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

[ETNCvol]

Let’s face it, somebody got inside Nico’s head and told him he was worth more (probably his Dad but maybe a girl friend or his agent). Now the kid has screwed himself , now he has nothing and has to take his chances with a possible better deal with the portal.

Oh, and how do you think those NFL teams might feel about Nico now? Likely will cost him more in NFL money from this bad decision.

Don’t f*** with the big UT, you ain’t never bigger than the team !

 

[SpookyAction]

The family did it. Dad had been reaching out to trans for many months.

Reminds me of the negative impact Tua's 'camp' had on him and his career at Bama.

 

[Majors]

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.

Tennessee allowed him to walk which shows what they think of his ability.

 

[Majors]

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.

No Sampson for one.

 

[loservol]

Did our offense just get better, inquiring minds want to know.

Now they can throw away "The Football For Idiots" playbook and start using a real playbook again.

 

[ButchPlz]

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.

I wouldn't be so sure there's an offer in hand. The way the dad keeps shopping him around and posting on twitter calling journalists "bitch" makes me think he's not the brightest bulb on the tree.

 

[TheVolsFrog]

Wouldn't be surprised to see Deion and CU pick him up. They'd fit right in there with that circus.

Thought about that but there’s only one mouth piece at CU and that’s Sanders.

 

[dieseldaddy]

I hope he ends up at Kentucky.

Told the wife hope he sucks at mississippi state next year. Now she's not talking to me

 

[Doc_Vol]

 

[UTFranklinVol]

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

this is exactly what I'm saying! except I was getting rocks thrown at me because I saw how bad he was last year people didn't like it when I kept saying Sampson and our defense were the only reason we made the playoffs.

 

[DEFENDTHISHOUSE]

C’est la vie.

 

[Vols till I fall]

Can't believe some of yall defended a cookie pajamas wearing grown man

 

[TartanTurff]

San Diego State or Fresno State are better suited to Nico skillset, last season he accounted for two (2) touchdowns in the Arkansas, Oklahoma (1), Florida, Alabama (1) and Georgia games, can't blame everybody else for that lack of explosiveness without looking who is lined up a quarterback,

Hopefully, this will be the beginning of the end of OC Joey Halzle, that guy is in way over his head in the SEC and our results in the years we play in Gainesville and Tuscaloosa dictate the 8-4, thank goodness we are not currently playing Texas, A & M, Ole Miss or South Carolina in conference play

 

[imavolfan]

So now all that Spyre money goes with Nico, and UT and the contributors get nothing out of it.

And...we now only have 2 school quarterbacks with little or game experience.
Josh needs to get in the portal jiffy quick for an experienced quarterback.

The only “good” QB’s that would be in the portal now will be the Nico’s.

 

[Flogballs]

It’s a shame it came to this. I want to give Nico the benefit of the doubt and believe that he’s a good kid; but misguided by his “advisors”. Hopefully they learn from this and can help Nico in his long term interests.

That being said, good for Heupel. No player is bigger than program. I couldn’t be prouder of the University and how the athletic programs are being guided. Heupel, Barnes, Vitello - and Danny White - we seem to be in good hands.

 

[tbh]

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

I was thinking Haiti, or Burma.

 

[0311]

Forget this guy. Bring back Moore to assist in QB development, he knows the system well. Merk is the new #1! Go VOLS

 

[Vol737]

Told the wife hope he sucks at mississippi state next year. Now she's not talking to me

So, you’re getting some peace and quiet around the house now?

 

[The Vin Man]

I think he’s at Arizona but I might be wrong.

You’re right. He’s at Arkansas. My bad

 

[Carl Pickens]

Somewhere between Kiffin and Arian Foster?

If Merk struggles and the Vols go 7-5, Nico will move much higher on the list

 

[loservol]

San Diego State or Fresno State are better suited to Nico skillset, last season he accounted for two (2) touchdowns in the Arkansas, Oklahoma (1), Florida, Alabama (1) and Georgia games, can't blame everybody else for that lack of explosiveness without looking who is lined up a quarterback,

Hopefully, this will be the beginning of the end of OC Joey Halzle, that guy is in way over his head in the SEC and our results in the years we play in Gainesville and Tuscaloosa dictate the 8-4, thank goodness we are not currently playing Texas, A & M, Ole Miss or South Carolina in conference play

If the reports are true about him having dinner at Hazles place the night before the no-show , kind of have to wonder what happened?

 

[VOLtaism]

I read this morning he is the 1st college holdout. This is a record that can never be broken.

 

[UTFranklinVol]

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.

last year we had a pretty anemic offense and won, sure. we won because of a monster running back and a monster defense. but we lost our best defender and beat running back and the OL will be more unproven than last year. throw in that 1 or 2 WR check out this season due to Nico being gone and we are throwing Merk into a situation way worse than Nico last year.

all just speculation at this point but this is my feeling right now.

 

[the_todd]

I hate Nico took reps away from the other QBs in Spring practice only to bail.

He was shopping/ looking for more money back on December. He did this on purpose. He took all the 1st teams reps throughout all of spring practice, denying the other 2 qbs 1st team reps, then bolted on the very last day of spring practice.

Major dick move.

 

[SpookyAction]

Call Gaston Moore. He could upgrade his situation by coming back.
Spend the Nico money on a CB, OLineman, and/or WR.