The Tennessee Volunteers landed one of the intriguing wideouts in the transfer portal in WR Chris Brazzell II. Brazell came to Tennessee in January from Tulane with three years of eligibility remaining.
The talented redshirt sophomore already provided some flashes earlier in spring practice of what can do on the field.
Coming soon to a stadium near you. @nico_iamaleava8 @Chris_Brazzell7#GBO pic.twitter.com/kKsEYpHWEA
— Tennessee Football (@Vol_Football) March 20, 2024
So, what were the factors in landing the talented wideout in the portal? According to Brazzell himself on Wednesday, the man throwing him the ball - and the stability of the QB position - had a lot to do with his decision.
"When Nico - he's got like four years left, three years left - most places the quarterback either left or they have one more year of eligibility," Brazzell said. "So, coming here, feeling comfortable with the quarterback, knowing he's going to be here if it takes me two or three years was a big factor in that."
It obviously makes a lot of sense for players looking for better opportunities elsewhere to want to step into more stable situations. Ergo, the grass being greener on the other side, and all that.
But Iamaleava is a player that will draw a lot of interest in players wanting to come play alongside him. George MacIntyre, the Vols' heralded 2025 quarterback commitment out of Brentwood Academy in Nashville, also seems to be generating interest in Tennessee among uncommitted recruits.
Players want to come play with great players. And players also want to come to stable situations. That clearly is the case for Tennessee and its offense heading into 2024.
And if Iamaleava can follow up his encouraging performance in the Citrus Bowl with a solid showing this fall, then the sky could be the limit for Tennessee's portal - and high school - recruiting opportunities in the coming years.
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