UT Notebook: December 20

Ineligible: Senior running back Jabari Davis’s UT career is over. Davis posted a ‘D’ in a course that is a mandatory requirement for his major. As per SEC rules, Davis will not travel with the team or be eligible to play versus Texas A&M in the Cotton Bowl.

Davis rushed for 34 yards this season after posting 1,212 combined rushing yards in his previous three years at UT. Davis scored 22 touchdowns for the Vols in his career, but only two this season.

Injury Report: As expected, Fulmer said he did not think freshman Erik Ainge will play in the Cotton Bowl. Ainge has been extremely limited in practice only throwing gingerly on the sideline and participating in offense-only team drills with no throwing. Ainge suffered a separated shoulder against Notre Dame on Nov. 6.

Several Vols are expected to return to practice when UT arrives in Dallas. Safety Jason Allen (triceps cut), defensive lineman Turk McBride (wrist), defensive tackle Justin Harrell (ankle), and offensive guard Cody Douglas (foot) are expected back on Dec. 26.

"It feels good," Douglas said of his sprained foot. "It feels like there’s nothing wrong. But I haven’t been running on it. I’ve been resting it. We’ll see when we get down there."

Checklist: Aside from improving UT’s struggling secondary, Fulmer said making improvements in the running game and preparing freshman Brent Schaeffer to play were two of the more important things UT accomplished during Knoxville bowl preparations.

Two Tons: UT’s weight room is on its way to Dallas. The tractor-trailer truck left Monday. UT will ship over 4,000 pounds of steel plates and various workout machines.

Vol Notes: Fulmer said UT planned to hold a scrimmage on Dec. 28 in Dallas? Fulmer said ball security would be a major concern in Dallas because of the long break. Fulmer said that will be addressed by fundamental striping drills?Fulmer said tackling has been a concern all year since two-a-days. "A leopard doesn’t change his spots," Fulmer said.