I wonder if he felt Sapp, Bituli and JJ Peterson encroaching on his starting position? Maybe he felt the injuries had slowed him down too much to start.
This is a super smart kid with a photographic memory. Not so smart about transferring though!
Cmon man, you just got a top shelf defensive minded coach and you're bailing out?
I saw him at dinner one time last year on crutches at Ruth's Chris and he was with what only I can describe as a handler. ( Granted not sure what a handler isIt appeared it was his mom and this guy that would not be commonly found in East Tennessee - $2000 suit, too animated, Johnny Cochran type, made my skin crawl a little -- the same way attorneys make my skin crawl a little.
No offense.
In his defense - post injury, he may be not as quick as he once was and thinks a step down from going against Alabama and Georgia every week might be a good idea.
I wish him the best either way -- so sorry he was injured so often in his 3 years here.
Note - not a lot of $ 2000 suites in East Tennessee.
Good luck where ever he lands.
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wL_fsm4Hupc[/youtube]
Sometimes when a guy has injury issues it's easy to forget the impact as a youngster in the program or what a combination of good players can be together. So, let's not forget what Barnett and Kirkland looked like.
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y0E1UdPwwXk[/youtube]
GBO!!!
I love UT football as much as anyone else, but sooner or later, some of you need to realize you're putting a game above a young man's future. As much as he's been through here, it's hard to blame the young man for wanting a fresh start. As is, his potential as a future NFL player is highly questionable simply because of his injury history. Wish him well and let him go. Maybe he can salvage something football wise, or maybe he plays one more year for love of the game then pursues a career in whatever field he majored in. Whatever happens, he's graduated from UT. He's earned the right to choose his next step. Stop acting like these guys are property.
Word is he will land in North Carolina. Most likely he wasnt going to be or was goin to have an uphill battle to start. Best of luck to him , another Butch jones casualty of what could have been.
That is because for some people they are merely fans of the institution of Tennessee football. The individuals playing the game are really nothing more than the vehicle through which the institution operates for them. As a result they only see the player through a "what have you done for me lately" lens. Typically that only changes once the player has given all of his years to their precious institution.
It's simply this, Darrin Kirkland can come and go as he pleases--that's the terms of his contract, right? He signed up with UT to play football and get a first class education. The reason he was signed and received a very FREE education was to make Tennessee great in football (his part). In return, UT was to give him a free (tuition, boarding, books, etc) education.
Apparently, he is graduating with his diploma. Did Tennessee receive their fair share? Did he really contribute enough to say they did? If so, fine.
Otherwise, not so sure he is a great 'lover of Tennessee;...not sure we got our end of the bargain.
But hey, maybe it wasn't entirely his decision. Either way, you pretending I'm on some drug really plays well into you and the pickle's narrative and mutual butt buddy's club.
Florida needs LBs, but have some pretty good numbers there right now compared to last year. Wow, imagine Kirkland playing for UF. Thatd lead to some lively discussion here; message board gold.