Tennessee will be without three starters and six players total for the Outback Bowl against Wisconsin on Jan. 1.
Junior wide receiver Lucas Taylor, junior defensive tackle Demonte’ Bolden and sophomore linebacker Rico McCoy are among those who did not meet NCAA and SEC standards for postseason eligibility, UT announced Friday.
Freshman linebacker Chris Donald, sophomore defensive back Ricardo Kemp and junior wide receiver Kenny O’Neal are also ineligible.
McCoy and Taylor started every game this season. Bolden did not play against Louisiana-Lafayette on Nov. 3 while serving an academic-related suspension, but started all of the others.
Bolden also missed practice this week because of academics.
“We have every resource available through our academic center for academic success by our athletes in all of our sports,” UT coach Phillip Fulmer said in a statement. “In most of these cases, it was simply the student-athlete not being accountable and doing their work.”
Fulmer noted that Taylor, who leads Tennessee with 1,000 yards on 73 catches, would have been eligible under last year’s standards.
“In Lucas’ case, however, he passed enough hours but a new NCAA policy that went into effect this fall made him ineligible,” Fulmer said.
That new policy requires players to pass six hours and receive at least the minimum grade required by their major.
The absence of Bolden and McCoy will certainly be felt against Wisconsin, which ranks second in the Big Ten and 19th nationally with its 201.5 rushing yards per game.
McCoy is UT’s second-leading tackler with 106 total stops, including 4.5 for a loss.
Bolden has 26 tackles, with five for a loss and three sacks.
In Bolden’s absence, senior J.T. Mapu will likely start alongside Dan Williams at tackle.
Denarius Moore, Quintin Hancock and Gerald Jones could all claim Taylor’s spot at wide receiver.
Tennessee could be without two of its starting linebackers if Ryan Karl is unable to play after suffering a chipped bone in his elbow against LSU in the SEC championship game.
Karl missed all seven of UT’s practices in Knoxville but is expected to be available once the Vols begin practice in Tampa on Dec. 26.
Either Ellix Wilson or Dorian Davis could start for McCoy at weakside linebacker.
Donald will likely redshirt, however O’Neal and Kemp saw significant playing time this season.
O’Neal, a junior college transfer, has two catches for 59 yards and a touchdown in 12 games.
Kemp, who had two sacks and an interception against Kentucky, played in all 13 games, primarily in UT’s six-defensive back package and on special teams.
Fulmer said he was pleased with the players who did perform in the classroom.
“I am proud of the young men that did a job well done,” he said. “We had 40 athletes on the Thornton Center honor roll with a 3.0 (grade point average) or better, including 15 that earned a 3.5 or better. I’m also very proud of the 13 graduates this past semester.”
All six players who are academically ineligible will be back at UT when the spring semester begins Jan. 9, which Fulmer called a “bright spot.”
UT played in last year’s Outback Bowl against Penn State without wide receiver Bret Smith, who practiced with the team in Tampa before he was declared academically ineligible.
Drew Edwards covers University of Tennessee football. He may be reached at 865-342-6274.
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Comments » 282
dfreeman writes:
Well, now we'll get a look at some of the younger wideouts!! LOL This just gets worse!! Wonder if this is why we haven't heard much from Chris Donald this year or Kenny O'neal?? Losing Lucas will either really hurt us or force us to come up with creative playcalling because you know they are going to stack the line and MAKE us beat them with the pass!! Not looking good for the home team!!
ayacavone#599056 writes:
I don't think I can handle all the good news lately!
airship writes:
how hard is it to complete six hours of class work? what are these guys doing if they are not going to class?
ZacharyUTK writes:
Go Vols (???)
imnotwithphil writes:
We have an inept coaching staff... which has lead to a pathetic program... looks like the FOOL will keep his excellent bowl record in tact.
Thank you Mike Hamilton and the Philbilly nation. Your "loyalty" to "the program" is really paying dividends.
tennpride writes:
Do other schools have a problem with this? Seems like they are doing something different to make sure their players are eligible. Do the coaches not check in with atleast the starters to see if they are going to make grades for the bowl game.Yeah UT has all the resources available, but be like other SEC schools and take it to the extreem and be checking in on your players constantly or whatever it takes for your players to pass frekin 6 hours. Three starters out will hurt pretty bad on top of all the other distractions.. they better play hard and play with heart unlike last years bowl game. Go Vols
Chainsaw writes:
Personal responsibility folks. Six freaking hours! That's just lack of effort, and not (as TDTN's incredible power of logic would have us believe) the coach's fault.
Sammy_Burklow_IsAMoron writes:
CPF can't go to class or take the tests for these guys. We're not FSU.
Hey TDTN, if one of the players pulls a Travis Henry and knocks some co-eds up are you going to blame that on CPF too? (And drop the whole name calling thing already, it's getting older than you).
HardcoreHottie writes:
What a terrible, terrible post-season this is shaping up to be.
Not pointing blame, it's just the way things played out this year internal and external to the program.
Whether we win or lost the bowl game is irrelevant at this point. Phil and Mike need to show us they can turn this thing around.
