Key Tennessee Vols team leader addresses teammates entering the NCAA transfer portal ahead of playoff
The Tennessee Vols have had a few players announce their intentions to enter the NCAA transfer portal ahead of UT's first round College Football Playoff game against the Ohio State Buckeyes. The NCAA transfer portal officially opened on Monday and it will close on December 28. Players that are on playoff teams will have an […]
The Tennessee Vols have had a few players announce their intentions to enter the NCAA transfer portal ahead of UT's first round College Football Playoff game against the Ohio State Buckeyes.
The NCAA transfer portal officially opened on Monday and it will close on December 28.
Players that are on playoff teams will have an extra five days after their team's last game to enter the portal.
Vols senior defensive lineman Omari Thomas was asked on Tuesday about his thoughts on a few of his teammates entering the portal before Tennessee's playoff game.
"I respect all those guys who have been here and entered the portal and left," said Thomas. "They're doing what's best for them. We would love to have those guys here with us on this journey that we're going on right now, but in that situation they have to do what's best for them. All we can do is respect it and be ready to fight with the guys that we do have here."
Thomas was also asked what he would do if he were in the same situation.
"I just think if I were to hit the portal, I'd want to still be around the team that I'm leaving," said Thomas. "Just because it give false narratives, in my opinion….all we can do is respect it. But we gotta be ready to fight with the guys that's still here."
Vols sophomore linebacker Jeremiah Telander was also asked on Tuesday about teammates entering the portal.
"I guess people just have to do what they feel is best for them," said Telander. "I don't get into all of that and I wish those guys the best."
It's a tough spot for those players to be in. I'm sure they want to experience the playoff, but if they aren't going to play a key role for Tennessee in the postseason and they've already decided to transfer, then they'd be putting themselves at a disadvantage when it comes to finding a new home. That's because even though those players will have five days to enter the portal after Tennessee's last game, they don't know what opportunities will still be available.
It's not the most ideal setup for the sport, but because of the academic calendar and spring practice, there isn't really a setup that makes more sense.
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