Barring a dramatic academic turnaround, Rae Sykes is not expected to be academically eligible to play football for Tennessee in 2007, a source close to his recruitment told the News Sentinel.

The 6-foot-4, 240-pound defensive end from Alcoa High School, who signed with UT in February, isn't expected to meet his core class requirements and is at least three points short of meeting the ACT score he would need to qualify, the source said.

Sykes' grades aren't final until the semester ends this month. He plans to retake his college entrance exam in early June and should know the results approximately three weeks later.

The most likely destination for Sykes is thought to be Coffeyville (Kan.) Community College, where he would be reunited with former Alcoa teammate Dustin Lindsey. Lindsey, who could play linebacker or running back in college, signed with UT in 2006 before academic shortcomings forced him elsewhere.

Lindsey is slated to return to UT in 2008. Sykes could return in 2009. If Sykes improves his academics, he could enter prep school for one or two semesters instead of attending junior college for two years.

Sykes could not be reached for comment.