Ex-Tennessee 4-star WR back in portal just months after winter departure

The move to the Big Ten school didn't go to plan for him.
Oct 19, 2024; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers wide receiver Nathan Leacock (85) celebrates with fans after defeating the Alabama Crimson Tide at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Alan Poizner-Imagn Images
Oct 19, 2024; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers wide receiver Nathan Leacock (85) celebrates with fans after defeating the Alabama Crimson Tide at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Alan Poizner-Imagn Images | Alan Poizner-Imagn Images

There have been plenty of changes for the Tennessee Vols since last campaign. Most notably, there were a head-turning number of receivers who decided to enter the transfer portal this winter, with former 4-star signee Nathan Leacock being on the list.

It didn't take overly long for Leacock to find a new home, as he signed with Purdue and he was expected to make noise in the Big Ten this season. All of a sudden, him being a playmaker for the Boilermakers is off the table.

In a bit of a twist, Leacock has decided to once again suit up for a different team, as he has entered the spring transfer portal. He just wrapped up his first spring with Purdue, but decided that it'll be better for him to make another move.

Former Tennessee Vols WR Nathan Leacock is back in the transfer portal

Last season for Tennessee, Leacock posted just one reception for 13 yards, doing so in the season-opener. He was not in the rotation and believed that he'd be able to have more of an impact with Purdue, but again, he's already on his way out of town.

Might this open the door for a return to the Vols? Who knows, but what we do know is that his 2025 won't include him wearing a Boilermakers jersey. Coming out of high school in 2023, Leacock signed with Josh Heupel and the Vols ranked as a four-star prospect, the No. 13 wideout in the country and the No. 76 prospect nationally per the 247Sports Composite.

Leacock originally signed with UT over North Carolina, Michigan and many others. His first two seasons with Heupel didn't go to plan and his short stay with Purdue didn't either. On top of the Leacock news on Tuesday, former Vols wideout Dayton Sneed announced his commitment to North Carolina. With the Vols bringing Joey Aguilar in to replace Nico Iamaleava, the expectation is the program will pursue a WR or two to help out the offense.

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