Former Tennessee defensive lineman Tyler Baron committed to Ole Miss on Saturday afternoon, Baron announced on social media. The former Vol entered the transfer portal on Dec. 8. He’s the second Vol in the transfer portal to pick the Rebels, joining defensive back Tamarion McDonald, who also committed on Saturday. Baron, who played his senior season at Knoxville Catholic High School after transferring from Nashville’s Ensworth School, went through Senior Day prior to Tennessee’s win against Vanderbilt a couple of weeks ago.
The 6-foot-5, 260-pounder, a starting defensive end who also slid inside to defensive tackle in Tennessee’s pass-rush packages, totaled 28 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, six sacks, two pass breakups and one fumble recovery in 12 games for the Vols in 2023. His TFL and sack totals were both career-highs. His 41 quarterback pressures (31 hurries, four hits and six sacks) this season ranked fifth among SEC edge defenders, per Pro Football Focus.
Baron had two sacks in the season opener against Virginia to earn SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week honors and added to his count against Austin Peay, UTSA and Texas A&M. He marked his Senior Day at Neyland with a sack against Vanderbilt as well. Baron had two tackles for loss and returned a fumble for a touchdown against Connecticut, and also had TFLs against Kentucky, Missouri and Georgia. In 48 games at Tennessee, Baron totaled 101 tackles, 27 tackles for loss and 13.5 sacks
