Kirk Ferentz saddened by Tyrone Tracy Jr.’s decision to enter transfer portal
IOWA CITY, Iowa – Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz released a statement on Wednesday in response to Tyrone Tracy Jr.’s decision to enter the transfer portal.
Tracy, a fourth-year junior from Camby, Indiana, is the third Iowa receiver to enter the transfer portal since the start of the 2021 season.
“Tyrone is a tremendous person who has made many contributions to the success of our team over the past three seasons,” Kirk Ferentz said. “I am saddened that he made this decision but will be fully supportive of him as he looks for a new opportunity.
“Tyrone is not only a good player but an individual of high character with a great family supporting him. We will miss his energy and leadership in the locker room and on the field.”
Big things were expected from Tracy this season, but it just never happened as he only had 15 catches for 106 yards and one touchdown during the regular season. He also was held without a catch in Iowa’s 42-3 loss to Michigan in the Big Ten Championship game last Saturday in Indianapolis.
In addition to his low productivity, Tracy also lost his starting position to freshman Keagan Johnson.
Tracy joins former Iowa receivers Quavon Matthews and Desmond Hutson in the transfer portal.
Tracy showed star potential as a redshirt freshman when he had 36 receptions for 589 yards and three touchdowns. He had a career-best 130 receiving yards on five catches at Wisconsin in 2019, including a 75-yard touchdown.
His numbers dropped during the Covid-19-shortended 2020 season, and that served as motivation for Tracy heading into this season.
He was among three players that represented Iowa at Big Ten Media Day in late July in Indianapolis, which is near where Tracy grew up.
But the combination of playing for a sputtering offense, having to share time with other receivers and a few dropped passes kept Tracy from being a major contributor.
Tracy was very outspoken during the summer of 2020 after multiple former Iowa black players accused the program of racial disparities.
He helped to unify the team, and was helping to build a new culture.
Tracy described the Iowa culture as being more like a home than a house when talking about the changes that have occurred within the program.
He was thrilled to represent Iowa at Big Ten Media Day, and seemed poised to have a standout season.
But it just didn’t happen, and now Tracy is looking for a fresh start at a new school.
College student-athletes only have so much time to compete, and for Tracy, time is running out.