The beginning of football practice is always a time for optimism. It's doubly so for Tennessee tight end Brandon Warren.
When Tennessee took the field for its first fall practice Saturday afternoon, the former Class 2A Mr. Football from Alcoa High School was all decked out for his first formal practice of any kind since leaving Florida State after earning freshman All-America honors in 2006.
Talking to the media en masse for the first time since returning home in February 2007, Warren expressed hope that he'll be eligible for the season opener Sept. 1 at UCLA.
For that to happen, he needs to win a hardship appeal to the NCAA and SEC, which were both filed shortly after he enrolled at UT in early June.
"I'm just being patient right now," Warren said in Neyland Stadium. "When they come to a decision, I'm sure I'll be pretty excited. I've got a pretty good feeling about it. It's a process I've got to go through, just wait my turn."
It's already been a long wait.
Warren left FSU in February 2007 and spent the rest of the semester at home with his mother Deirdre, who has continued health issues since battling cancer in 2005. He enrolled at Pellissippi State Technical Community College last summer, all while trying to unravel the red tape keeping him from getting back on the football field.
Florida State denied Warren's initial request for a release and a subsequent appeal to a faculty committee, however the NCAA's eligibility center granted his release last November. But the wait continues on his most recent appeals, which relate to his failure to make sufficient progress toward a degree by leaving FSU early and not completing the NCAA's year-in-residency requirement as a freshman.
UT coach Phillip Fulmer expressed his frustration with the SEC's delay in making a decision, which could come any day.
"Apparently the (SEC) commissioner is up to his neck and eyeballs in working with the TV contracts and so on, and we just have not gotten an answer back, which I think is long overdue," Fulmer said.
Despite the delay, Fulmer is optimistic that Warren will win the appeal.
"To me it's an absolute no-brainer," Fulmer said. "He's done all he needs to do. He certainly had a very legitimate reason to choose to transfer with his mother's illness. I just don't see how it doesn't work out. But I never fully understand everything that administrators do sometimes."
Warren was a little confused by Florida State's efforts to block his transfer, noting Saturday that the Seminoles' coaching staff knew his mother's situation and had even sent get-well wishes to his mother during his time at FSU.
"It wasn't like I just up and just (left)," Warren said. "I wanted to meet with (Florida State coach Bobby Bowden) and talk with him and let him know how I felt. He told me that they weren't going to let me go, no matter what I did.
"It was just a crazy situation. With them knowing everything about everything, it just kind of took me by surprise a little bit. Coach Bowden is supposed to be a Christian man and all that. I didn't really understand it."
One player who understands what Warren's been through is safety Demetrice Morley, who became fast friends after attending Pellissippi State at the same time.
"I hope everything comes through, everything works out for him," said Morley, who rejoined the Vols in January after a year at Pellissippi spent earning readmission to UT. "If he gets that chance and opportunity, he's going to do well. It's going to be tough for some guys to handle that load right there, man."
Despite the twists and turns - and uncertainty about his eligibility - Warren is clearly happy to be closer to home. And he wishes he'd followed his mother's advice and chosen Tennessee the first time around.
"Momma knows best, definitely," he said. "You should always go with your first instinct. I should have. But I'm here now, and I couldn't be happier. I love my teammates. I'm just in a good situation here."
Drew Edwards covers University of Tennessee football. He may be reached at 865-342-6274.
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Comments » 34
TommyJack writes:
Hang in there, brother.
burntorangeVOLffle writes:
You have to think the way FSU and Coach Bowden handled this was a major PR blow. I could definitely se this effecting their recruiting.
BSweet writes:
Nailed it on the head, Brandon! Momma is always right, whether you like it or not, lol.
Dang commish, I would think a kid's future a little more important than a TV contract. We are the SEC. The TV thing will work itself out. This kid needs an answer NOW! Stop dragging your feet!
tngivem6 writes:
When Warren finally makes it on the field, wonder if they will put him at DE or TE?.
either way the kid can play.
I remember seeing him announce his decision on the Locker Room Show and the hosts were shocked he picked FSU..
UT has really created a family with this years team..
BornNBredAVol writes:
played against this guy in football 2x a year whilst at CAK, he was an incredible athlete, great young man, and a very good football player, i expect great things from him at UT, never thought i'd say this to an alcoa player but good luck brandon
txsvol#372416 writes:
It's time for St. Bobby to do the right thing and release Brandon; otherwise, I might have to do the unthinkable, and pull for the hated Gators when they play Free Shoes U! Go Vols! SAVol
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Gen W, I remember when you finally won your appeal to get Dupree out of the 5th grade. The school board finally agreed 3 years was enuf.
