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Tennessee Linebacker Opts Out Of Orange Bowl

All-SEC Tennessee
Photo via Andrew Ferguson/ Tennessee Athletics

Tennessee linebacker Jeremy Banks opted out of the Orange Bowl and declared for the 2023 NFL Draft in an Instagram post Saturday night.

“After many prayers, I have decided to begin preparing for the 2023 NFL Draft and will forego the upcoming Orange Bowl,” Banks said in his statement. “I am excited to go to work in this next chapter and am so thankful to be a Tennessee Volunteer for life.”

While Banks was out of eligibility and bound for the NFL Draft, the news that he wouldn’t play against Clemson in the Orange Bowl is new.

Banks started at inside linebacker for Tennessee this season where he was the defense’s emotional leader. After totaling 128 tackles and 5.5 sacks as a junior in 2021, Banks had a statistically disappointing season totaling just 53 tackles as a senior.

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The Memphis, Tennessee native played in 11 games in his final college season but missed the upset loss against South Carolina. Rumors speculated Banks was suspended due to an altercation with teammates. Banks commented on his side of the situation with a social media post while Josh Heupel wouldn’t confirm 0r deny an altercation, only saying “he wasn’t available.”

The three-year starting linebacker had a tumultuous college career. Banks came to Tennessee as a member of Jeremy Pruitt’s first recruiting class where he started his career as a running back. After moving to linebacker in his sophomore season, Banks was arrested and removed from the team.

Pruitt eventually reinstated Banks to the team following the conclusion of the 2019 season and the Volunteer State native started at linebacker for three seasons.

With Banks opting out of the bowl game, linebackers Aaron Beasley and Juwan Mitchell will start for the Vols. Senior Solon Page III and freshman Elijah Herring could also see increased opportunities.

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Comments

10 Responses

  1. I still say the chemistry the team had in the South Carolina game was not the same after Jeremy Banks altercation. should have supported your team to the end but I’m not surprised.

  2. Tennessee made Banks a leader . Already of men on defence. He begins his NFL preparations by finishing what he started going to the bowl game and leading the team that made him what he is. I am disappointed in him he is not the man I thought he was not even close

  3. So it seems like the Vols are going to the Orange Bowl without an offense and without a defense. Hopefully we can score when we have to punt.

  4. Go Vols. To the negative comments, go watch another game. Your lack of confidence is not welcome here. The Vols have players stepping up to finish the job. Great coach, great players, great attitude. Go smoke clemson.

  5. I don’t like how these players can opt out right before a important game , if they have signed up for four years they should have to play the full four years . I wish they would change this rule cause it really does hurt the team .

  6. Is that good kicker at least going to stay and play ? I can’t believe the coach is letting the players leave like that and not play in the bowl game. Unreal. I may not watch Friday night.

  7. I’ve always thought it was pretty sorry to opt out for your last game. Shows what a “team” player you are.

  8. I can understand not wanting to play because of injuries but, in the biggest game of the year you want to sit. Evidently you are not Vols for Life. You are Vols until it is inconvenient for you.Very disappointed in you guys.

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