Tennessee EDGE Tyler Baron has removed name from transfer portal

The transfer portal truly never sleeps. One day after entering, Tennessee’s Tyler Baron seemed to have a change of heart.

Per On3’s Matt Zenitz, the sophomore has decided against leaving and will spend his junior season in 2022 on Rocky Top.

That is a blow for Kentucky football.

The former top-125 recruit picked the Volunteers over Kentucky and Ohio State on signing day, but a lot has changed in Knoxville since Baron committed to the Big Orange. Former head coach Jeremy Pruitt has been fired and Tennessee has NCAA sanctions coming down the chimney at any moment. Oh, Tyler Baron’s dad has also been relieved of his job within the Tennessee football program.

Score a big win for Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel and defensive coordinator Tim Banks as the Vols were able to hold onto one of the most promising players on the defensive roster.

Next man up

Tyler Baron made a lot of sense for Kentucky. There is no denying that.

The talented front seven player was bit of a tweener for Kentucky’s scheme, but there is no doubt that defensive coordinator Brad White could have found a home for Baron at defensive end or outside linebacker.

Kentucky must now move on and find another player in the transfer portal that can help the Wildcats in 2022. At EDGE, Kentucky currently has just three scholarship players. Getting Jordan Wright back for a super senior season would be a plus. However, this position likely needs to be addressed at some point over the next few months.

On the line of scrimmage, Darrion Henry-Young was another blue-chip prospect Kentucky recruited in the class of 2020. The Cincinnati Princeton product eventually ended up at Ohio State but has decided to leave Columbus after just two seasons.

Don’t be surprised if Henry-Young becomes an option for Kentucky very soon. Roster building never stops in college football.