| | Associated Press
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- Sophomore center Greg Barnum, a projected starter for Tennessee next fall, has told coach Phillip Fulmer he wants to transfer to a school closer to his home in Texas.
"I think he's basically homesick," Fulmer said. "I hate it for him and I hate it for us. This came as a shock to me."
Barnum becomes the third Texan to quit the Vols since the end of the 1999 season, and the sixth Tennessee player from Texas to transfer since 1994.
Fulmer announced Thursday that the 6-foot-1, 300-pound Barnum plans to leave at the end of the spring semester. Where he might transfer was unknown.
The Killeen, Texas, native was one of the country's top-rated centers in high school. He played five games for the Vols last season as a true freshman.
Quarterback A.J. Suggs, who was in Barnum's signing class, was mystified by the move.
"Greg had a really good spring and he had put himself in a good position," Suggs told The Knoxville News-Sentinel. "I mean, how could you not want to take advantage of such a good situation at a place like Tennessee?"
"He just kept saying that he wasn't happy at Tennessee and felt like he would be happier in Texas," his mother Reta Barnum told The Tennessean. "I don't really think football was a problem for Greg. He loves football. He just didn't want to play it there."
Linebacker Devon Davis, Barnum's roommate and a fellow Texan, announced Monday he was leaving school and returning to his home state. Last winter, offensive tackle Tim Hodges of Winnie, Texas, left school.
Since 1994, three other Texans transferred -- quarterback Branndon Stewart, defensive tackle Brandon Ashley and receiver Courtney Epps.
Fulmer said it wouldn't affect Tennessee recruiting in Texas in the future.
"We're going to go wherever there is talent," he said "That's not going to change."
The Vols have four players from Texas remaining on the roster -- senior punter David Leaverton, cornerback Willie Miles, defensive end Kevin Young and safety Sterling Kazee. | |
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