Tennessee LB Darrin Kirkland announces transfer

    Darrin Kirkland has started 18 games in two seasons for Tennessee. He missed the 2017 season with a knee injury. (Photo by Mike Carlson/Getty Images)

    After missing the 2017 season, Tennessee linebacker Darrin Kirkland is transferring.

    Kirkland will be a graduate transfer so he’ll be eligible at his new school immediately. He’ll be a nice pickup for his new school.


    Kirkland missed the 2017 season after suffering a torn meniscus in preseason practice and took a medical redshirt. He’ll have two seasons to play at his new school.

    When healthy, Kirkland was a key contributor for Tennessee’s defense. He started 10 games at middle linebacker as a freshman and played in all 13 games. He had 66 tackles including 6.5 tackles for loss and also had an interception. As a sophomore he played in eight games and started six, recording 30 tackles and five tackles for loss. He dealt with a high ankle sprain in 2016 and had a hamstring injury in spring practice leading up to his lost 2017 season.

    The Indianapolis native was a four-star recruit in the class of 2015 and the No. 1 prospect in the state of Indiana. 

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    Nick Bromberg is a writer for Yahoo Sports.

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