The talk around Tennessee for the last few weeks has been mainly in the recruiting department. However, there are a few marquee players that are currently on the Tennessee team that has yet to make a decision, or announcement, regarding their futures.
On Sunday afternoon, quarterback Hendon Hooker was the first big-time name to announce that he would be returning to Tennessee for his super senior season. Then, on Tuesday, Tennessee wide receiver Cedric Tillman gave an update on what his status is heading into the bowl season for next year.
Second-team All-SEC lineman Cade Mays was the next Tennessee player to address his future. While speaking on the Tennessee Prime show on Tuesday night, Mays spoke about that decision and what all is factoring into it.
“I haven’t made a decision,” Mays said on the Tennessee Prime show about his future. “I’m in the middle, 50/50. But I love this school, I love my teammates. I would love to come back and play another year with my brother, but I’ve got a great opportunity to go fulfill a dream and go play at the next level.”
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Mays then went on to talk about the money aspect and why that could play a significant role in determining what his next move will be regarding the 2022 season.
“With those two options, I definitely feel like there could be a NIL deal to supplement what I could make if I went to the NFL,” Mays said on Tuesday night. “So that’s kind of where I am right now in my decision-making process.”
Mays did go on to clarify the amount of money that he is looking to make if he was to return to Tennessee.
“We’re talking where I’m projected so third or fourth round money,” Mays said.
After playing four years of collegiate football (two at Tennessee and two at Georgia), Cade Mays now has the option to enter the NFL Draft and leave Tennessee. On Senior Day this past season, Mays did go through the senior day pregame routine along with his senior teammates like Velus Jones Jr and Matthew Butler.
