To say that Tennessee’s secondary room is thinning would be quite the understatement.
Senior safety Tamarion McDonald and junior cornerback De’Shawn Rucker on Monday became the fifth and sixth Volunteers defensive backs to enter the NCAA transfer portal, joining Warren Burrell, Jack Luttrell, Doneiko Slaughter and Brandon Turnage. Burrell announced Sunday night on social media that he was transferring to Georgia Tech.
McDonald, a 6-foot-2, 208-pounder from Whitehaven High in Memphis, played in 42 games for Tennessee and made 24 starts. He compiled 116 career tackles with 8.5 tackles for loss and four interceptions, notching a career-high 10 stops during the 34-20 loss at Alabama on Oct. 21.
Having signed with the Vols in 2020 and played four seasons, McDonald is able to use the extra year of eligibility implemented by the NCAA at the outbreak of the coronavirus. His decision was first reported by 247Sports.com.
Rucker started twice during the 2022 season but played much more sparingly this year. The 6-foot, 190-pounder from Tallahassee, Florida, revealed his decision on X, formerly known as Twitter, and thanked Tennessee’s coaches “for believing in me and giving me the opportunity to compete at one of the highest levels in college football. I will forever be grateful to be a part of something so special.”