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

[BigOrangeCrush32]

Henry To'oto'o is prob the happiest guy in this whole situation...Nico is now the most hated former player (doesn't deserve to be called a VOL, even if preceded by the word "former")

 

[lvocd]

I'm definitely NOT going to wish a bad future to a kid whose brain isn't even fully developed yet just because he has made a bad decision, unfortunately influenced by greedy leeches.

He's a kid. He has been pumped up and spoiled and brainwashed by others into thinking he is the best thing to come along in college football EVER, and not taught the importance of keeping promises and contracts. The adults in his life have obviously been failing him for a long time, and here's where we are now.

UT is bowing out of that drama, and that's good for the program. Hopefully Nico will learn some important lessons and not have ruined his life. None of us adults should want the kid's life ruined over this. That would be FAR worse than anything he or his family has ever done.

We'll have a great quarterback next season, and a more mature locker room because of this. GO VOLS!

 

[Carl Pickens]

You think they’re gonna pay him and Beck or you think Beck will leave? I wouldn’t rule out Washington.

No. I had my head up my behind and had forgotten about Beck

 

[Vol-in-Atlanta]

Good. Let's hope the next guy reverses the trend of "Overthrow U"

 

[VOLINVONORE]

Not really upset at all! Good riddance and next man up!!

I agree

 

[Carl Pickens]

Yeah, I feel like a dope now. I’d forgotten about Beck

 

[Vol-in-Atlanta]

View attachment 734687

I regret I can only "like" this once. This is spot on and pure genius.

 

[tim]

Addition by subtraction. Too much of a distraction and the team is greater than the individual. Grow up

 

[BJWeeks]

Heard none of his Vol teammates came to his birthday party

 

[TC 83]

I heard one rumor Oregon’s coach contacted us that Nico’s crew was shopping. I wonder if there’s any truth to that’s how this all started. If so, kudos to Dan Lanning.

 

[kckempf]

There is still one way Nico could turn this around. He could make a public statement that he made a mistake and is severing all tie with his family as far as business or representation goes, ask to be allowed to return at his original salary, and most importantly, ask his teammates to forgive him.
I don’t expect it to happen; but it is the one way he could salvage his reputation.

Kind of what I'm thinking. Nico's path to maximizing his pay is to return to Tennessee. He'll have to become an expert at apologizing to do that.

 

[TC 83]

Thank God our new guy can pronounce more names.

I heard Mike Keith say it’s a beautiful day at Nissan..Neyland stadium. You could tell he was chuckling to himself. So happy we have him.

 

[Voljayton]

I think Merklinger is gonna turn out to be the guy we needed anyway. No facts to back it up...just a feeling. Nico never looked like a leader out there. Bring on the Merkman.

 

[VOLINVONORE]

I'm definitely NOT going to wish a bad future to a kid whose brain isn't even fully developed yet just because he has made a bad decision, unfortunately influenced by greedy leeches.

He's a kid. He has been pumped up and spoiled and brainwashed by others into thinking he is the best thing to come along in college football EVER, and not taught the importance of keeping promises and contracts. The adults in his life have obviously been failing him for a long time, and here's where we are now.

UT is bowing out of that drama, and that's good for the program. Hopefully Nico will learn some important lessons and not have ruined his life. None of us adults should want the kid's life ruined over this. That would be FAR worse than anything he or his family has ever done.

We'll have a great quarterback next season, and a more mature locker room because of this. GO VOLS!

I usually don’t feel this way, but I would like us t lay against him in a game someday and make him understand the mistake he made. Beat his team to a pulp on the score board. I don’t want to injure him physically, but I do want him to suffer emotionally. Give the worm what he has earned.

 

[OrangeInKy]

Kind of what I'm thinking. Nico's path to maximizing his pay is to return to Tennessee. He'll have to become an expert at apologizing to do that.

No way this happens. Nor should it.

 

[Behr]

No. I had my head up my behind and had forgotten about Beck

That has never happened to anyone else on VN.

 

[lego126]

In all honestly how could he be worse? It’s not like Nico was setting anything on fire.

Maybe not, but in a west cost scheme with slower DEF.....

 

[CobbWebb71]

 

[Carl Pickens]

Now I’m gonna guess he ends up at USC

 

[butchna]

I think they scan for quality starters at the FCS level…ending up depth insurance.

 

[RockiesTop22]

UCLA or UNC are my top 2 for landing him.

Enjoy, Nico.

 

[Remy]

I totally support Heupel and the Vols. Nico ended up not what we thought he was on or off the field. I have no ill will toward him but he's very far removed from being a character guy. This will follow him all the days of his life from here on out..

 

[MurphyVol]

And if he had done that, he would have earned it.

Which makes my point that this wasn't a stance by JH to prove "nobody is bigger than the team"

 

[Nerwen Aldarion]

Now I’m gonna guess he ends up at USC

Reports are USC isn’t interested

 

[BigOrangeMojo]

I do know that he is never going to find a coach as good as Heup at developing his potential.

Lincoln Riley.

I just dont think USC has interest though...