Tennessee football: Henry To’o To’o doesn’t deserve hate from fans

The worst fear for many Tennessee football fans was realized early Saturday morning as Henry To’o To’o announced his commitment to the Alabama Crimson Tide. To’o To’o, who played two years under Jeremy Pruitt’s coaching staff from 2019-2020, entered the transfer portal shortly after Pruitt was fired for cause in January.

Named a Freshman All-American by 247 Sports in 2019, To’o To’o accounted for 148 total tackles, 1.5 sacks and a pick during his two seasons in Knoxville. While his decision to join Nick Saban in Tuscaloosa is disappointing, it wasn’t a choice for anyone else to make. And though it may be hard to stomach right now, Tennessee football fans shouldn’t hate on his commitment.

For starters, it’s important to understand that high school football recruits commit to coaches, not programs. Josh Heupel has expressed interest in signing players that want to represent the Power T, but most athletes are focused on making it to the NFL. When Tennessee football showed Pruitt the door, they knew a few of the players he recruited would leave the program, too. And they did.

Also keep in mind that if To’o To’o returned to Rocky Top, he would be walking into a completely different coaching staff and roster. Not just that, but a coaching staff now centered around offense, not defense. For a player with two seasons of NCAA eligibility remaining, does that make a ton of sense? And disregard Tennessee football’s traditions or being “loyal” as reasons for staying. Neither of those points will help him play in the NFL.

What will help the California native break into the next level is picking up right where he left off at his new school. Under Saban at Alabama, 29 players have been drafted in the last three seasons alone – three of which were linebackers. Tennessee football on the other hand has only had four players drafted in the last three years. Only Darrell Taylor was a defensive player.

Competing with Pruitt and Brian Niedermeyer, the Crimson Tide were heavily involved in To’o To’o’s high school recruitment out of De La Salle High School in Concord, Calif. Given why both of his primary recruiters with Tennessee football were let go, maybe Saban would’ve landed him the first time around if circumstances were different.

This would hurt less if he chose to play for some PAC 12 program that UT doesn’t face off with once a season. But it would be ridiculous to think adding To’o To’o will suddenly be the difference in the next third Saturday in October matchup.

The hope is Heupel’s coaching staff will return Tennessee football to competing with schools like Alabama and the Georgia Bulldogs on the field. Until then, how can Vol Nation complain when players are no longer learning from their original head coach and have the opportunity to play for a better team? Everybody should wish To’o To’o the best of luck in achieving his career goals on and off the football field.

On the bright side, the Vols aren’t entirely bare at the inside linebacker position anymore. Heupel recently landed a commitment from the Texas Longhorns’ leading tackler in 2020, Juwan Mitchell. He’ll look to fill the void left by two of Rocky Top’s most beloved players, To’o To’o and Quavaris Crouch.