Demetrice Morley is trying his best to return to Tennessee’s football team, no matter how remote the chances may be.
The safety, who was dismissed for academic shortcomings in January after two years with the Vols, was in attendance for Saturday night’s scrimmage.
Morley said he has moved back to Miami and is trying to enroll at a community college, although he hasn’t done so yet.
UT coach Phillip Fulmer said he intended to meet with Morley this week but wasn’t able to.
“We would discuss it as a staff,” Fulmer said when asked of the potential that Morley may return.
Morley surely has a long way to go academically and would first have to be accepted by the university. His chances of being re-admitted seem slim at best.
Morley, however, is much more optimistic.
“Pretty good chance,” Morley said of his potential return.
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Comments » 23
snafu14u#241639 writes:
let him walk on. bonzaivol
apark#208735 writes:
If he is contrite and ready to do what the University asks of him, let him back today. We can use his talent on the field. Same with Coker. Put them both on a short leash, watch em like a hawk and let them play.
cgbtn writes:
Morley did absolutely nothing wrong except fail college courses for which he was not prepared. It is a tragedy that high schools will let young men with the football talent Morley has go through high school playing football and getting no education. He ended up buying a high school diploma from a diploma mill. It is unlikely he can, at this stage, prepare himself to study at the college level; but should he do so, he should be welcomed back as a huge success story. On the field, he did everything our coaches asked of him and excelled. His only sin was growing up in an area where a large number of hign school athletes were buying diplomas. Demetrius, I'm still a fan, and I'm cheering for you to make it.
drwfocus writes:
Morely had his shot. There are many others out there that would like the same shot. Is there any chance that some part of the decision to cut him was because of the controversy swirling arond that Miami diploma mill?
thevol writes:
I agree with you 100% cgbtn. His high school teachers and coaches failed him and should be ashamed.
Hunter writes:
It is NOT the teachers' fault - the pressure from coaches and principals is absurd. Some of my colleagues have given failing grades to football players only to have them changed without their consent by administrators. Any administrator who does so should be fired on the spot - no questions asked. Do not blame the teachers...
jlange#632002 writes:
Does UT offer any kind of remedial program for a student like Morley? If he passed the ACT he must have some basic skills. I would think the situation of unprepared student athletes is common not rare.
agentorange writes:
evolution, go down to cvs and refill your meds. you're losing touch with reality.
volfan73120#211815 writes:
evolution, I doubt you spoke with Morley, but more importantly, I believe you made up an out and out lie about Fulmer. He is a First Class human being, regardless of how you feel about him as a coach.
ThurmondEppy writes:
Morley was a playmaker and was like one of the top safety prospects out of HS if I remember correctly. I thought he was a great player for us. There's probably more to the story than we know....I'm all for running a tight ship -- if he didn't go to class at all then that's one thing, but if he needs more academic help then that's another. I know a lots of kids who flunked in and out of school, and they weren't athletes, and they finally got their act together. Sometimes it just takes a dose of reality (like oh phooey, I've screwed up my entire life by failing out) to get a kid back on the right path. I hope they let him back in.
txsvol#372416 writes:
This guy is skilled and smart enough to play in the NFL, but not 'draftable' until next Feb. It doesn't matter how 'contrite' he is, he failed out of school, even with the tutors that the athletic department made available to him! We can't readmit him until he shows academic progress elsewhere. How much can these tutors help him in community college? I don't even think that it is allowed. My guess is that he will use his two additional years at another school, like the Miami Hurricanes, or at a mid-major like Ole Miss, UCF, UAB, or wherever. Go Vols!
vol4jesus writes:
Doctor the meds don't appear to be working...Mr. evilution is hallucinating although he said he was going to go read a book he really stayed on the article to get revved up for more dissertaions on aberrant diatribes on the perplexities of the miniscule propensities to flabbergast ones buds.
shocker0042#634184 writes:
Guys anyone read the article in ESPN mag a couple weeks ago about Miami and the players from surrounding areas? Summarizing about the rough area a local coach spots a "a star player sure NFL prospect who went to a top SEC program but couldnt get his grades". The coach sees him on the corner selling drugs asks him what happened says he couldnt hack it and goes back to slanging rocks. Not sure who it is but smells like Morely to me.
GreerVol22 writes:
The most "assinine" statement came from thevol. Teachers should be ashamed? please. No one seems to be blaming Morley himself. I have many schoolmates and friends that had zero home life, no mother, father, shoes, and in some case lightbulbs, that have gone on to be doctors, run grocery stores, and many other productive lives. Teachers can only provide the means, the kids have to want to learn it for themselves. Yes school admin does some screwey stuff from time to time, but by in large its up to the kid.
hueypilot writes:
Looks like you should spend some time with your books Evol or you'll wind up like Morley. Then you'll have lots of time to connect with all your good friends.
vol4jesus writes:
Lv eeeevolution alone he is reading his book....'Big Bird goes to school' is challenging and will help when the medication soon(hopefully) kicking in . Touchy ...feely kind a guy. Spews it out and runs to the covers(book covers that is).
Its ok eVolution since they let me on they have to let ewe stay on as well.GO VOLS!!! Morley for the record hopefully gets his life together and makes a productive citizen with honest work.
thevol writes:
I agree the kid should be accountable for his own actions(and he was) but the teachers, coaches, and administration let this kid slide through the system because he was a great athelete. The teachers ARE accountable for their students.
vol4jesus writes:
In the words of Dr. Smith from 'Lost In Space',"oh the pain of it all Will my boy." Morley needs to wake up and try to remember what the roses smelled like or as I prefer, wake up and smell the 'ORANGES.'
vol4jesus writes:
eVolution I knew ewe would appreciate me giving ewe a jump start since your batteries might have been getting low in all the heat. If I missed on the book I'm sorry. Was it White Fang instead of Big Bird? Ooops, Ray Bradbury's 'Martian Chronicles.' Or BIG ORANGE MEDIA GUIDE? Have fun more forepower for ya now. hahaha ewe would say.
GreerVol22 writes:
theVol, teachers are accountable, to teach, kids are accountable for learning. My parents have 70+ years in public eduction combined and have never once been asked to lower their standards for an athlete, or even the pricipals daughter. Just like kids who cheat, teachers that cheat work themselves out of the system rather quickly. The fraternity amoung educators is pretty tight and even Fulmer doesn't have that kind of clout.
Volfantm writes:
I read an article somewhere about a former Gator who was kicked off the team, had a drug arrest and was later found dead in his garage which is another possiblity for the ESPN article previously mentioned.
None of us know how hard Morley worked at his classes at UT but a diploma mill high school where in some cases grades were given for no work at all is not adequate preparation. Hope he can overcome his difficulties.
thevol writes:
Greer- I bet if your parents had taught Morley he would still be in college. They would have held him accountable and prepared him correctly. I am saying that HIS teachers slid him through. Most teachers should be commended and are teaching our countries future. Unfortunately Morley did not have these kinds of teachers. Kids cannot do it alone, they need guidance and teaching. Any who, I hope he gets it together and gets his life on track. Now it is all up to him. Go Big Orange!
GreerVol22 writes:
I agree on your last point. its up to him......Hold on..........Whats that honey?...a package from vol4jesus?.....GOOD OLD ROCKY TOP!!!! wow, those glasses feel pretty good there 4jesus! Thanks!!
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