Nico not at practice today

[zeppelin128]

Not worth it

Agree, I'm done with all this. Let him walk.

 

[Bloodrunsorange27]

Let his a$$ go. He massively underperformed last year and keeps asking for more money.
He's not bigger than the team.

Go with Merklinger and use that money to bring in more talent from the portal.
If kids want to play free agency, its time for schools to respond the same way NFL teams do - all business

 

[PEPPERJAX]

If Nico leaves there will be others that leave as well. It could easily be a devastating domino effect.

We really don't know exactly what will happen. If UT gives Nico more money, then what stops other players from doing the same thing? Nothing at all. Do we roll with the QBs we have if NICO walks? Portal QB? Either way, I will root for the Vols.

 

[Vfl83]

The kid made 6 figures upfront and 2 mil while riding the bench. This is insane

 

[Power T-Rev]

Even if he stays, I could see this being a cancer in the locker room

 

[sonofUT62]

If Nico leaves there will be others that leave as well. It could easily be a devastating domino effect.

Or it could weed out some of the Betas.

 

[WillisWG]

 

[CAVPUT]

Odds he plays tomorrow in the O&W Game...

Why? It's meaningless and if he's going into the portal, you sure don't risk injury.

 

[SpaceCoastVol]

So I guess Matthews will be gone as well.

 

[vollygirl]

Hendon spoiled me. I'm ready to see somebody else in this offense.

 

[Rocky Top T]

If he shows up to the spring game I wonder if people boo...?

They should boo him so hard that him and daddy run back to California!!!

 

[maryvillenative]

Like I said last time he played his little game... Aloha! Don't let the door hit you in the skirt on the way out.

 

[Rocky Top T]

So I guess Matthews will be gone as well.

Then so be it!

 

[Voltopia]

This is exactly the sort of horsesh*** I've been saying would kill all of the "college sports" atmosphere. "Vol For Life" is meaningless. Just "Vol For Right Now."

Even if he stays, so what? He's just going to hold a knife to Tennessee's throat again and again. They all are. All the colleges are now - all us fans are now - are piggybanks. To be squeezed until we decide we no longer want to be squeezed.

Remember when Nico's dad flopped all over Tennessee social media saying "don't worry" and "relax" and talking about how it's all good? Yeah. About that.

 

[Nico ee-ah-MAH-LAY-ah-va]

If Nico leaves there will be others that leave as well. It could easily be a devastating domino effect.

Reports indicate a lot of key talent contacting was settled last fall. I would presume Spyre and UT are proactive in limiting that risk.

"Lets hold the whole program hostage because one guy's family wants to make even more life changing money on top of the life changing money he has already made"

 

[Nico ee-ah-MAH-LAY-ah-va]

So I guess Matthews will be gone as well.

There is no indication of this so lets not spread baseless rumors.

 

[CAVPUT]

Even if he stays, I could see this being a cancer in the locker room

He's just doing what Gibson reportedly did. That was the camel's nose under the tent moment for Heupel.

 

[Vol737]

Nico was just decent last year and I don’t really see NFL written all over him. Let him walk. I’m fine rolling with Merk. Don’t care what the W/L record is. This NIL bs sucks. Too many people in this kids ear, greedy family (dad?), agents???? Cut this distraction loose.

 

[BernardKingGOAT]

So I guess Matthews will be gone as well.

Why?

 

[BigOrangeFanatic]

I think this is telling, with him not at practice. He's gone.

 

[sonofUT62]

So I guess Matthews will be gone as well.

Then we will use that money for someone else and he can go somewhere that isn’t an SEC school.

 

[OrangeInKy]

Gonna need a source on this, that's quite the claim to just make.

Edit: appreciate the sources, y'all can stop yelling at me now lol. Don't shoot the messenger.

Chris Low , Austin Price, Adam Sparks.

 

[jtdavis]

Some people here have too much time on their hands.

 

[SpaceCoastVol]

There is no indication of this so lets not spread baseless rumors.

No indication? You actually bought the 'just to marinate' ********? I'll bet you a thousand VN bucks that if Nico leaves, he's gone as well.

 

[GetEmVols]

Meh I’m done with Nico. If he plays fine but players will never respect a man who wears a dress and needs to be paid more than $8 million per year to underperform.