UT freshman Pope hurts foot, likely to miss spring drills

Pope, a midterm enrollee from San Diego, wore a protective boot and leaned on crutches Wednesday when the five members of the 2007 Vols' recruiting class already on campus met with the media.

The 6-foot-5, 270-pound Pope said he was awaiting results of an X-ray.

It's the second setback at UT for Pope, who was part of the 2006 recruiting class. He practiced with the team last August but was ruled ineligible by the NCAA Clearinghouse after a question surfaced about his standardized test score.

Defensive tackle Walter Fisher (shoulder) and defensive end Robert Ayres (shoulder) will both miss spring practice after undergoing surgery last month.

Five other Vols had operations but are expected to participate on at least a limited basis.

Spring practice begins Feb. 22 and culminates with the Orange and White game on March 31.