Vols HC Josh Heupel sends message to Tennessee players who are considering entering the NCAA transfer portal
A couple of Tennessee Vols players are reportedly set to enter the NCAA transfer portal this week, despite the fact that UT will be playing in the College Football Playoff later this month. Players who are on teams that are in the College Football Playoff will have five days to enter the portal after their […]
A couple of Tennessee Vols players are reportedly set to enter the NCAA transfer portal this week, despite the fact that UT will be playing in the College Football Playoff later this month.
Players who are on teams that are in the College Football Playoff will have five days to enter the portal after their team's season ends. So if the Vols, for example, beat Ohio State on December 21, but then lose in the quarterfinals on December 31, a Tennessee player would have until January 5 to enter the portal.
But with the transfer portal opening this week, some players on playoff teams looking for new opportunities before spring practice will enter the portal now to maximize their options
Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel understands that players have to do what's best for their specific situation.
But at the same time, Heupel also doesn't see how players could willingly miss out on being part of the playoff.
“Individuals are going to make a decision that they feel is right for them, their family, whatever it might be," said Heupel on Sunday while speaking with reporters after the playoff brackets were revealed. "I just know this as a competitor, [been] doing this a long time as a coach, but also in my playing experience – man, I can’t imagine not wanting and participating in what I think is one of the most unique opportunities in your playing career, but also in your life. You’ve poured a lot of work into it and this is a unique opportunity.”
It's understandable that players that plan to move on from Tennessee, for whatever reason, want to get a head start on that process. But like Heupel said, this is a unique opportunity for players to experience. Most Power-4 schools in the country have goals of reaching the playoff, but this season showed that the sport is as competitive as ever and reaching the postseason isn't a given (just ask Miami, Alabama, and Ole Miss). You never know if you'll have this opportunity again if you're a young college football player.
As Heupel said, players have to make the decision that they feel is best for their situation. But entering the portal and missing out on the playoff seems like a choice that should be extremely difficult for every player on Tennessee's roster.
No one will admit it, but it feels obvious why the Tennessee Vols didn’t get a home playoff game
Rough outcome for the Vols
