Alabama football steals star linebacker away from Volunteers

MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - JANUARY 11: Head coach Nick Saban of the Alabama Crimson Tide gives the fans a thumbs up after the College Football Playoff National Championship football game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Hard Rock Stadium on January 11, 2021 in Miami Gardens, Florida. The Alabama Crimson Tide defeated the Ohio State Buckeyes 52-24. (Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images)
MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - JANUARY 11: Head coach Nick Saban of the Alabama Crimson Tide gives the fans a thumbs up after the College Football Playoff National Championship football game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Hard Rock Stadium on January 11, 2021 in Miami Gardens, Florida. The Alabama Crimson Tide defeated the Ohio State Buckeyes 52-24. (Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images) /
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Alabama Football just got a lot better thanks to Nick Saban stealing a defensive star away from the Tennessee Volunteers. 

After two years with the Tennessee football program, linebacker Henry To’o To’o is transferring to the cross-divisional rival Alabama football team.

To’o To’o led the Vols with 76 tackles and 10 for a loss of yardage in his sophomore campaign. The Concord, California native was a former four-star recruit coming out of high school in 2019. While he was also looking at transferring to Ohio State, To’o To’o opted to stay in the SEC to continue to play his college ball. This is a massive pickup for the Crimson Tide and a brutal loss for the Vols.

With To’o To’o transferring to Alabama, the gap widens between the Vols and the Crimson Tide.

Alabama football: Tennessee football star Henry To’o To’o transfers to Tide

There is no other way to look at it other than it being an offseason from hell for the Tennessee football program. While new head coach Josh Heupel might be able to get this thing turned around in a few years, the amount of high-quality players and top recruits fleeing Knoxville is alarming to say the least. Factor in To’o To’o transferring to a traditional rival, and this is totally embarrassing.

To’o To’o will be joining the defending national champions and should command a starting job on this year’s defense. Look for the talented linebacker to be coached up and flourish in his final year or two of college ball. As for Tennessee, the Vols will have to continue to take their lumps as a program this year before Heupel can set in stone what his era of Tennessee football is all about.

With To’o To’o linking up with the Crimson Tide, the best team in the SEC just got even better.

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