Maybe, just maybe, they weren't paid. Maybe they were sold something by the previous coaches and all the way up to the firings, they believed them.
Then the coaches get fired, the players in question then feel misled by many including the former AD, so they are hurt and confused. Then the new AD is hired followed somewhat closely by the HC, but it takes a bit of time to get the offensive staff in place, and even now the whole defensive staff has not been announced.
I don't fault them at all for being concerned about their own well-being.
All of us fans who want to crucify these kids are thinking that we, as fans, are loyal to Tennessee, through thick and thin, so why aren't the players?
That is not fair. QC and HT have given more for Tennessee than most of the fans on this site combined. Sure they are getting an education, but these guys have a legitimate chance at playing in NFL. They were duped by the previous staff and only have 2 years to get it right and any mistakes along the way could cost them millions of dollars.
Who are we to question their motives? They are very very competitive players. If they are here next Fall, they will be giving it their all.
Let me ask you one question. Where is your loyalty to these kids? You judge them now without knowing what their motives are. Perhaps they have simply wanted to know who their LB coach is. He hasn't even been announced as far as I can tell. He has been rumored to be hired, perhaps 2 days ago.
I love the UT fans who support coaches and players when everything is going well, but when there are difficulties, they sell them down the river. These decisions are bigger than anything the vast majority of UT students and certainly fans ever had to make regarding their schooling or school.
Somewhat asked in a thread what team would you follow if UT disbanded the team. I wouldn't follow any other team. I am Tennessee fan and have been since the late 80's as a child.