Marcus Goree Jr. is getting a fresh start-and a new opportunity to make his mark.
After two seasons at Tennessee, the former Bradley Central High School standout has officially transferred to Troy, stepping down from the SEC to the Group of Five in search of more playing time and a bigger role. The Trojans announced his signing on social media Saturday, giving Goree a chance to reset his college football journey.
Goree came to Tennessee with plenty of promise. A three-star recruit out of Chattanooga-area Bradley Central, he was part of a talented high school squad that featured fellow standout Boo Carter.
As a senior in 2023, Goree helped lead Bradley Central to an undefeated regular season and a state semifinal appearance. His stat line that year was impressive: 72 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, a forced fumble, and a kickoff-return touchdown.
That came on the heels of an all-state junior season where he posted 54 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, 11 pass breakups, and two interceptions.
The Vols landed Goree in February 2023, beating out 19 other FBS programs-including five from the SEC. It was a big get at the time, especially for a homegrown player with a versatile skill set and a strong football IQ.
But things never quite clicked for Goree in Knoxville. Despite going through two full offseasons with the program and even participating in Citrus Bowl practices in December 2023, he struggled to find a consistent role on the field.
Over two seasons, Goree appeared in just four games-two in each year-while preserving his redshirt status. He logged a total of 20 defensive snaps and just two on special teams.
His lone tackle came in his freshman debut against Chattanooga. In 2025, he saw brief action in early-season wins over UAB and another non-conference opponent, but didn’t record any additional stats.
Now, Goree heads to Troy, a program that’s been trending upward in the Sun Belt. The Trojans won the East Division this past season and made it to the conference championship game before falling to James Madison. They wrapped up the year with an 8-6 record after a Salute to Veterans Bowl loss to Jacksonville State.
For Goree, this move is about opportunity. Troy has shown it can compete at a high level in the Group of Five, and the door is wide open for a player with Goree’s pedigree to step in and contribute. His high school résumé speaks for itself-he’s a physical, instinctive defensive back with the kind of playmaking ability that could shine in the Sun Belt.
Sometimes, a change of scenery is exactly what a player needs. Goree’s got the tools. Now he’s got a new stage to prove he can still be the difference-maker many thought he’d be coming out of high school.