Tennessee is losing a reserve defensive player, but the Vols might be getting a couple of others back before the start of fall drills.

UT coach Phillip Fulmer announced Wednesday that junior tackle LaRon Harris has been dismissed from the team for academic reasons.

"My issue was he was not giving the effort to get himself in good academic standing,'' Fulmer said. "It has been a consistent behavior. We've worked with him and he was not responding.''

Harris, from Kingsbury High School in Memphis, played in eight games last season and made four tackles.

Harris' loss could be offset by the return of junior defensive tackle Matt McGlothin and senior linebacker Nick Wilson, who were suspended following spring drills in 2004 for an undisclosed violation of team rules.

"Matt has done what he needs to do to get himself in good academic standing,'' Fulmer said. "He still needs to pass the physical and the administration needs to approve his return to the program.''

McGlothlin, a 6-0, 280-pounder who came to UT in January 2002 via Fork Union Military Academy, was awarded a scholarship heading into his redshirt freshman season. He played in 13 games in 2003 and made seven tackles.

"If he returns, he'll return without a scholarship,'' Fulmer said. "It's my understanding Nick is planning to return, too, but it's up to him to come see.''

Fulmer said Wilson's return would be based on the same provisions as McGlothlin's: solid academic standing, passing the physical, administrative approval and walk-on status.

Wilson, 6-2, 230, is a former Catholic High School standout who excelled on special teams units for the Vols in 2003 with four tackles in 12 games.

The Vols' defensive line unit is rated tops in the nation heading into the 2005 season by Athlon Magazine.

All-American Jesse Mahelona anchors a defensive tackle rotation that includes Cotton Bowl MVP Justin Harrell, Turk McBride and former Parade All-American Demonte Bolden.

Junior Tony McDaniel was one of the Vols' most-promising players, but McDaniel has been indefinitely suspended since his arrest on felony assault charges in January.

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