Darris Sawtelle has left Tennessee's football team.
The 6-foot-6, 315-pound offensive lineman made the decision following a meeting with UT first-year coach Lane Kiffin this week.
"It was very polite and very helpful," Sawtelle said Thursday. "It took about three minutes. That changed my life."
Sawtelle said Kiffin told him that he lacked the explosiveness to play in UT's new offensive system. Kiffin suggested that could be a byproduct of surgery to each of his shoulders last summer.
"I feel strong as an ox," said Sawtelle. "It took me a whole season to get them functional again."
Sawtelle, who bench pressed 315 pounds for seven repetitions before spring practice, said he didn't believe the joints affected his play in spring drills.
"For me, none," the sophomore said. "For the coaches, a great deal."
Sawtelle, however, did say he was a bit hesitant at times as he became more comfortable with his shoulders. Sawtelle had his left shoulder worked on in June and his right in July.
Sawtelle joins offensive guard Donald Langley, safety Demetrice Morley, tailback Lennon Creer, receiver E.J. Abrams-Ward and offensive linemen Preston Bailey, Ramone Johnson and Darius Myers as players from last season who either left the program or were dismissed.
Sawtelle was one of the top offensive tackle prospects in the nation when he signed with UT out of Brother Rice High School in Birmingham, Mich.
Sawtelle started spring practice as UT's second-team right guard then fell to third team and was essentially "off the depth chart" when he became concerned.
Sawtelle said Kiffin promised him a release to any school not in the SEC. That would allow Sawtelle to be placed on scholarship immediately. Sawtelle said he is unsure if he will pursue a playing career elsewhere (possibly in the Ivy League) or remain in Knoxville to pursue his law degree.
"I'm optimistic looking towards opportunities that benefit me directly," he said. "I would like a school that's the equivalent of the University of Tennessee or better. I don't want to sacrifice the integrity of my degree (to play football elsewhere)."
Sawtelle has three years of eligibility remaining but would have to sit out the 2009 season if he transferred to another Bowl Subdivision school.
"The only thing keeping me here right now is I love the university, the city and the people," Sawtelle said. "They have been the greatest joy of my experience here."
Sawtelle's grandfather, Darris McCord, played at UT from 1952-54 before playing 13 years for the Detroit Lions. Sawtelle's parents have retired to East Tennessee.
Tennessee's signing class for 2012
National Signing Day 2010
Tennessee Lady Vols 82, Auburn Tigers 64
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 68
RoadTrip writes:
Good luck in whatever you choose to do Darris.
RoyaltyVol#280778 writes:
Sounds like a good thing for both! Good luck young man in whatever you do!
MemphisVol writes:
good luck darris.
ut18vols writes:
good luck darius with law degree!! sorry football didnt work out for you
HonoluluVol writes:
Man, we are losing players like crazy. This may hurt in the near term, based on the players that have left up to date. I know he was off the depth charts, but others like Morley and Creer were not. I guess depth on the O-line isn't as bad as it seems. I think CLK is opening up Scholly's so he can get in who he wants to get in. All dead weight is being thrown over board. The train is picking up speed every day. GO VOLS!!!
RoyaltyVol#280778 writes:
We are loaded at RB next season, I don't know why anyone would sign with us at RB next season. By the way, is Creer hurt, I didnt see him in the orange and white game?
HonoluluVol writes:
Creer is no longer a VOL. He left the team about a week or 2 prior to the O&W Game. He felt he shoul be higher on the charts or startig. Plus, he realized tha BB and OKU were coming to UT in June also.
NO_DIGGITY writes:
He is the 7th Player from the Recruting Class of 2007 no longer with the team. Survival of the fittest.
http://recruiting.scout.com/a.z?s=73&...
orngbluded writes:
it doesnt matter why would he come here when we have 3 freshman and a sophmore,and 1 senoir.dont get me wrong i would like to have him but hes not coming here.
Colliervol writes:
After he got such a build up during recruiting, I was wondering why his name wasn't appearing in the O-Line discussion very often. Now we know.
I agree. Survival of the fittest.
RoyaltyVol#280778 writes:
Wow, I didnt know that. I guess thats what I get for going on vacation! Thanks for the info!
orngbluded writes:
Do we have enough ol to play a game,we better sign 4 or 5 ol man this next year.They will have to come in and play now,so that may help us in recruiting.
fiji66 writes:
Why did E.J. Abrams leave the team?
FIJI
golfballs03 writes:
Best to be upfront and honest. Too bad things didn't work out. I wish him luck where ever he goes
bluetick writes:
Well isn't this unique. When has anyone ever heard of a coach releasing a player in college because he was not good enough? I guess it's a good thing and a bad thing in a way but also sends a message that if you want to go to UT then you'd better be good.
utchris writes:
failed drug tests...cocaine and weed
DirtyVolsack writes:
Drugs
orngbluded writes:
We will only have 5 OL man that will be back next year,dallas thomas,cody pope,aaron douglas,jarrod shaw,william brimfield,we need some serious help on the line,we need some top lineman in this next recruiting class.
orngbluded writes:
whats wrong with that percy harvin failed a drug test and hes going to get drafted this weekend probably in the first or early second round.just kidding.
jdcvols#230433 writes:
I was concerned in the beginning about Darris when he was never mentioned in the depth charts. Reminds me of that so-called hot shot lineman from Halls High in Knoxville that turned out to be a total bust back in the 1990's.
