Austin Price said he was unable to verify Pate's information about the almost hold-out in December.
I think there were negotiations in Dec. Makes sense from a Dec portal perspective
I think Tennessee/Spyre held firm at that time
Subsequent to that my view is that Big Nic decided to shop him around
At some point someone, possibly Lanning, notified Heup and Tennessee what is going on
When Big Nic got with Tennessee sometime during the Spring practice that Tennessee told him to stuff it.
I continue to think that Big Nic had planned for Nico to walkaway yesterday
The on3 article did a few things
It pissed off Big Nic
See his profane response
It pissed of Tennessee, that the private issue became public
Big Nic believes that Tennessee leaked it
I believe they didn't as it would have no benefit to the school or team
Who did?
don't know but my two leading suggestions are
One of the teams that Big Nic had been shopping to and wanted Nico
Somebody else in the Big Nic extended family, which may have been one reason he was so pissed
Where do we go from here?
Bishop will wear jersey #8 this fall
Tennessee will bring in a starter QB from the portal
Whether he starts or Merk starts, who knows, though I tend to lean towards Merk as it seems to take a couple years to learn the system
Nico?
I think it is more likely that he signs for less than more than he was to make this year iin Knoxville
It will be for a team that plays a "pro style" offense, whatever that is
