Auburn football: All For Tennessee in on Vols-Jay Hardy union

Earlier today, the A-Day absence of former Auburn football DT Jay Hardy was finally explained as the Chattanooga, Tennessee product was announced as a departure of Bryan Harsin and Derek Mason’s defense.

It didn’t take long for the vultures to circle.

The Tennessee Volunteers, who was originally an option for the former 4-star, are in a prime position to swoop in on the former McCallie School, are a prime candidate to bring the six-foot-four backfield punisher due to proximity.

That is, if the program would consider a union again after being burned back in 2019 during his original recruitment.

All For Tennessee’s Dean Zulkofske’s pointed out the potential interest, which is fairly coupled with the ingrained skepticism Hardy instilled in Vols fans:

"At 6’3″ 317 pounds with at least three more seasons of collegiate eligibility, Hardy will likely be a top transfer prospect. Tennessee football will be in the mix now that Garner is on staff.But has the ship already sailed on Hardy’s relationship with Rocky Top? Keep in mind, this is a player that reportedly told coaches and other recruits he was committing to the Vols before committing to Auburn."

That, of course, was under the old coaching staff. Jeremy Pruitt and his support staff were of course bagged after one of history’s funniest college football-McDonald’s Happy Meal tie-ins.

Former UCF head coach Josh Heupel is now in tow, and the history between Hardy and those formerly running the ship on Rocky Top may be water under the bridge given the regime change:

"With Josh Heupel now in charge of the UT program, maybe there are no hard feelings. After all, none of the coaches Hardy would’ve had a relationship with on Rocky Top are still in Knoxville. Garner may see to it that Hardy is a player UT could use. The Vols aren’t necessarily deprived of talent on the defensive line, but Hardy’s presence on the roster certainly wouldn’t hurt."

Fly War Eagle wishes the former Auburn football bruiser the best of luck in whatever he chooses next in his career, even if it means a return to the Volunteer state to wear a different shade of orange without any blue.