Saban Lauds Transfer Linebacker To’o To’o

"A fine young man, who is a very intelligent and very instinctive player, very conscientious, wants to know everything about not only what he does but everybody on the defense."

These were just a few of the praises head coach Nick Saban gave to Tennessee linebacker transfer Henry To'o To'o at Wednesday's SEC Media Day press conference. To'o To'o was ranked by 247Sports as the top-ranked transfer player in college football for the upcoming season and confirmed he would be leaving Knoxville to join the Crimson Tide in May. He is immediately eligible and is expected to start beside Christian Harris, certainly a stacked linebacking core on paper.

To'o To'o was very productive in his two years at Tennesee and was described by teammates as not only a great player, but a great person and a leader. Last season, he led the Volunteers in tackles, recording 76 tackles, as well as a sack and a pick-six.

Saban called To'o To'o one of the best defensive players in the conference, as well as a leader and a kind of "signal-caller quarterback" who can make sure the defense is running confidently and smoothly, including being very productive himself.

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"[He can bring] a lot of positive qualities," Saban said.

To'o To'o was recruited by Alabama out of high school in California, but ultimately chose the division rival Volunteers. Now, he will get to look forward to facing them while wearing Crimson this upcoming Third Saturday in October.