What to do with LB Flights in the transfer portal

We’re nearing 70 days since Eric Gray, Henry To’o to’o Wanya Morris and Quavaris Crouch, four gems of Tennessee football’s signature class of 2019, entered the transfer portal. Gray and Morris have since joined the Oklahoma Sooners, but To’o to’o and Crouch’s status is still very much unknown.

Both were highly rated four-star contenders who chose Flights over schools like the Clemson Tigers and Alabama Crimson Tide. They are irreplaceable inside linebackers for UT. From 2019-2020, To’o to’o amassed 148 total tackles under Jeremy Pruitt. Crouch totaled 85. If they transfer, they will leave behind a fairly young but very inexperienced inside linebacker squad.

However, it’s been almost 70 days since the two officially started flirting with the idea of ​​leaving Knoxville, and despite heavy rumors converging on Rocky Top from across the country, they are still not engaged. If both players were so determined to quit Tennessee football, then why didn’t they? How to properly assess this situation?

What we know

Both linebackers are currently taking classes with the University of Tennessee.. While the classes are believed to be all live, we do know that both players have been to Knoxville at different times since entering the transfer portal. Conversely, the duo have not associated with the team since the change of coach. Neither player was on the team’s official spring roster.

We also know that coaches and players believe there is still a chance for them both to return to Neyland Stadium in orange and white in the fall. If they return, it is clear that there will be no hard feelings.

What could happen

Rumors of potential landing sites for the two highly regarded athletes have covered just about every Power Five conference across the country. Crouch was rumored to be in favor of the Michigan Wolverines, who were heavily involved in his high school recruiting.

Many recruiting experts believed To’o to’o would stay closer to home and play for USC Trojans. However, another claimed it was a “deal made” that the California native would join Nick Saban’s club in Tuscaloosa, Ala.

In short, those who can say for sure where the two old Flights will land probably do not know either. We’ll find out their transfer destinations when they announce it themselves. For this reason, we will refrain from speculating on Josh Heupel’s chances of luring To’o to’o and Crouch into the Tennessee football locker room.

However, the official loss of To’o To’o and Crouch would be devastating to the defense of the Vols. Retaining even one of the two would strengthen a group of linebackers that lack established leadership, particularly with JJ Peterson entering the transfer portal and two linebackers suspended for spring training.

As each training day goes by without any of the players on the roster, it feels like the two may be gone already. Still, players like Alontae Taylor have hope, and adding these two names for a freshman SEC head coach would be huge.

It’s not out of place to assume that both players were tied to the NFL after three years anyway, so convincing them to stay in familiar surroundings and play for one more season could help UT in this situation. Not all teams have one player, let alone two, who could find a spot on any team in the country. This is the unique situation UT finds itself in.

If they’re healthy, To’o To’o and Crouch would likely be on the pitch for the vast majority of the team’s defensive shots in 2021. Heupel is charged with the difficult responsibility of keeping two players who could be theirs. only redefining his first defense as the Tennessee Football Head Coach.