Former Vols DB Brandon Turnage explains why he transferred to Ole Miss and makes strong statement about his time at Tennessee

Former Tennessee Vols defensive back Brandon Turnage transferred to Ole Miss earlier this offseason after spending three seasons on Rocky Top.

Turnage, who is from Oxford, spent the first two seasons of his college career at Alabama. He'll be a sixth year senior for the Rebels this fall.

The former Vol totaled 48 tackles, one interception, and three tackles for loss during his time in Knoxville.

During the 2021 season, after totaling 14 tackles against South Carolina, Turnage was named the SEC defensive player of the week.

Earlier this week, Turnage joined Ivey League with Jared Ivey and he explained his decision to transfer to Ole Miss. He also talked about his time with the Vols and the culture he left behind in Knoxville.

(Turnage also discussed committing to Georgia after leaving Alabama...before ultimately changing his mind).

"When I left Alabama, I committed to Georgia," said Turnage. "I ended up leaving Georgia the first day I got there. And there was one day left in the signing period. I didn't sign with Georgia. I did move all my stuff there."

"I really just didn't feel it," continued Turnage. "I really just felt kind of odd in the situation. And then I had like one day left to make a decision. And I visited UTK. I liked the coaching staff -- they were good people. Great people, actually. And I said why not."

As for Turnage's time at Tennessee?

It sounds like it was an incredibly positive experience for the Oxford native.

"My teammates at Tennessee, man, they were phenomenal," said Turnage. "I mean in every aspect. It was just great people all around you in the building. You probably rarely had a bad day around those guys. They were always there in your corner to pick you up if you were feeling down. When it came to football, you had a lot of guys who really love the game of football....just great people all around."

Turnage decided to transfer to Ole Miss in large part so his friends and family could see him play more often (without having to make the lengthy drive from Oxford to Knoxville).

"I've been everywhere and seen a lot of things, and I said why not come home to where I could have more support," explained Turnage. "And my people don't have to drive seven hours -- really 14 [hours] there and back to come and see me play. Why not take a toll off them? And also coming home to play for a coach that I've already had before, Coach (Pete) Golding. He was my defensive coordinator my freshman and sophomore year at Alabama. So a system I'm already familiar with. A place that's at home with my people. There should be no excuse for my people to not be at my games. My friends as well. It was just a perfect situation."

It's been quite a college experience for Turnage. He played for the greatest college football coach of all time in Nick Saban and was part of a national championship team at Alabama in 2020. He then experienced the first three years of the Josh Heupel era at Tennessee, including the Vols' memorable 2022 season. And now he gets to return to his hometown to play for Lane Kiffin and a playoff-caliber Ole Miss squad.

Related: Quote from former Vols OC Alex Golesh helps confirms suspicion about why Josh Heupel is so secretive about his offense