Prior to the Citrus Bowl matchup against Iowa, Tennessee’s opt-outs, injuries, and losses via the transfer portal
Over the past week, Nico Iamaleava made headlines everywhere. Following redshirt senior quarterback Joe Milton’s decision to withdraw, Tennessee’s five-star rookie quarterback would make his much expected and much-anticipated first start. However, there are more notable absences for the Vols on both sides of the ball.
Since the end of the regular season, ten Tennessee players have registered on the NCAA Transfer Portal. Three of the players are opt-outs, including Milton and the running backs Jaylen Wright and Jabari Small. Now starting, sophomore running back Dylan Sampson should see most of the touches in a rotation with rookie Cameron Seldon.
There will be new faces on defense as well, as several defensive backs will be joining the gateway and Tyler Baron transferring to Ole Miss.
Before the Tennessee Vols take on Iowa in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl on Monday at 1 p.m. Eastern Time, ABC, at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, here is a summary of Tennessee’s opt-outs, transfer losses, and injuries:
Quarterback
Joe Milton (Draft, NFL)
On Wednesday, Milton said that he will be forgoing his spot in the Citrus Bowl in order to focus on getting ready for the 2024 NFL Draft. In his first season as the Vols’ full-time starter, he ended with 2,813 yards, 20 touchdowns, and five interceptions this season.In nine games as Hendon Hooker’s backup in 20222, Milton passed for 971 yards and ten touchdowns.
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sprinting back
Wright Jaylen (NFL Draft)
Wright announced his opt-out on December 15 and filed for the 2024 NFL Draft. ran for 2,297 yards and eighteen touchdowns on 368 tries over his three seasons with the Vols. This season, on just 137 carries for 1,013 yards at an average of 7.4 yards per carry, he became the 19th rushing back in Tennessee history to achieve 1,000 yards.
Small Jabari (NFL Draft)
Small, who formally declared his opt-out on Friday, has run 95 times for 475 yards and seven touchdowns in 11 games this season. He set career highs last season by running 157 times for 734 yards and 13 rushing scores and by catching 12 receptions for 106 yards and two receiving touchdowns.
Line of Defense
Tyler Baron (Ole Miss-committed)
On December 8, it was announced that Tyler Baron, a senior defensive end for Tennessee, intended to use the NCAA Transfer Portal. The Knoxville native, who stands 6-foot-5 and weighs 260 pounds, just finished his greatest season with the Vols, recording a career-high 10.5 tackles for loss and 6.0 sacks. In 12 games, he totaled 28 tackles (16 solo and 12 assisted).
Protective Back
Warren Burrell (Georgia Tech Committed)
On November 30, redshirt senior defensive back Warren Burrell declared his intention to register as a graduate transfer through the NCAA Transfer Portal. He played in 37 games for the Vols over his five seasons at Tennessee, recording 91 tackles, 3.0 tackles for loss, one interception, seven passes defended, and one fumble recovery.
Slaughter, Doneiko (Devoted to Arkansas)
On December 8, it was revealed that Doneiko Slaughterin, a senior defensive back from Tennessee, frequently uses the NCAA Transfer Portal. In ten games this season, the 6-foot, 190-pound player has 32 tackles and one sack.
Tamarion McDonald, an Ole Miss alumnus
On December 11, Tennessee senior nickel Tamarion McDonald turned in paperwork to use the NCAA Transfer Portal. He totaled 115 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, one sack, and four interceptions over his four seasons with the Vols.
Walker Wesley
Wesley Walker, a redshirt senior defensive back, registered on December 22 through the NCAA Transfer Portal. Following the 2021 season, Walker transferred from Georgia Tech to Tennessee. In 23 games with the Vols, he recorded 89 tackles, 9.0 tackles for loss, 2.0 sacks, and two interceptions.
Brandon Turnage
Brandon Turnage, a redshirt senior defensive back, registered on the NCAA Transfer Portal on December 4. Before moving to Tennessee in 2020, 6-foot-1, 186-pound Turnage began his collegiate career at Alabama. He played in 31 games during his three seasons with the Vols, tallying 48 tackles, 3.0 tackles for loss, an interception, and five passes defensed.
Report on Injury
Decisions made during the game: offensive lineman Omarr Norman-Lott (ankle), offensive tackle Gerald Mincey (knee), and offensive tackle John Campbell (ankle).
Wide receiver Dont’e Thornton is gone, as is wide receiver Bru McCoy.linebacker Keenan Pili, offensive lineman Andrej Karic, linebacker Aririon Carter, and cornerback Kamal Hadden.