Good luck, Warren.
TommyJack writes:
txsvol: Let's not go overboard, Doc. :)
chrisw2967 writes:
Bowden didnt want to let him go because he was the best player they had on off.
but Bowden should have given him his release just for the simple fact his mom was sick with cancer. but when a person has a heart , he does but when he doesnt (Bowden) his a complete arse
FWBVol writes:
txsvol, FSU and Bobby Bowden are no longer in the equation. The issue now is Brandon only completed one full semester of academic work at FSU and that becomes a SEC and NCAA issue.
I like CPF's little dig at the SEC about TV contracts. It seems like he is still steaming from the incident in Birmingham and is ready to beat up on some people.
LargeOrange writes:
I was always a Bobby Bowden fan until this happened a year or so ago, Branden not only had a mother with cancer, I think his brother had issues and may have died, I am not sure, but for CBB and the NCAA to block this kid from coming home to be close to his family is beyond me. They need to get a grip on reality and as Phil inferred, need to stop worrying about the big TV bucks and start thing about the student-athletes they claim to care about.
budd#207344 writes:
This just goes to show the real Bowden. The ole SOB has always taken the easy way out and hidden behind his good ole boy image. He is as bad as they come. Dadgum it.
Slive is a slimeball and does not like UT.
So nothing he does to screw us surprises me.
newtonrail writes:
A Big part of the problem is he should have stayed at FSU through the Spring Semester, and he would be eligible right now. Only he and his mother know whether it was critical he come home in Jan or May. I certainly don't. Good luck.
CoverOrange writes:
I thought Slive had ties to UT in his past.
Excellent article Drew. Now could you go investigate the Gerald Williams case. Mike Strange didn't seem to want to.
chrisdoc#512200 writes:
I love how everyone, including the reporter and Brandon Warren, just pretend like they just can't, golly gee, understand what happened at FSU. Come on, tell us exactly what his mother's condition was when he left FSU (remember: not transferred - just left in the middle of the semester; that's why he's being held up by the NCAA), not what it was at some point before, including when he signed with FSU. Tell us about the timing of when Warren left - one week after signing day, after he had led coaches to believe he was staying (think the coaches might have felt like he needed to live up to commitment - or at least have let them know so they can sign his replacement?). You don't have to get into the other stuff that's out there about shadiness, but you should just tell us the facts, not spin it like you just can't possibly figure out what is blatantly obvious.
smokey90 writes:
Bowden should be ashamed.
beachvol1 writes:
Bobby Bowden isn't on this NCAA committee is he???
orangebloodgmc writes:
I used to like Bowden and FSU, but not any more. Glad you are back home, Brandon.
CoverOrange writes:
BS, Chrisdoc. Warren talked to FSU coaches the previous fall. He was told then they wouldn't let him out.
A week after the signing date is better, from a FSU standpoint, than a week before which would have raised a bunch of questions from potential signees.
Further, the NCAA has already released him from his LOI. What's left is about academics and the SEC.
gohawks1 writes:
smokey90 - agreed. Denying Brandon's desire to return home to be closer to his mother at a time like this is unthinkable. I'll never understand that one.
Welcome home, Brandon.
hueypilot writes:
Watch all the gators on this site torch Bowden. He owned their idol, St. Stevie, like, well, like Stevie owned us. I always liked Bobby and don't know why he is being so dad burned hardheaded about this kid.
vol1994 writes:
Yes it is a SEC thing. From what I understand
the SEC commish just recently recieved the Florida State transcripts, etc.........
Don't be surprised it this drags on for two more weeks. Hope i am wrong but......
I like Fulmer's comments though, little fire in his belly stating commish busy with tv contracts...
I think Fulmer has a chip on his shoulders this year and we will all be pleasantly surprise.
I am usually glass half empty when it comes to the VOls preseason but I have a gut feeling we will go 11-1 or 10-2 this year..
Losses being GA and a split b/t FLA or Auburn.
invisiblekid writes:
Playing devil's advocate for Bowden, I don't think it was his decision alone and the current hold up is with the SEC and possibly NCAA. My understanding is he sat out a year which cleared him of any obligation to FSU.
http://www.volunteertv.com/volsfootba...
