TAMPA, Fla. — Like a lot of holiday travelers, Tennessee wide receiver Bret Smith had a little trouble with his plane flight.

But the senior’s troubles are more serious than travel problems.

Smith did not take part in the Vols’ first workout in full pads Tuesday afternoon at the University of South Florida and has yet to be ruled academically eligible for No. 17 Tennessee’s Outback Bowl matchup with Penn State here on Monday (11 a.m., TV: ESPN).

UT coach Phillip Fulmer said Smith, who "tried to get a frequent-flyer type pass" for his trip, was bumped from his flight Monday and was expected in Tampa on Tuesday afternoon.

By NCAA rule, academically ineligible players are not allowed to travel with the team to a bowl game.

Whether or not Smith plays will depend on the appeal of a D grade he received in a core course.

Smith, a sociology major, needed to make at least a C, Fulmer said.

"Bret is one that we’re trying to find some things about and make sure he’s 100 percent eligible," Fulmer said, adding that that situation will be cleared up by today. "He’s questioned that, and they’re looking into it."

Smith started three of the Vols’ 12 games and factors heavily in three-receiver sets.

Smith caught 39 passes for 453 yards and five touchdowns this season, third behind starters Robert Meachem and Jayson Swain.

Tennessee’s Tuesday roll-call also was significant because of who did practice.

Tailback LaMarcus Coker returned after missing the Vols’ final five practices in Knoxville before the holiday break.

Outside linebacker Jerod Mayo practiced for the first time since injuring his knee against in the first half of UT’s 39-10 victory over Vanderbilt on Nov. 18

After spending most of UT’s bowl practice to this point in Fulmer’s doghouse for an unspecified reason, Coker will not start against the Nittany Lions, but is expected to play.

"I don’t think he’ll start the game," Fulmer said. "I don’t think that would send the right kind of message right now."

Montario Hardesty has taken the majority of first-team snaps in Coker’s absence, but sophomore Arian Foster also could be an option to start.

Coker led the Vols with 660 yards rushing, and started against Memphis, Georgia, Alabama and Kentucky.

Fulmer said he isn’t concerned with Coker’s missed practices in Knoxville, given how Coker bounced back after missing the South Carolina, LSU and Arkansas games with a sprained MCL.

"He didn’t practice for a couple weeks and played pretty good," Fulmer said. "I expect him to get out here and get in the mix and bust his butt."

Mayo was in full pads and participated in position drills early in the two-hour practice.

Rico McCoy led the Vols in tackles against both Vanderbilt and Kentucky in Mayo’s absence and is considered the starter at outside linebacker.

How the two practice this week will determine who starts against Penn State.

"I don’t have any idea until he (Mayo) gets out here and practices. If he can, he can. If he can’t, Rico’s played well," Fulmer said. "Obviously it affects our depth, but Rico would be the starter anyway. Rico’s played well and Jerod hasn’t been out there in a while. We’ll see how it goes."

Drew Edwards covers University of Tennessee football. He may be reached at 865-342-6274.