Tennessee Vols receive positive update on some offseason drama
Late last month, news broke that Tennessee Vols rising junior cornerback Rickey Gibson is planning to enter the NCAA transfer portal when the spring window opens in April. Gibson is a former four-star recruit who played over 600 snaps at cornerback for the Volunteers in 2024 while playing opposite Oregon State transfer cornerback Jermod McCoy. […]
Late last month, news broke that Tennessee Vols rising junior cornerback Rickey Gibson is planning to enter the NCAA transfer portal when the spring window opens in April.
Gibson is a former four-star recruit who played over 600 snaps at cornerback for the Volunteers in 2024 while playing opposite Oregon State transfer cornerback Jermod McCoy.
In January, McCoy suffered a torn ACL which puts his status for the 2025 season in doubt (there's hope that he'll return in 2025, but it's far too early to forecast a potential return date for the talented cornerback).
The feeling is that Gibson recognized his increased value in light of McCoy's injury and wants a new NIL deal from Tennessee.
For now, Gibson is planning to go through spring practice according to a new report from On3's Pete Nakos.
"As of now, it appears the cornerback is staying with Tennessee through the spring and will not enter the portal," wrote Nakos on Thursday. "He never left the team, going through winter workouts and will be with the Vols when they open spring practice on Friday."
Thanks to the NCAA transfer portal and NIL deals, situations like Gibson's are becoming extremely common across college football. It's certainly not a situation that's unique to Tennessee.
Still, it's situation that has to be managed properly. And based on Nakos' report, it sounds like Tennessee is finding a way to correctly manage this particular situation.
Gibson is an extremely important player for the Vols — especially with McCoy sidelined. The best outcome of this situation is Gibson remaining in a Tennessee jersey this fall.
Spring practice starts for Tennessee on March 7 and will conclude on April 12 with the annual Orange and White game. The NCAA transfer portal spring window will open on April 16.