That being said, I am not naive enough to think that good ol' Bobby couldn't have cashed in a couple of favors with the faculty board.
bobbarbilly writes:
Brandon, my first concern is for your mother. I hope and pray that she is doing better. I know well the effects that cancer can bring into a life and a family and you have responded in the correct way. I am already a fan of yours and I have never seen you play a down.
Secondly, welcome home. Let's git orange and let's git'er done. Go Vols!!!!!!!
chrisdoc#512200 writes:
BS, Turbofan. Nice try though. He walked out in the middle of the night mid-semester - after telling coaches he wasn't leaving. If he was so committed to leaving before then, he could have left before the semester started. And if his story about only leaving to be close to his mother was true, then why on earth would it have hurt FSU recruiting if he left? How on earth do you think him leaving before the semester started would have hurt FSU recruiting? You can try to claim he didn't leave earlier because he didn't get his release, but the problem with that is he, in fact, left without getting his release at the worst possible time for everyone involved (including himself). The reason he's being held up now isn't because of FSU - its because of him leaving in the middle of the semester. The result of his immaturity. I just wish journalists would stop intentionally leaving their heads in the sand. I expect it from fans, but not from journalists.
Volfantm writes:
FYI, here is Chris Low's blog on the Warren and Williams situations.
http://myespn.go.com/blogs/sec/0-1-13...
From this article you can also link to a good interview with Eric Berry - he has 12 yr old twin brothers who are also Vol fans!
ncvol17 writes:
I totally agree with Chrisdoc. This kid ( freshman in college away from home for the 1st time)should not have thought of his mother's illness. It's only cancer, right? He should have thought of FSU, it's coaches, fans, and possible repercussions to their recruiting b4 up and leaving. He should have thought about the SEC looking at his grades b4 worrying about his mother's future right? As we now know, his mothers illness wasn't immediately life threatening, he should have known this as a 19/20 year old right?
I have have had cancer visit my family and I foolishly thought of them b4 my work & community. How selfish I was. I can't believe this young kid also worried about his mother b4 the FSU program & it's fans and coaches feelings.
This kid seems to be a throwback instead of a 'me, me' generation of the 2000's. What a dope..
Boy, my tongue & Cheek hurts..
ctownvol writes:
Saint Bowden refuses to release this kid to go home and look after his sick mother? Not much of a saint if you ask me.
thsvolfan15 writes:
chrisdoc,
U ARE A JERK!!!
Isn't this what tyler smith did? I didnt hear any criticism then!
And why wont they give him an answer? thats ridiculous
murrayvol writes:
Always keep in mind that it's not about the players. It's about the program.
GreenDevilVol writes:
Leaving early was the problem. B W has taken every step necessary to keep himself eligible Sit out a year,kept up his studies via internet,juco or whatever! The SEC has deemed him eligible its now in the NCAA's hands.So come on and get off your sorry aszes and get him on the field.
scvolalum writes:
The semenoles are in the same rut as the Gators. Their coaches don't give a hoot about the well-being of their players. They (and Nick Satan) are all about padding their egos and bank accounts. It'll catch up eventually. I hope there's no other bias aimed at UT--using Warren as collateral damage. Bowden's shallow hardheadedness has caused a fine young athlete a lot of hardship, simply based upon the premise of "If I can't have you, then nobody can." chrisdoc; You just don't get it. Warren isn't an attorney. He's just trying to do best by his mother and to play football. It would be wonderful to kick FSU butt in January, but it's doubtful they'll get past a December bowl game. Shame on you Bobby Bowden. Nice posts ncvol17 and volfantm.
CoverOrange writes:
Chrisdoc, if you read this, I disagree with your assertion that his leaving after NS day was planned that way. For FSU, the bad press of leaving a week after vs bad press a week before is preferable.
Had he left in December (after talking to coaches), I doubt FSU could have recruited a replacement that they weren't already pursueing. NO difference.
Agree that he left at the worst time for himself and FSU in regard to APR. Why the sudden bolt? Maybe a midnight phone call from home weighed on his mind.
Agree with you about the journalists and sand.
RockyTop31174 writes:
Whats lost in this whole thing is the fact that out of that whole class from alcoa he's the only one who has or will make a real impact on a real team. I thought all those kids were supposed to be D-1 ready? Also I've heard there are academic questions involving athletes grades over there. I just hope the N-C Double Azzholes do the right thing and clear the guy. He got all caught the whole Bobby Bowden mystique and jumped the recruiting gun but don't punish the kid anymore, I'm sure when a coach of his tenure sits in momma's living room talking her baby boy up that it gets pretty emotional.
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