Tennessee senior safety Jaylen “Tank” McCollough is hinting at a major announcement regarding the 2023 football season.
After spending four years in Knoxville, McCollough looks to be set to return to the Tennessee football team for one final season in 2023. McCollough made the announcement via a long Instagram post on Friday.
“When I committed to this University, I made a decision to give my ALL for Tennessee,” McCollough wrote. “I came here fully on a mission to leave a LEGACY bigger than just myself, to create opportunities and open doors for the ones after me. Never fold or wavier on the goals or promises you set for yourself. Thank God I’m not the same person I was 4 years ago. Thank God for amazing opportunities and the people in my life. With that being said, it’s still 1 more degree and 2 championships that I set out to achieve once I came here. Let’s go get them.”
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McCollough first arrived to the Tennessee program before the 2019 season and wound up starting the final six games that saw Tennessee go 6-0. McCollough played in all 13 games during his freshman season and parlayed that into starting eight of the ten games during his sophomore season in the shortened 2020 COVID year.
McCollough burst back onto the scene during the 2021 season by starting all 13 games and led the Volunteers with three interceptions on the season – which also landed him tied for No. 5 in the SEC in that category.
The Austell, Georgia native finished the 2022 regular season tied with the fourth-most tackles (51) on the Tennessee team in 10 games played.
After McCollough made his announcement on Instagram, a handful of his fellow defensive backs (Christian Harrison, Cheyenne Labruzza, Jourdan Thomas, and Trevon Flowers) commented to show their support of the Vols’ soon-to-be fifth-year senior.
McCollough’s full message on his Instagram post:
“The University of Tennessee,
Our time together has been nothing short of amazing. To think just 4 years ago I came into this university focused solely on an athletic career, you taught me that it is so much more to life than just ball. Through my time here I’ve learned to live intentionally, maximize relationships and pass the torch to the ones who look up to you. How you impact and inspire individuals along with how you connect with people will take you places far beyond measure. You’ve taught me that in times of adversity, the true character of a person is on display and man do we have some stories about adversity. But through trial and adversity you’ve shown me that it’s never the trial or the adversity that defines you, but how you respond and grow from it.
From my first college football offer, to my first college degree and everything in between, words can’t describe my gratitude and appreciation for this beautiful university. You allowed me to live my dreams and find myself. You taught me to love others but most importantly love yourself. Rocky Top you have been and always will be “ Home Sweet Home To Me”.
When I committed to this University, I made a decision to give my ALL for Tennessee. I came here fully on a mission to leave a LEGACY bigger than just myself, to create opportunities and open doors for the ones after me. Never fold or wavier on the goals or promises you set for yourself. Thank God I’m not the same person I was 4 years ago. Thank God for amazing opportunities and the people in my life. With that being said, it’s still 1 more degree and 2 championships that I set out to achieve once I came here. Let’s go get them.”
