money 3 Tennessee football players weigh in on whether they'll return next season
MIAMI – Bowl season means players are pondering whether they’ll return next season, and Tennessee is no exception.
The NFL Draft and the transfer portal can lure a player away. And an extra year of eligibility due to COVID is a factor, as well.
On Tuesday, three Tennessee players with eligibility remaining answered the question while preparing to face Clemson in the Orange Bowl.
Linebacker Aaron Beasley said he’s “coming back for sure” in 2023.
He has played 42 games with 20 starts over four seasons, but he has one season of eligibility remaining because of the COVID exempt year.
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Defensive tackle Omari Thomas said he “never thought about” leaving Tennessee early.
He has played 35 games with 18 starts over three seasons. He has two seasons of eligibility remaining.
Defensive end Tyler Baron, a former Knox Catholic standout, said he “has not made the decision” about next season.
He has played 35 games with eight starts over three seasons and has two seasons of eligibility remaining.
It’s debatable whether any of the three would be drafted. But they could certainly vie for a roster spot in the NFL, at least as an undrafted free agent.
Here’s who could return for Tennessee defense in 2023
No. 6 Tennessee (10-2) will play No. 7 Clemson (11-2) on Friday (8 p.m. ET, ESPN) at Hard Rock Stadium.
It’s a pivotal game in the program’s growth to finish coach Josh Heupel’s second season. The Vols earned 10 regular-season wins for the first time in 2003.
But the bowl could also build momentum toward 2023.
As many as 20 of the top 25 players in terms of total snaps played can return for Tennessee’s defense next season.
Safety Trevon Flowers, defensive end LaTrell Bumphus and reserve linebacker Solon Page have used all their eligibility. Linebacker Jeremy Banks and All-SEC edge rusher Byron Young have declared for the NFL Draft.
Young will play in the Orange Bowl, but Banks opted out.
Others could enter the transfer portal until the deadline Jan. 18. But it appears the 2023 defense could look similar to the 2022 defense.
Any players returning next season would be a bonus for a defense that thrived against the run but struggled against the pass.
What Vols said about their 2023 plans
Thomas and Baron are key cogs for the Vols, who rank No. 2 in the SEC in rush defense.
Baron, a 6-foot-5, 260-pounder, has 6½ tackles for loss and six quarterback hurries. Thomas, a 6-4, 320-pounder, has 2½ tackles for loss and four quarterback hurries while filling gaps in the middle.
In January, Baron entered the transfer portal but withdrew after just one day. In spring practice, he said, “I just had a few questions to ask. Our coaches answered them, so I’m where my feet are and I’m happy to be here.”
Baron said it’s easy to focus on the Orange Bowl this week and ponder his future later. But he referenced the importance of winning this game to build momentum toward next season.
“I’m a very in-the-moment type of guy. I’m really worried about being here with my teammates and helping everybody get this win,” Baron said. “It’ll just be a great feeling to build off of.”
Beasley and Thomas said they never seriously considered entering the draft.
“I want to graduate. And I want to grow as a player," Thomas said. "There’s more for me to do as a player, and I want to show consistency.”
Beasley leads Tennessee with 64 tackles. He ranks second in tackles for loss (9) and quarterback hurries (9) behind Young.
“I need more experience because I just started playing linebacker when I got to college,” said Beasley, who played running back and safety in high school. “I feel like I need to further develop my game. I need be better in my pass rush, make more plays and get more comfortable at the position.”
Reach Adam Sparks at adam.sparks@knoxnews.com and on Twitter @AdamSparks.
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Tennessee football: 3 players update on plans regarding 2023 season
