Henry To'oTo'o excited to 'uphold legacy of Alabama football' against Tennessee, his former team
Few can better understand the third Saturday in October rivalry between Alabama football and Tennessee than Henry To'oTo'o.
The linebacker played his first two seasons with the Vols before transferring to the Crimson Tide prior to the 2021 season.
To'oTo'o is set to make his return to Neyland Stadium. This will be his first time as an opposing player when No. 1 Alabama (6-0, 3-0 SEC) faces No. 8 Tennessee (5-0, 2-0) on Saturday (2:30 p.m. CT, CBS).
"Big rivalry game tradition wise," To'oTo'o said Monday. "This tradition runs deep. Super excited to be able to uphold that tradition and that legacy of Alabama football."
After To'oTo'o transferred to Alabama, he immediately became the starting Mike linebacker, leading the defense. To'oTo'o finished the season as a member of the All-SEC second team as voted by the coaches. He lead Alabama with 113 tackles. He also had 8.5 tackles for loss and four sacks.
Last season against the Vols, To'oTo'o finished with five tackles in his first matchup against his former team. The Crimson Tide won 52-24 in Tuscaloosa.
He lost twice to Alabama, first 35-13 in 2019 then 48-17 in 2020.
Tennessee has not beaten Alabama since coach Nick Saban arrived in 2007.
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"We always knew this was a big game no matter what game it was," To'oTo'o said of his time facing Alabama. "That tradition never dies. Alabama-Tennessee will always live forever."
Why did he transfer from Tennessee? Saban was at the top of the list.
"Who doesn't want to play for Coach Saban?" To'oTo'o said in September 2021. "And the culture. The guys around here, how they are so eager to win. It's just a blessing for me to be here."
To'oTo'o was one of the top transfers available in the portal before 2021. He had 76 tackles, 10 for loss, in his sophomore season at Tennessee. During his time with the Vols, To'oTo'o started 22 games and played in 23.
Now, he has a chance to add another start to his career in a different uniform in a stadium he knows well.
"Definitely going to be a huge challenge," To'oTo'o said. "They’re a great team. It’s going to be a great environment. Super excited in playing another hostile environment, being able to test who we are as a team."
This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Alabama football linebacker Henry To'oTo'o understands Tennessee rivalry
