Clark Lea states no Vanderbilt players have approached him about opting out, transferring

It’s not uncommon for players in 2024 to opt out of their teams midway through a season. On more than one occasion this season, players who were once expected to hold key roles for teams are choosing to redshirt and are waiting to enter the transfer portal when the window opens.

According to Vanderbilt head coach Clark Lea, that hasn’t an issues for the Commodores this season.

“No one’s approached me with that,” Lea told reporters on Thursday. “This is college football in 2024. I don’t — I think if you would ask me a couple years ago, I would have probably had some thoughts or judgments on that kind of stuff. I feel like we have to adapt to what the new era is and what kind of the conditions are, and so it’s not that we’re unaware of the potential for those things.

“It’s just not been anything that has come to my attention. We just kind of are charging on.”

Vanderbilt has been in every game they’ve played this season. Defeating Virginia Tech 34-27 in the season opener and following that up with a 55-0 shutout win against Alcorn State — the Commodores appeared to have major momentum heading into SEC play.

They’ve since dropped their next two games, having been upset 36-32 on the road at Georgia State before having their hearts broken in double overtime against No. 7 Missouri on the road. Still, Lea’s group appears to be fired up for what the rest of the season holds.

“I’ve got a locker room full of guys that believe in what we’re doing, and a locker room full of guys that believe in each other,” he continued. “And that doesn’t mean that everyone’s satisfied with, you know, their role. I mean, inevitably, you’re going to deal with those frustrations. And I think dealing with those in 2024 is different than dealing with them in 2021.

“It’s just a different world, but I admire the way those guys that are challenged with their role, or want more, whatever the case may be. I admire the way they’ve maintained alignment with our mission and support their teammates.”

They’ll look to keep that mission going this weekend when they host No. 1 Alabama on Saturday. Looking to pull off the ultimate upset, kickoff is set for 4:15 p.m. ET live on the SEC Network.