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Tennessee football: 5 freshman and sophomore Vols who could join XFL

By Caleb Calhoun

ATHENS, GA - SEPTEMBER 29: Head Coach Jeremy Pruitt of the Tennessee Volunteers discusses a play with Bryce Thompson #20 during the game against the Georgia Bulldogs on September 29, 2018 in Athens, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images)
ATHENS, GA - SEPTEMBER 29: Head Coach Jeremy Pruitt of the Tennessee Volunteers discusses a play with Bryce Thompson #20 during the game against the Georgia Bulldogs on September 29, 2018 in Athens, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images) /
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Tennessee football is one of many schools who could be hit by the XFL signing freshmen and sophomores in 2020. Here are five Volunteers who could leave.

The newly formed XFL isn’t playing around. Signing deals to make sure their games air on ABC, ESPN and Fox properties means they’re already a bigger player than the AAF was going to be. And yes, this could dramatically affect Tennessee football.

As the Vols work to rebuild their program under Jeremy Pruitt, Vince McMahon’s revived league is going to be able to sign freshmen and sophomores. Whether or not that happens next year remains to be seen. It also may take some time for the league to establish itself before kids playing college ball decide to leave early.

But by playing on such major networks, it’s likely going to happen. Like so many other schools, Tennessee football will then have to address what to do with its player. Unless the NCAA starts allowing athletes to be paid, this could change everything.

So what if this happens immediately? After all, with such a big deal, you could see plenty of college players deciding to take a chance in that league. Could the Vols lose some guys prematurely to the XFL if things go a certain way?

Well, it’s time to take a look at that. In this post, we’re going to rank the freshman and sophomore Vols who would be most likely to leave early for the XFL. This doesn’t apply to juniors and seniors or even redshirt sophomores for this year because they will all be looking at the NFL.

This list, however, will include guys who have tons of NFL potential but just won’t be eligible for the draft next year because of the age restrictions. Given their talent, they could get a look at the XFL. And the guys we’re naming have such a great chance at playing time that other leagues will take notice.

Considering their chance for more exposure and their talent, this is something that could threaten the Vols. Let’s take a look at the guys who are the biggest threat to that. These are five freshmen and sophomores who could leave Tennessee football early for the XFL next year.

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