doubt he would leave for the NFL with a cast on his leg.

 

[1982Alum]

He has absolutely nothing to gain if he stays!

Wrong. He could use another year to mature his game. NFL DL will not be physically run over as they are in college. Our poor running game is evidence our entire line is not the greatest run blockers. Tiny also needs a year to mature mentally and avoid the on field meltdowns we have seen several times. It would do him good to stay and get his degree.