Tennessee coach Bruce Pearl is in the final stages of a compliance review of suspended redshirt sophomore Tony Passley, but senior Major Wingate will remain suspended from supervised team activities until the start of the fall term.

"There’s a few more things I need to look at and check on with Tony,’’ Pearl said, referring to Passley's academics and off-season conditioning. "I’m hoping to make a final decision on him this week.

"Major Wingate is currently under suspension, but I’m hopeful he can do the things on and off the court to get himself back in good standing in the fall.’’

UT signee Ramar Smith remains caught up in the NCAA Clearinghouse after retaking a standardized test in June. The extension of the Clearinghouse issue will delay Smith’s enrollment at UT until the start of fall term, Aug. 24, assuming he does qualify.

Smith, still home in Detroit, could not be reached for comment. However, sources close to the Vols program said Smith believes he has a qualifying score and expects to be with the team this fall.

Passley, Wingate and Smith would have a significant impact on the team this season.

Passley sat out last season after transferring from Wisconsin-Milwaukee and was suspended March 5 after being arrested with former walk-on Jordan Smith. Passley pled guilt to simple possession of marijuana May 16 and was given a suspended sentence. He was presented with the Hardest Worker Award at the team’s May 12 banquet.

It appears the hard work is paying off; Passley was effective in an unsupervised workout last week, showing athleticism and shooting range while matched with incoming freshman recruit Duke Crews. Passley could give UT valuable minutes as a small forward.

Wingate had a strong showing at the adidas camp in Atlanta earlier this month. According to teammate JaJuan Smith, Wingate overwhelmed incoming freshman power forward Wayne Chism at unsupervised workouts in June.

"I’ve seen ‘Gate do this in the off-season the past two years now,’’ Smith said. "He could be incredible and make himself a top NBA draft pick, especially if he keeps his intensity and focus all year like he did at the end of last season. I think he’s going to do that.’’

Ramar Smith’s absence places a priority on the competition for point guard between returning players Dane Bradshaw, juniors JaJuan Smith and Jordan Howell and incoming freshmen Josh Tabb and Marques Johnson.

Bradshaw and Tabb are sidelined with wrist injuries while Johnson has returned home to Indiana after spending the first term of summer school at UT as a part-time student.

Pearl indicated on an SEC teleconference Monday that Chris Lofton’s off-season focus is getting to the free-throw line more often.

"For as many shots as Chris took last year, he didn’t get to the free-throw line as often as we’d like,’’ Pearl said. "He’s pretty good off the dribble.’’

Pearl also said he’s behind pending NCAA legislation that would limit text messaging to recruits.

"You have to be careful not to do things in excess, and I know they’re looking at trying to regulate that a little bit,’’ he said. "There’s no reason we should be text messaging kids in the middle of the day while they’re in school.

"We try to be aggressive in everything we do, but we definitely don’t overdo it when it comes to that stuff,’’ Pearl said. "I’m trying to recruit a prospect and get them to know about our program and judge us based on what we do and how we do it, as opposed to establishing the closest relationship. I don’t do that.’’

Mike Griffith covers Tennessee men’s basketball.