Another Tennessee Vols player enters NCAA transfer portal

For the second time in less than a week, a Tennessee Vols football player has entered the NCAA transfer portal. Tight end Julian Nixon entered the transfer portal on Wednesday, according to a report from On3's Matt Zenitz. UT offensive lineman James Robinson entered the portal late last week. Nixon is a former four-star recruit […]

Zach Ragan Tennessee Volunteers News Writer
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For the second time in less than a week, a Tennessee Vols football player has entered the NCAA transfer portal.

Tight end Julian Nixon entered the transfer portal on Wednesday, according to a report from On3's Matt Zenitz.

UT offensive lineman James Robinson entered the portal late last week.

Nixon is a former four-star recruit who signed with the Vols during the 2021 recruiting cycle (he signed with Tennessee before Jeremy Pruitt was fired as the program's head coach).

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Tennessee tight end Julian Nixon (85) during fall practice at Haslam Field in Knoxville, Tenn. on Friday, Aug. 6, 2021.Kns Tennessee Fall Practice

Nixon signed with the Vols as a wide receiver but moved to tight end last year. He didn't see any action as he adjusted to the new position.

The Georgia native was expected to provide Tennessee with some depth at tight end in 2022.

I don't think this is anything for Vol fans to worry about. Nixon is likely looking for a quicker path to playing time. Instead of staying buried on Tennessee's depth chart, he's going to look for a situation where he can contribute immediately.

Losing a few players to the transfer portal is the norm in college football. It's not a red flag for Vols head coach Josh Heupel unless we start seeing a mass exodus of key players.

Featured image via Brianna Paciorka/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK