Well, this is a surprise.

On Thursday afternoon, Tennessee LB Darrin Kirkland Jr. announced on social media that he is transferring. Kirkland, a junior, was expected to compete for a starting LB spot this coming season, and his loss is not only a surprise, but it’s a big one.

“After much prayer, thought, and consideration about what my future holds. I have to (sic) decided to use my last 2 years of eligibility as a graduate transfer to another university to pursue my graduate degree while playing football,” Kirkland wrote on Twitter.

The Indianapolis, Indiana, native has recorded 111 career tackles at Tennessee, and he was an All-SEC freshman team selection in 2015. He sat out this spring after coming off an injury. He missed the 2017 season after missing half of 2016 due to injury.

Kirkland shared the news via Twitter: