Tennessee should know by early Friday afternoon if any football players will be academically ineligible for the Outback Bowl on Jan. 1 against Wisconsin in Tampa, Fla.
UT coach Phillip Fulmer said following Thursday morning’s practice that he is concerned about a handful of players.
“There’s a lot of positive things going on academically, but there’s three or four guys, maybe a couple more than that, that I’m concerned about,” he said. “But I don’t know anything for sure until (Friday).”
Fulmer said 36 players finished the fall semester with a 3.0 grade point average or better, making them eligible to be academic All-SEC selections.
Done in Knoxville: UT held its last practice in Knoxville on Thursday morning in the Neyland-Thompson Sports Center.
Fulmer said he was pleased with his team’s preparation, even with the distractions of staff changes.
“They’ve had a good attitude,” Fulmer said. “The only way I know for sure is how they work. You watch tape and there’s a lot of guys flying around trying to get better. That’s a positive.”
The Vols will resume practice Wednesday at the University of Tampa.
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Comments » 48
Volchaz writes:
Whatever number is is, i'm sure a select few posters will blame Fulmer.. :)lol...
Let's go bowling people....
kjneel#238751 writes:
I hope its not Coker!
jdcvols#230433 writes:
Fulmer is responsible. He has staff members that monitor all the players academic progress. If he allowed anyone to play in a game late this fall that was failing in academics then he is MOST certainly responsible.
jhayes1911 writes:
Word from one of my inside sources says: Ricardo Kemp, Bolden, Rico McCoy and drum roll.......Lucas Taylor.
All you have to do is pass 6 hours and you are eligible for the bowl game. The student-athlete has to be accountable for their own actions!
CoverOrange writes:
It is amazing the number of people on this board with "inside sources".
jhayes1911 writes:
WD40-I was told that news at about 130 cst...this guy is on the team...
VolCR-Bolden is headed to the NFL!
jim_bell#606576 writes:
CR,please don't tell us you're leaving or that you might not be eligible to make anymore posts.
jhayes1911 writes:
There were a few that submitted their report to get their grade and he was one of them. Don't know exactly who else but that is what I was told.
Oh and it looks like Adkins might be the top choice for OC. Jay Graham my be the RB coach...
bernardking writes:
I doubt Adkins is the top choice for OC. Jay Graham as RB coach?? Who will coach WRs???
I don't believe Adkins will get it. If you are right, looks like Fulmer never had any plans of looking outside the UT "family". I think and hope you are wrong
tenndave writes:
CPF is not responsible for the student's attendance and or grades. He has a vested interest in their academics obviously, but make no bones about it. No one but the student themselves is ultimately responsible for their academics. It is ashame though that with all the extra encouragement, tutors, monitoring etc, that some can't pass 6 hours but I am tired of hearing it is the coaches fault. This is what is wrong with our society, it is always someone elses fault.
Get Real!
bernardking writes:
I agree tenndave. If a guy can't pass six hours in a semester, then we don't need him. Two frigging classes.
jhayes1911 writes:
bernardking-That is what one of the guys told me today; that Adkins has a good chance. He said that they have been interviewing candidates and Adkins was a choice but maybe not a "top" choice.
He said as of January 2, they will have no offensive coaches as the other two may follow Cutcliffe.
It's going to be interesting!!!
Colliervol writes:
Amen tenndave.
Typical comments from the usual culprits. Blame Fulmer for global warming. These players get every academic benefit imaginable from tutors to designated note takers if they need it. And you're telling me it's Fulmer's fault that they can't pass 6 hours of Basket Weaving and Underwater BB Stacking. Please.
Once again, the agenda comes to the surface and, therefore, disqualifies many of you from being taken seriously. You can definitely criticize Fulmer for certain things but this isn't one of them.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Could we use any of the Seminoles tutors? I hear they're interactive.
movol77 writes:
I have a deep insight for you on who is responsible for passing or failing grades. The STUDENT! Duh huh!
movol77 writes:
That's funny Colliervol. They say that 1/3rd of global warming is attributed to bovine flatulence. What % do suppose whining whoopee accounts for?
TommyJack writes:
Colliervol: Of course it would be silly to blame CPF for global warming. He may, however, play a part in the shifting of the continental shelf.
movol77 writes:
Hey, did you hear that are coach is fat? HA, HA, HA!
He even lieks donuts! HA, HA, HA!
And guess whut? He dranks koolaid!! HA, HA, HA!
I'm thinkin 'bout a carear in jokin! Whatcha thank?
skyhawk836 writes:
Touchdown TN leads the SEC in trashed posts.
DooleyNoted writes:
ESPN just reported it is McCoy and Bolden. Good job guys. Did anyone ever tell them the % of college players that make it to the NFL? Wisconsin is salivating about how many yards they are going to rush on us. Think Nebraska in the '97 Orange Bowl.
BigOrangeJeff writes:
Hey jhayes,
If all of your inside info is incorrect, will you issue a retraction?
dvols writes:
agree mt with the nebraska comment. i would rather major in an nfl contract than english. i'm sure we are the same as all sec schools with players with bad grades. hell, i had a few. hard to compete with 7th year seniors on the o and d lines!
McIntireIMP writes:
How did espn get the info before the knoxville guys?
justingh1 writes:
chris low
etvolfan writes:
All you need is 6 lousy hours and they can't do that? Called personal responsibility young men. Try it sometime. Bolden isn't that good. Come back and get your degree or you will be bagging can goods at Krogers.
VOLinDAWGland writes:
Finally TDTN's juvenile and discusting phooey is deleted...I hope it continues.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
volindawgland - aah, don't be so hard on ole' TDTN. Not many of us are perfect.
dogboy writes:
Demonte, I think it's funny how upset you were at Erik for having a bad game, but atleast he does what it takes to get on the field and play.
jdcvols#230433 writes:
tenndave and colliervol. CPF is absolutely responsible for this. He continued to play these guys in Nov knowing FULL well they were not holding up their end academically. The monitors on the staff know every grade of every test/paper and this is reviewed by the coaching staff. If he would have taken action action earlier then there would be no surprises. You guys are so blinded by the kool-aid over CPF.
vscebail#247785 writes:
skyhawk836 & volinDAWGland, I agree... TDTN is probably the most negative person to ever post on this site. He will never be satisfied with anything that our beloved VOLS do. I will sit back now and wait for one of his childish insults....
movol77 writes:
jdcvols, let me see if I get your rationale...CPF should have gone to the players and said, "guys, you're not playing anymore until your grades improve otherwise you're not going to play next semester either."
Either way, their playing days are shortened. But which should they choose? Either they don't play in ARKANSAS, KENTUCKY AND SEC CHAMPIONSHIP games or else they can't play in our bowl game. Hmm?
And perhaps they listened to the doomsday false prophets around UT football who said IT'S ALL OVER AT UT and figured what the heck.
Nonetheless, it's the STUDENTS RESPONSIBILITY to seize a free education and make the grade.
Sheepscape writes:
Six hours guys. That's all. Sheesh.
We're getting set up for another unpleasant beatdown in January I fear and the excuses will roll again.
If that's the case five losses does not merit a raise and extension. Hamilton looks amatuerish for announcing things so early.
TommyJack writes:
FREE TDTN!!
jdcvols#230433 writes:
movol77, Yes Sir! They are STUDENT Athletes and therefore are under different standards than regular students. You don't think this is not another blow to the program? I would have them sit out the next game until academic progress is made.
BigOrangeJeff writes:
Don't worry about TDTN. That's just the syphilitic fever eating away at his brain. Anyone that would refer to himself as the "King of Trash" should be pitied rather than reviled.
BOJ
jdcvols#230433 writes:
Sheepscape, you are right. Nothing should have been decided until after the season is over.
cnalumni writes:
If you cant pass 6 hrs, you don't deserve to play. In most cases, if you just show up for class and put in a little effort, you can pass with a C. What is going on over there?
jdcvols#230433 writes:
cnalumni, great question. Some on here don't think CPF has any responsibility for this....amazing.
movol77 writes:
jdcvols, I am sure that these guys were talked to privately about their grades...Like you said, the proctors know everything. I just don't see your approach being a motivation for guys who don't have the motivation to pass just two or three classes a semester. It doesn't work because they don't work.
VOLinDAWGland writes:
TDTN: VolinDoggieland: I got your bone. Fetch.
You wish...you seem to have a strange obsession with all your homosexual related posts.
Good luck with that as well.
jdcvols#230433 writes:
movol77, you would think that after getting your brains (assuming they exist) bashed during practice sessions that would do everything necessary to take it out on Saturdays? Your probably right about the motivation and the lack of effort.
jhayes1911 writes:
BigOrange- He told me what he knew from the meetings yesterday and he got two right. There may be more that come out later today.
waterskier3#226480 writes:
you know CPF knew before the lsu game and they both played so all the fulmer supporters think that's ok but if we post a negative comment about him losing we're wrong...... what's up with that????
bottom line fulmer gets paid to win games and he knows it and that's why those players played because the system allowed him too.. and he used the system...
all i can say vol nation i will be pissed if we get smoked by wisc and all the fat boy supporters come up with excuses for him.... and say he deserved a raise and extension..... that's BS...
adkins will be our OC.. if we're going after clemson for an OC then no interest from anyone good... period........ outside of tn fulmer is a joke............
Colliervol writes:
jdc, I give up. If you don't think this is a case of a "student" needing to take personal responsibility for his failure, I can't help you. These guys get more than ample chance and assistance to pass six hours. If they can't do that, it's on them.
And besides, why should Fulmer do something that no other school is doing? You always see this before the bowl games because that's when they become ineligible. If that's not the way it should be, then they should change the rules to check grades mid-semester. But don't blame Fulmer if he's following the rules that are in place.
jdcvols#230433 writes:
Colliervol, just how many schools have suspended players for the bowl games. All of them?? Some of them? No, BECAUSE someone was watching the flock and taking care of business during the entire semester/quarter for their schools. I have seen maybe 4 schools with academic issues and we are now the 5th...and all you want to do is "hide" behind the rules!!! I give up, continue to drink your CPF autographed cup of Kool-Aid!
jdcvols#230433 writes:
other than the report from ESPN, is there an official announcement somewhere?
Colliervol writes:
Sorry jdc if you can't read and comprehend what I've said for three years. No kool aid here, just being realistic with no agenda. My position on Fulmer and the need for improvement is well known so I'm not wasting time explaining that again. Been saying it since 2005.
What I won't ignore is people piling on just for the sake of doing it. Regarding eligibility, the rules are what they are. If you don't like them, change them. And the team has academic monitors who stay on these guys and they have all the help in the world. If they still can't pass six hours, bottom line, whose fault is that? Rather than talking around it, please simply answer that question.
jdcvols#230433 writes:
I have. It is CPF's and the students fault. The system managed by CPF failed and these students failed as well. I have no agenda either.
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