Look on the bright side. The entire offensive staff and look of the team will be different next year, and the defensive staff and players will learn to stop the spread. Oh yea, and the players will learn to go to FREAKING CLASS. The program will have turned it around.
The "End of the (insert visual here) Ainge Era" goes out with a blast. Bring back the 90s. Are we talking about the glory days already?
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Dfreeman-dead on. Lucas Taylor is a blow. Rogers will have to really step up. Cruicial drops forcing us to punt will be deadly.
Wisconsin appears to be a team you can't pry the ball away from (look at NCAA time of possession) and we need to make the mot of our opportunities.
Well, lean back, Vol fans and get ready. FSU dropped 20+ players causing that tilt to leave the board. Maybe the good Lord owes us a great effort, maybe not.
ONUV writes:
outermonvolia.com
Volunatic writes:
Doh! Vols!!!
CJVolNMemphis writes:
Snowball effect.......what's next?
MemphVol writes:
Enough already you negative BAFOONS!! It is the students responsibility to go to class and make the grades. And if they see that they need help, it also is the students job to seek out all of the assistance that the university has provided. Yes, the coaching staff can/should provide motivation, but in the end it's all up to the athlete. Hopefully, the kids who are benefitting from this, playing time wise, will take this opportunity and run with it. UT 32 - Wisc. 24. GO VOLS!!!!
DennisVols writes:
It could have been We could have had 25 players getting caught cheating to try and gain academic-eligible status.
Point your fingers at the coaching staff butthat isn't were the fault lies here. These kids have to take responsibilty for their grades. They are given lighter course requirements during the season and tutors are available for all who need them. The cold hard fact is that these 6 did not do what was required of them in order to continue to play football for UT at this time. If someone sits food in front of you and yet you still starve to death who's fault is it anyway?
DennisVols writes:
worse
wyomingvol writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
wyomingvol writes:
Oh, and suspend them all for the first game next season.
AlpharettaVol writes:
These guys will be a "bright spot" in the spring? Right now they are nothing but grief to the program. I hope the coaching staff makes them check in every day and give them an update twice a week. If they act like babies then they need to be treated as such. If they can't take care of the bare minimum of their scholastic requirements, then maybe the program would be better off with guys who can. Somebody needs to crack the whip on these guys!
DenmarkVol_aka_Mbumburu writes:
I just doubled my bet for the Outhouse Bowl. I have Wisconsin now by at least 14.
No way on the Lord's green earth we win this game.
Not a bad idea to just play all the 2s and 3s. Let them get a taste of smashmouth football.
scvols writes:
Thank goodness we have a leader like Fulmer to lead us through this rough time. I hope UW is ready, because these guys are going to give out some pain to get over some pain.
DooleyNoted writes:
Music Appreciation 101
+ Health 101
-------------------
6 hours of class time
Do these guys not know the % of college athletes that make it to the NFL? We are the laughing stock of the SEC. If not for Florida St. it would be the entire NCAA. Kick them all off the team and get some guys in here that take college seriously.
1955_Vol writes:
TDTN/imnotwithphil...did you guys go and follow your kids to HS to make sure they were in every class in order to graduate? At some point these "young" men have to step up and go to class and pass course work themselves without a coach having to wipe or whip their butts to do so. They have it made. Guys younger than them are dying in Iraq for your right to blame everyone else but them. Reality check guys.
invisiblekid writes:
Two questions: I wonder if this will make the director's cut of the highlights dvd and do they get to keep the iPods?
JaxVol writes:
TDTN,
Your FOOLmer comments and mindless ranting equals a third grader's mentality. And you blame Fulmer for everything but the war in Iraq and global warming. Oh, yeah, in your mind, (what's left of it) that's his fault, too.
But, after all, you are an old man. Maybe you need someone to wipe your drool off the keyboard after your mean, hateful comments. Altzheimer's maybe? Stay off the board, old man, with your hateful, idiotic name calling of Fulmer.
Go back to your coffee at McDonald's with all the other old coots that sit on their hands at the games.
Colliervol writes:
Memphvol said it well. It's the players' fault and NOBODY elses. Anybody blaming anybody but them is just plain wrong. Lesson to be learned here: PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY. Something a lot of folks have forgotten about. It's always somebody elses fault.
They have academic advisors who constantly monitor this and, as noted before, tutors and designated note takers if they need them. If you can't pass six hours, you don't need to be wasting space up there anyway.
Not great timing but the other players have to step up. Life goes on.
hglover40#234154 writes:
No way. No way. We'll never win. You losers always predict the end of the world. Arkansas was going to kill us so was everyone. The same FOOLs who are predicting doom now said we'd be lucky to make it to 6-6.
YOU losers are the FOOLs.
Coach Fulmer is more successful than any of you losers.
LOSERS LOSERS LOSERS LOSERS.
Have nothing to do but put down "their" team.
