[ad_1]
Days after Tennessee fired head football coach Jeremy Pruitt for just cause, several of its top players put their names on the NCAA transfer portal.
Linebackers Henry To’o To’o and Quavaris Crouch, running back Eric Gray and offensive lineman Jahmir Johnson entered the gate on Wednesday. All four were starters for the Flights in 2020.
To’o To’o is the biggest loss. To’o To’o immediately became a starter when he arrived on campus in 2019. Over his two seasons at Knoxville, To’o To’o racked up 148 tackles and 15 tackles for a loss. He led UT in tackles in 2020 and was second on the team in 2019 when he won the SEC All-Freshman honors.
Crouch was another member of UT’s 2019 recruiting class. He had 28 tackles as a reserve as a rookie before becoming the team’s starting midline linebacker in 2020. He was third on the team with 57 tackles.
Gray was also in his sophomore year for the Flights in 2020. He rushed for 539 yards and four TDs as a rookie. In 2020, Gray was the best rusher on the team. He finished the season with 772 yards and four scores while adding 30 receptions for 254 yards and two more touchdowns.
Johnson started 17 games in three seasons for Tennessee, making appearances for both left guard and left tackle. He was a fifth-year senior in 2020. By transferring, he will take advantage of the NCAA’s decision to give players an additional year of eligibility due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
While these defections came right after the school fired Pruitt under the cloud of multiple investigations, several other prominent players have left the program before. This includes offensive tackle Wanya Morris, running back Ty Chandler and linebacker Deandre Johnson. All three are already involved in the Power Five programs: Morris in Oklahoma, Chandler in North Carolina, and Johnson in Miami.
With Pruitt out of the picture, Tennessee have enlisted former Auburn defensive coordinator Kevin Steele to serve as the program’s interim head coach as he begins his coach search. Before a coach can be hired, the school plans to hire a new athletic director to replace Phillip Fulmer.
Fulmer, who hired Pruitt after former AD John Currie’s attempt to hire Greg Schiano caught fire, said he intends to retire. Fulmer was the head coach of UT from 1992-2008.
Learn more about Yahoo Sports:
[ad_2]
Source link