Addison Nichols was once the crown jewel of Tennessee’s 2022 signing class on the offensive side of the ball.
He never found consistent starting snaps with the Vols and ended up in the transfer portal this offseason.
It didn’t take long for him to find a new SEC home, though, as he announced on Tuesday that he will be playing for the Arkansas Razorbacks next season.
The offseason is almost underway for Tennessee football.
The Vols have concluded the regular season and are now focusing on roster construction for the 2023 season.
Volunteer Country has fans covered with all the latest portal entries and NFL Draft declarations.
The portal window is from December 4 until January 2.
If players don’t transfer within that window, they must wait until May following spring practice to enter the transfer portal.
For the last couple of weeks, the feeling has been that Tennessee Vols quarterback Joe Milton will play in the Citrus Bowl against the Iowa Hawkeyes.
Milton is from South Florida and played high school football in Orlando, which is where the Citrus Bowl will be played.
It would be poetic for Milton to end his college career in the same city where he was recruited by some of the top programs in the nation.
If Joe elects not to play, and this will be a Joe decision — I don’t think Josh Heupel is going to tell Joe he can’t play in the bowl game — if Joe elected to not play in the bowl game, I think that’s something they would probably keep quiet for at least a little bit longer,” said Price.
“I don’t see them just unveiling it right now. Josh Heupel’s big on the gamesmanship.
If that (Milton opting out) were to be the case, I think we would see it a little closer — I’m not saying he’s going to take it all the way to the day before the game — but I think he’s going to want Iowa to spend as much time preparing for one guy when it’s the other guy.”
“I think that’s (Milton opting out) still a possibility,” added Price. “I don’t think it’s crazy talk to think that you could see Joe elect to not play in the bowl game.”
One scenario that could make sense, and this is purely speculation, would be for Milton to start the game with a series or two, which would allow him to take the field in Orlando for the final snaps of his collegiate career, before handing the ball over to Nico.
That would help Milton avoid a potential injury while still getting a few snaps.
And more importantly, for Tennessee at least, it would give the Vols a head start on the 2024 season by getting Nico some meaningful snaps against a tough defense.