LOSERS LOSERS LOSERS.
southernACmavs writes:
Where was the DEAN of SEC coaches at? In high school coaches track grades.. In Midd School same..WHAT IS GONING ON OVER ON THE HILL??????????Phils program is OUT OF CONTROLL. WAKE UP SHEEP.. YOU ARE KILLING OUT FOOTBALL PROGRAM YES YOU!!!! make excuses for The Dean, give him a raise, Call the EAST a championship, cant you see this program is slipping futher and futher FOR GOODNESS SAKE WAKE UPP
southernACmavs writes:
DAA DA DAT DA DAT DA DA DA DA
southernACmavs writes:
weees workeenn like heck pawww
southernACmavs writes:
IS OUR BACKS AGAINST THE WALL YET??????
skyhawk836 writes:
Posted by southernACmavs on December 21, 2007 at 5:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Where was the DEAN of SEC coaches at? In high school coaches track grades.. In Midd School same..WHAT IS GONING ON OVER ON THE HILL??????????Phils program is OUT OF CONTROLL. WAKE UP SHEEP.. YOU ARE KILLING OUT FOOTBALL PROGRAM YES YOU!!!! make excuses for The Dean, give him a raise, Call the EAST a championship, cant you see this program is slipping futher and futher FOR GOODNESS SAKE WAKE UPP
-----
Coaches do track grades. Kids still have to make the grades.
BTW, who tracked your English grade, genius?
Colliervol writes:
Somebody's been into the nog a little early today.
bedmagic_23#311856 writes:
It seems that we are always dealing with this come bowl time. People wonder why our bowl record isn't better?? Exhibit A! Maybe Demonte shouldn't call out Ainge after the SEC Championship game when he felt Ainge let the team down, huh??? I'm sure P.J. Hill and Wisconsin's running game appreciates it!
pdhuff#552644 writes:
JAXVOL - Does TDTN bother you? Tell us how you feel.
thesavageorange writes:
These are grown men , not HS kids.Blaming this on CPF is like saying my mom should come down to my work to see if I'm doing a good job.Fulmers not faultless(overall), but this ones not on him.Man I need to call her, and get her to balance my checkbook.
bedmagic_23#311856 writes:
To think, if D. Morley makes it back to the program, we could have 3 starters on defense that have been ineligible at one point or another. I'm sure that makes everyone feel all warm and fuzzy inside.
jeremy writes:
It's all Clinton's fault.
mfisher722002#213805 writes:
Looks like the stage is set for our early January egg laying. Are we even focusing on Wisconsin???? But we'll "work like heck" in the offseason.
etvolfan writes:
Can you say that the program is a little out of control? Laughing stock of the SEC. McCoy and Taylor are pretty good hits but Kenny O'Neal hasn't took a meaninful snap for us all year. Waste of a scholarship.
budrhon writes:
The debacle continues. In the words of Bill Pullman in Aliens, "Games over Man, we're goners",lol.
budd#207344 writes:
Gentlemen, Gentlemen, please tis the holiday season. Let us not attack one another over a game.
If any of these guys are too stupid to take advantage of a free college education then that is their problem. Do I think that CPF and his staff should be walking these guys to class every day? No. We are Tennessee. We have a great tradition, put more people in the pros than anybody else. If we have recruited somebody who will not put in the on field and classroom work to get ahead then screw em. Bring in the next guy.
I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. And for TDTN I hope Santa brings you an ego. You are much too shy lad
skyhawk836 writes:
6 out of 88 failing at the semester makes us a laughingstock?
I hope some of you moaners hold yourselves to the same standard that you hold the world to.
jim_bell#606576 writes:
TDTN, As I said before, you need to touchdown some other place. Fulmer doesn't teach these classes. As stated in article, they have every resource available to be successful.
skyhawk836 writes:
I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. And for TDTN I hope Santa brings you an ego. You are much too shy lad
--------
I hope he brings him a new box of Depends. He soils his every single day over some imagined Fulmer faux pas.
zqvol writes:
Skyhawk - there are probably more than 88 by the time you count the walkons, etc.
Anyone who would attempt to blame this on the coaching staff is not being rational. These kids and in fact most of today's students have every opportunity to be successful in school.
It is not that much to ask to pass 6 hours in your course of study.
If you want to blame someone start with the admissions office for ever letting them in school. Then put some blame on their parents. How many of you have kids in school at UT or some other university? Aren't you on them all the time to study, even if they are good students? Of course you are because you are parents. While we think of these kids as athletes they are still kids and the parents need to be all over them so that what happens football related is mild compared to what happens at home. What a waste of time and squandered opportunities.
To anyone blaming the coaching staff the rest of us understand your agenda. You want the entire staff changed. Mike Hamilton has given you the answer, it is not going to happen any time soon.
utfpmd writes:
These kids are a bunch of absolute lazy bums if they cannot pass the minimum needed to stay eligible. Losers off the field will be losers on the field. Give me a break.
TopperVol75 writes:
GO VOLS (to class that is!!)
VOLinDAWGland writes:
What's really disturbing about this is if we were playing for something much bigger like the NCS and we lost these starters...these kids have got to understand the potential ramifications and learn responsibility. Better they learn it with the Outback bowl than a BCS/NCS.
TDTN_IS_A_GRUMPY_SOB writes:
For Christmas I asked for and received a new logon to GoVolsExtra to let a certain someone know how I feel about them. Thanks Santa! Go Vols!
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