| Tennessee Volunteers | |
|---|---|
| Position | Defensive back |
| Class | Senior |
| Personal information | |
| Born | May 6, 2005 Oxford, Mississippi, U.S. |
| Listed height | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) |
| Listed weight | 200 lb (91 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school | Pinson Valley (Pinson, Alabama) |
| College | |
| Stats at ESPN | |
Tarrus "TJ" Metcalf Jr. (born May 6, 2005) is an American college football defensive back for the Tennessee Volunteers. [1] He previously played for the Arkansas Razorbacks and Michigan Wolverines.
The son of Tarrus Metcalf Sr. and Neely Lott Metcalf, Metcalf was born in Oxford, MS, on May 6, 2005. Metcalf attended Pinson Valley High School in Pinson, Alabama, where he played football under former NFL safety Sam Shade. He was rated as a four-star recruit by Rivals and committed to play college football for the Arkansas Razorbacks. [2] Metcalf caught the game-clinching interception for Alabama in the 2022 Alabama v. Mississippi All-Star Game. [3]
Arkansas recruited him as a safety In addition to playing football, Metcalf played basketball(point guard) and competed in track and field (relay sprinter and long jumper).
As a freshman in 2023, Metcalf played all 12 games for Arkansas, recording 15 tackles and a fumble recovery. [4] In week 2 of the 2024 season, he tallied 12 tackles versus Oklahoma State. [5] In week 3, Metcalf had an interception to help the Razorbacks clinch a 37-27 win over UAB. [6] In week 4, he recorded four tackles, two pass deflections, two interceptions, and a forced fumble which prevented a touchdown, as he led the Razorbacks to a 24-14 win over Auburn. [7] [8] For his performance, Metcalf was named the SEC defensive player of the week. [9] Metcalf became the first Razorback with at least two interceptions and a forced fumble in a game since safety Kenoy Kennedy against South Carolina in 1999. [10]
On December 9, 2024, Metcalf announced that he would enter the NCAA transfer portal. [11]
On December 16, 2024, Metcalf transferred to the University of Michigan with his younger brother, Tevis. [12]
During week 2 against Oklahoma, TJ logged his first interception as a Wolverine and made 4 tackles. [13]
Metcalf is the cousin of current Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver, DK Metcalf, and the nephew of DK’s father, former Chicago Bears offensive lineman Terrence Metcalf. [14] His younger brother, Tevis, also played college football at Arkansas before transferring to Michigan with TJ. Both brothers are currently playing together at Tennessee. [15]