Per Thamel: Heupel informed team this morning that Vols would move on from Nico.

[loservol]

Good. UT and Heupel being adults and putting an end to this charade.

Nico is a fool for letting his glory seeking, money grubbing dad run his show. The absolutely worst possible look for Nico because it’s been an issue since he got here. Angling for more money, overtly sending out feelers to other coaches on their interest - IMO he should have been dismissed when that came out. I don’t think I’ve ever had as much contempt for a former VOL as I do for Nico and daddy - and that’s saying something given our history.

Something has to give with the NIL landscape. Players should be able I make money but this abomination is out of control. We helped create it but I don’t think most (including myself) thought it would get to this point, this fast. Foolish thinking.

Never thought I live to see someone else dethroned Jeremy Pruitt for most hated Vol.

 

[Sam I Am]

His brother is at Arkansas. Wouldn’t surprise me if Dad pushes him there in the hopes of sticking it to us in Neyland this year.

He can't transfer to another SEC school....

 

[StarRaider]

so nico already received 4 mil (2 for a 2024 NYD bowl game and 2 for last season)

 

[UTFranklinVol]

Losing one player like him doesn't require a hard reset. Especially when there are capable guys in reserve

1. I'm pretty sure he isn't the only player we are going to lose over this.
2. while there may be potentially capable guys in reserve they are extremely young and unproven
3. The shakeup at OL from last year to this year was already going to be a hurdle to overcome. we needed a QB with experience.

I'm not saying Tennessee is going to lose 10 games this year, but I'm definitely saying they aren't going to win 10 games. it's going to be a bumpy ride again just like a couple years ago.

 

[Majors]

If the rumors are true. Oregon coach is the one that told coach hype that Nico was sniffing for a deal. Not sure Oregon wants the distraction that will follow not was Nico playing like Tua lighting it up and worth the risk.

Think coaches are fed up and shopping 4M is a big ask on a call.

 

[VolsFan-TX]

And his agent. One of the articles stated his agent was asking for 4 million. My guess is the agent wanted his cut and pushed Nico into thinking he would get it. One of the factors not talked about in NIL. These agents are more greedy than the 18-21 year old kids.

His agent may have forced the request for more money, but Nico had to agree to sit out practice and miss team meetings.

 

[StarRaider]

Guess it is California.

usc is my guess

 

[DooleyOrangePants]

Never thought I live to see someone else dethroned Jeremy Pruitt for most hated Vol.

Yet here we are. Strange times indeed.

Orange and White game needs to be a rally for this guys that have stuck it out. And we need to be paying some guys and hitting the portal with our windfall.

 

[Rocky Top T]

Best thing for the team! Good riddance !

 

[Augustus McRae]

This is a great opportunity for a message to be sent. All D1 schools should blackball him, leaving him to pay his own way at Incarnate Word!!

 

[TheVolsFrog]

^ this should be the concern. How does it impact Sanders or Matthews

TN paid Gibson and paid Matthew’s so they know TN willing to pay it’s possible they didn’t like Nico leaving right before the O&W

 

[OrangeTsar]

I get it…but I think his dad overplayed a hand he didn’t have and may have screwed over his son in the process. I’m betting on a “Todd Marinovich” type documentary coming out one day where we find out Nico didn’t really want to leave UT, but couldn’t tell his dad no.

Nico is an adult. No one can force him to make a stupid decision. He owns this.

 

[loservol]

I hope his apparel is already pulled from every store in Knoxvile and online

Karms probably just received a huge donation of #8 jerseys.

 

[OrangeTsar]

This is a great opportunity for a message to be sent. All D1 schools should blackball him, leaving him to pay his own way at Incarnate Word!!

And the chances of that happening are about as likely as me winning NBA player of the year

 

[TheVolsFrog]

I went to some other big name schools forums last night to see what they were saying. Oregon was just like us. They said "let him go kick rocks". Oklahoma used the term "extortion". USC(west) said "NIL is terrible. It's allowing the inmates to run the asylum". (Ironically, my guess is USC is where he'll end up)

I think we as fans can all agree that players holding teams hostage isn’t something we want.

 

[goooooovols]

I’ve found a few things interesting over the end of last year and few months:

1. Nico was never a captain, although quiet your leaders are usually there
2. Lots of reports out of camp that Merk was looking super sharp, took a step forward and that Nico was missing some things
3. The team never seemed close to him, he’d come off the field, sit, no one around and vice versa.

Hope this ends up being an extraction of cancer

 

[Augustus McRae]

And the chances of that happening are about as likely as me winning NBA player of the year

I know. Buy it'd be nice

 

[OrangeTsar]

Karms probably just received a huge donation of #8 jerseys.

Vol fans should donate them to farmers instead. Help keep the pigs warm in the winter

 

[Legion of Doom]

Imagine being in a job that has paid you 4 million in 2 years and doing them this dirty. That family I hope is catching hell on their Twitter and Facebook feeds. You don’t treat people that stood behind you like that.

 

[UTFranklinVol]

I get it…but I think his dad overplayed a hand he didn’t have and may have screwed over his son in the process. I’m betting on a “Todd Marinovich” type documentary coming out one day where we find out Nico didn’t really want to leave UT, but couldn’t tell his dad no.

I don't think his dad overplayed his hand. I think he had an offer and tried to get UT to match it or walk. these kids don't care what school they play for. I'm not saying Nico didn't like UT but he likes UT less than he likes lots more money.

 

[VOLtaism]

They have no choice, he terminated himself. A guy, or family, like this will wait until the week before you are playing for the national championship and demand a pay increase.

 

[Vols till I fall]

Just seeing how many people happily writing off Nico just goes to show you that all of us were defending mediocrity because of pride

 

[OrangeTsar]

Henry T‘oTo‘o: i am the most despised former Vol in history.

Nico: Hold my beer

 

[Majors]

TN paid Gibson and paid Matthew’s so they know TN willing to pay it’s possible they didn’t like Nico leaving right before the O&W

Part of Matthews being here is Nico throwing the ball to him.

 

[Dadof2Vols]

I don't know that our OL will be that good being a lot of new guys and we are sure to lose some top talent at WR due to this fiasco. we are basically gonna put a freshman QB into the lions den again. I think this is going to be a hard reset year as Heupel figures out what is next.

How will Merk starting be that much different then Nico starting last year and 10-3 wasn’t that bad? I say let’s go with the ones that want to be here.