Former Tennessee defensive end Tyler Baron is staying in the SEC. The Nashville native will play his super senior season at Ole Miss, he announced Saturday afternoon on X.
— Tyler Baron (@Tylerbaron23) December 16, 2023
Baron is coming off the best season of his collegiate career, totaling 28 total tackles, six sacks, two pass breakups and a fumble return for a touchdown in the Vols’ win over UConn. Ironically, it was Baron’s first career touchdown after his fumble recovery return for a touchdown against Ole Miss was controversially taken off the board during the 2021 season.
The defensive end was at least a rotational player for all four years at Tennessee, a part time starter as a sophomore in 2021 and a junior in 2022 before becoming a full-time starter in his senior season. Baron enters his final season of eligibility at Ole Miss with 102 total tackles and 13.5 sacks.
More From RTI: Tennessee Defensive Back Transfers To Arkansas
Baron is the second Tennessee player to announce he’s transferring to Ole Miss on Saturday, joining defensive back Tamarion McDonald.
The duo each entered the transfer portal in the last 10 days and visited Ole Miss together earlier this week. Ten Tennessee players have entered the transfer portal so far this offseason with Baron, McDonald and Doneiko Slaughter (Arkansas) being the only three that had prominent roles on the 2023 Tennessee football team.
Tennessee landed its first transfer commit of the offseason on Friday night when Notre Dame tight end transfer Holden Staes committed to Josh Heupel and his staff. The Vols have also retained a large part of the veteran players on their roster including linebacker Keenan Pili and offensive linemen Cooper Mays, Gerald Mincey and John Campbell Jr.
The Vols do not face Ole Miss and old friend Lane Kiffin in the first season of the 16-team SEC, so neither Baron or McDonald will face their old team barring an unlikely SEC Championship game meeting.
