Shelley transfers to Tulsa, Barnes gets release from Vols

Sophomore receiver Slick Shelley is transferring to Tulsa, and signee Deshaun Barnes has been released from the national letter of intent he signed in February.

Tennessee announced both moves Friday.

Barnes, a 6-foot-2, 195-pound linebacker/safety out of Lincoln High School in Tallahassee, Fla., told the News Sentinel he asked for and received the release with guidance from his high school coach because he was uncertain if he would qualify academically because of fluctuations in his ACT score.

In its press release, Tennessee said the decision to release Barnes was mutual.

"I just wanted my free release," Barnes said. "There's no hard feelings about that. I love Tennessee. Coach (John) Chavis, Coach (Phillip) Fulmer know that."

Shelley, meanwhile, decided to transfer "to gain more playing opportunities," according to a UT release.

The Fort Smith, Ark., native redshirted in 2005 after appearing in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl. Shelley, a 6-foot-4, 185-pound receiver, ends his UT career without appearing in a game.

Barnes becomes the third member of the 2007 signing class who will not enroll at UT this fall. Alcoa defensive end Rae Sykes and defensive lineman Cory Hall will attend junior college.

Tennessee signed 32 players in February to fill 27 available scholarships. Two signees who enrolled in January count toward the 2006 signing class.

Barnes said he does not have any immediate plans for the fall.

"I don't know," Barnes said. "I'm just going to weigh out my options and see how things go."