JT Shrout pens letter to Tennessee after entering transfer portal

Redshirt-sophomore J.T. Shrout announced his intentions to transfer just a few days after Tennessee’s loss to No. 5 Texas A&M in the Vols’ final game of the 2020 season. He thanked Tennessee on Twitter shortly after it was reported that he was in the transfer portal.

“I would like to thank (Vol Nation) for all you love and support,” Shrout wrote. “You truly are the greatest fan base in college football. Playing in Neyland Stadium in front of you all has been one of the greatest experiences I have had so far in my life.

“I would like to thank Coach Pruitt and his staff for giving this California kid a chance to play football for this amazing University and compete in the SEC. I would also like to thank Coach Chaney and Coach Weinke for developing me the past two years into not only the best possible football player I can be, but also the best man I can be.

“Than you Dr. Klenck, Jeronimo Boche, and all the athletic trainers who have helped me stay healthy. Thank you to the Thorton staff members who have helped me grow and succeed in the classroom.

“To my past and current teammates, I love and appreciate you guys, I will miss every one of you. You guys have become my brothers. I wouldn’t have wanted to shed the blood, sweat, and tears with anyone else. Thank you for the great memories we have made together on and off the field. I will cherish them for the rest of my life.

“After a lot of thought and prayer, I have decided to enter the transfer portal and explore all of my options moving forward for the next three years.”

Thank you Tennessee! pic.twitter.com/ZwIkCjSHlP

— JT Shrout (@JT_Shrout12) December 22, 2020

Shrout appeared in four games this season and completed 24-of-42 passes for 315 yards, four touchdowns and three interceptions. The California native split time with true freshman quarterback Harrison Bailey over the final three games of the season once Tennessee moved on from Jarrett Guarantano.

Shrout appeared in eight games during his career as a Vol and started just one game after redshirting as a true freshman in 2018. He finishes his Tennessee career 37-of-69 for 494 yards, five touchdowns and three interceptions.

Tennessee’s quarterback room currently has two quarterbacks remaining following the news that Shrout intends to transfer. Guarantano entered his named into the transfer portal shortly following Tennessee’s season-ending loss to No. 5 Texas A&M this past Saturday.

The Vols signed one quarterback during the early signing period in four-star dual-threat Kaidon Salter from Cedar Hill, Texas. Salter will enroll early with the Vols and be here for spring practice after signing during the early signing period.

Tennessee finished with a record of 3-7 in 2020, Jeremy Pruitt’s third season as head coach. The Vols were scheduled to finish the season with a game against West Virginia in the Liberty Bowl, but the program had to withdraw due to COVID-19 issues within the UT program.