John Fulkerson returning to Tennessee for a sixth season

We’re not done with John Fulkerson just yet. The senior with previously floppy hair just announced that he’s coming back to Tennessee for a sixth season, made possible by the NCAA’s additional year of eligibility due to the pandemic.

“My path still points to Rocky Top,” Fulkerson says in an emotional three-minute video. “This opportunity is too special to walk away from.”

Vol for Life 🧡 pic.twitter.com/TVZnCw4Fq8

— John Fulkerson (@fulkerson_john) April 16, 2021

Fulky Forever. Gag.

Last season, Fulkerson averaged 9.5 points and 5.5 rebounds per game, down from his 13.7 points/5.9 rebounds per game averages in 2019-20. His season ended in the second half of Tennessee’s win over Florida in the SEC Tournament quarterfinals, when the Gators’ Omar Payne elbowed him twice in the head, knocking him to the floor and resulting in a concussion and facial fracture.

Fulkerson returns to a loaded roster. Even though Yves Pons, Keon Johnson, and Jaden Springer have all declared for the NBA Draft, the Vols will add Auburn transfer Justin Powell and a stacked incoming freshman class of five-star forward Brandon Huntley-Hatfield, five-star point guard Kennedy Chandler, four-star center Jonas Aidoo, four-star wing Jahmai Mashack, and three-star guard Quentin Diboundje Eyobo.