Butch Jones confirmed on Friday that running back Derrell Scott is planning to transfer.
On Sunday, we learned two more Vols are also planning to transfer.
According to Jones, freshman tight end Daniel Helm and freshman defensive end Dewayne Hendrix will both seek a transfer.
Butch says Helm, Hendrix and Derrell Scott are all transferring.
— Patrick Brown (@pbrown247) December 14, 2014
Helm started two of the 12 games in which he played for the Vols this season. The Illinois native caught six passes for 37 yards. Helm battled through an ankle sprain this season, but didn’t miss any games.
Hendrix played in seven games for the Volunteers this season. The former four-star recruit, who is also from Illinois, accounted for two tackles in those seven games.
Both Hendrix and Helm have a ton of potential and their transfers will certainly hurt Tennessee from a depth standpoint.
Helm had the potential to be a playmaker in the Vols’ offense. He has the prototypical size/speed combination of “new age” tight ends.
It’s never a good thing when you lose players, particularly highly touted players. Sometimes, however, players and schools just aren’t a good fit.
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Perhaps Hendrix and Helm were frustrated by their lack of playing time. Hendrix had the misfortune of playing behind stud freshman Derek Barnett and the resurgent Curt Maggitt.
Helm is the only one of the two that might have a legitimate gripe. As the season went on, the Vols seemed to not utilize the tight end position as much.
Early in the season we saw the Volunteers run their tight ends down the seam, creating some nice offensive opportunities.
Those opportunities didn’t present themselves nearly as often down the stretch.
Tennessee will continue to rely heavily on Ethan Wolf and Alex Ellis at the tight end position. The Vols also have a commitment from three-star 2015 tight end Kyle Oliver.