Tennessee will play Saturday afternoon’s regular-season finale against Vanderbilt and its undetermined bowl game without leading rusher Tiyon Evans.
The 5-foot-11, 220-pound junior from Hartsville, South Carolina, announced Friday morning that he is entering the NCAA transfer portal. Evans hasn’t played since leaving the Nov. 6 victory at Kentucky during the second quarter after sustaining an ankle injury for the second time this season.
“To the Vol Nation, I thank each and every one of you for the undying support that you give,” Evans posted Friday morning on Twitter. “That in itself will last with me forever. I have made some friendships that will last a lifetime, and to all my brothers – love.
“After praying to God and giving myself time to think on what’s best for me and my family, I’ve decided to enter the transfer portal and weigh my options.”
Evans, who also thanked first-year coach Josh Heupel in his message, rushed 81 times for 525 yards (6.5 yards per carry) and six touchdowns for the Volunteers, who are looking to improve to 7-5 at the expense of the Commodores in Neyland Stadium. His most memorable effort transpired during the 62-24 triumph at Missouri on Oct. 2, when a 92-yard touchdown run served as one of his three scores during that unexpected rout that helped launch the Vols to their postseason status.