Ole Miss is bringing one back home to Oxford who has had a winding road since he left town several years ago. Tennessee veteran defensive back Brandon Turnage announced Friday evening via Twitter that he has committed to play his final year in the Red and Blue of Ole Miss. Turnage transferred to Tennessee from Alabama where he signed after a standout prep career at Lafayette High School in Oxford.

It is believed Turnage will sign an NIL deal with the Grove Collective, which will allow him to walk-on onto the Ole Miss roster.

Turnage began his career at Alabama and played two seasons with the Crimson Tide before joining the Vols in 2021 and playing the past three seasons on Rocky Top. he will have one season remaining to play at Ole Miss.

Interesting part about NIL allowing him to be a walk on.  I have never thought about that but I guess NIL allows everyone on the team to potentially be a “scholarship” player.  Teams that can afford the NIL cost can potentially have an extra 15-20 (?) scholarship caliber players on the roster.

NIL has made college football a semi-pro league.  There is no commitment to a team, its a commitment to the dollar.  It is good Ole Miss has jumped on the NIL wagon and has a good collective.  Rebel fans can only hope the trend continues.