Former Tennessee linebacker Henry To’o To’o will be returning to Knoxville this weekend for the first time since leaving the program in January of 2021.
The Concord, California native began his Tennessee career in 2019 under then-head coach Jeremy Pruitt. After two seasons with the Volunteers, To’o To’o decided to enter the transfer portal as Tennessee was going through its most recent coaching search. To’o To’o entered the transfer portal exactly one week prior to Josh Heupel being announced as Tennessee’s next head coach.
The former four-star recruit would wind up transferring to Alabama a little over three months later. To’o To’o led Alabama in tackles with 113 in his first season with the Crimson Tide.
After Tennessee’s game in Tuscaloosa last year, though, To’o To’o will now be returning to Knoxville for a game for the first time since his departure.
“Definitely super excited,” To’o To’o said about playing Tennessee this week in a press conference via Alabama. “You guys already know my journey and where I started. So definitely going to be a huge challenge. They’re a great team. It’s going to be a great environment. Super excited about playing in another hostile environment, being able to test who we are as a team.”
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“Just another game on the road for us,” To’o To’o said on Monday. “Big rivalry game, tradition-wise. This tradition runs deep. So, you know, super excited to be able to uphold that tradition and that legacy of Alabama football.”
As a player at Tennessee, To’o To’o was 0-2 against Alabama. The former Tennessee linebacker was also asked about playing in the game from a Vol perspective and how important it was to the fans.
“Like I said, the tradition, we always knew that this was a big game no matter what game it was,” To’o To’o said. “But that tradition never dies. Alabama and Tennessee will always live forever. That will be a game that everybody looks forward to on the third week of October.”
To’o To’o also answered a question asking which fanbase buys into the cigar tradition more.
“I really can’t give you an answer on that,” To’o To’o said. “I ain’t gonna lie. We’re here to play a football game so whatever happens externally with the fans and how they feel about a cigar, that comes with them, you know what I’m saying? We’re here to play a 60-minute football game. Definitely excited about it. They’re a great team. Super excited to play these guys.”
On Tuesday, Tennessee linebacker Aaron Beasley was asked about To’o To’o’s return to Tennessee this weekend. The two spent two years together on Jeremy Pruitt’s roster in 2019 and 2020.
“I wouldn’t say it’s weird,” Beasley said about To’o To’o’s return. “It’s a little abnormal, I guess since he was here for two years, and then now he’s over there. But it’s all love. It’s just how it goes. [College football] is a business, man. So nothing too major.”
No. 6 Tennessee will host No. 3 Alabama this Saturday afternoon at 3:30 p.m. ET in Neyland Stadium.
One Response
Saturday Henry might be 1-3 in this series….GBO!