Heupel's take on players opting out of a bowl!

[PalsPal]

Alontae Taylor declared for the draft on Dec. 1 but Heupel made his first comments on the situation ahead of the Vols' first bowl practice.

"I think for Alontae, I had an opportunity to sit down with him at the back end of it, he's very thoughtful, he took the information, understood potentially where he was slotted, and made a good decision for him," Heupel said. "At the end of the day, you guys have heard me say this, you want to be able to give good concrete information to kids to help them make a really sound decision for themselves. I feel like Alontae did that. We're going to help and support him in every way as he goes through the draft process.

"He's been a great leader from the time he stepped on campus for us," Heupel continued. "For me, he's been a great resource in helping to build the foundation for Tennessee football. A guy that battled through injury the last three weeks of the season and things that not very many people knew. It's an opportunity for him to get back and get healthy before he ends up in that draft process."


Can't argue with that logic! Well, some can and will !

 

[Spurhunter]

I saw an interview with him during the season. He is a well spoken, intelligent kid. I was very impressed. I feel sure he made an informed decision.

I hate to see players bail on their teams and sit out the bowl games, but if I put myself in that position, with $Millions$ on the line, it would be a tough decision.

 

[THEdonkey0515]

A upside to guys like Taylor who will not be back next season setting out a bowl game it gives younger players who will be part of this program next year more practice time with the first team, and more in game experience.

I enjoy bowl games, and I know the players enjoy playing bowl games. But the biggest advantage of a bowl game like the music city bowl for a rebuilding program is the 15 or so extra practices for the younger guys and the extra game experience under there belt.