Volunatic writes:
Well, that's a shame. I thought he would turn out to be a really good lineman. I guess Lane Kiffin thinks we'll be okay depth-wise in the OL this season, which I think is a little surprising.
Best of luck to you, Darris!
DirtyVolsack writes:
Haha well obviously if you are a Gator and play for urbie cryer then there is absolutely nothing wrong with it. Until they play the Fla Int'ls and Citadels. Cryer is a dirty dirty man and coach.
MphsVols writes:
next news up...
BJ Coleman transferring to Duke or UT Chatt...
Later today.
UrbanStopCallingMe writes:
Rumor is... Percy failed a few drug test at Florida, but Urban decided that "boys will be boys" and let it slide.
TommyJack writes:
No one (not even Noone) would transfer to UTC to play ball.
99gator writes:
this attrition is normal for a new coach.
there will be more.
don't sweat it.
SignalMtnVol writes:
Unfortunately, that's the truth. I do think BJ needs to stay in Knoxville, but it sure would be nice for UTC to field a competitive team in the SoCon. Maybe Huessman will straighten 'em out down here.
MidTennVol writes:
Darris, we wish you the best of luck. From this article, it sure sounds like you have your priorities in order.
If you have the grades, go to an Ivy League school, if at all possible. A law degree from one of those will be worth much more than that from UT.
We wish you the best, young man. (With your size, I think you might make a rather intimidating litigator.)
DirtyVolsack writes:
Ok 99. Since you are the only loper on here that i actually listen to and respect. In all seriousness, what would you predict our record to be next year. We have some (overly) optimistic fans on here who are predicting 10-2 and 9-3 but IMO I would have to say 7-5 or 8-4 which would still be a HUGE improvemnt from the dissmal year we had last year.
DirtyVolsack writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
dvhill100 writes:
Absolutely right. When Johnny Majors took over, he ran a lot of players off, including a few that could have helped him immediately.
LK is sending the players who can't or won't fit his system and obey his rules. This young man seems like he really has a good head on his shoulders and I wish him luck. I guess he didn't quite have the skill set LK wants for his linemen.
I appreciate LK in being honest with the players and telling them the truth, even if it isn't what they want to hear.
He better be going full bore on the linemen for the next recruiting class, otherwise he'll have some serious problems. I know he is aware of that and expect to see quite a few signees.
kkempf#226833 writes:
If he goes to an Ivy League school, it won't be on athletic scholarship, as they have none.
TommyJack writes:
I have nada against the Mocs...just doesn't make sense for BJ.
99gator writes:
8-4, i think is realistic.
unless, the unforeseen happens.....i think it asking a lot to pull off wins against florida, bama, or ole miss on the road.
tennessee has struggled against ranked opponents in recent years and to expect them to beat ranked opponents on the road in year 1 is asking a little much.
i also don't think they will beat all of the following at home.....ga, sc, ucla, and auburn.
if they go 3-1 against that group, lose the games on the road, and win the rest (and are competitive in general)....i think that would be a hell of a job by the staff.
any better than that would get my vote for coach of the year.
any worse than that would not come as a great shock. but, i expect no worse than 7-5.
part of my opinion is i believe tennessee will struggle at the qb position.
in addition, the fact that tennessee's schedule is once again front loaded does not help the staff.
i think tennessee will be better in november than september
jobrando#216494 writes:
7-5 would be great for the new coach.
kwlightmin#206976 writes:
Sad thing is that there is a "rumor" that Brimfield is next. There is no source other than a rumor on volnation. I don't like to trust rumors with no sources, but those guys are right many times over there.
dvhill100 writes:
"Always with them negative waves, Moriarity, always with them negative waves."
allvol9 writes:
Good luck young man! Sounds like a classy guy with his head on straight. Hope you get a UT law degree.
DirtyVolsack writes:
I don't think we will beat florida, bama, or ole miss on the road but I actually expect us to win all of those four home games that you named. I think georgia is coming in overrated again and is struggling in the QB department aslo. Not that I am going on the past only, but last time GA came to Knoxville they were routed and the game was over by halftime. Richt doesn't fare very well in Neyland. I would be happy with 7-5 for the first year of a completely rebuilt staff and program. 8-4 would be amazing though. And like you said, if we get anything better than that then Kiffin should win coach of the year.
kwlightmin#206976 writes:
That was Hall. I think it was Randy Hall. He came in with Jason Julian. Hall just couldn't get healthy. Stayed hurt all the time.
SignalMtnVol writes:
agree 100%. I think he has a fine chance to start in Knoxville. On one hand, you have the starting QB job for Chattanooga. On the other, you have the starting QB job in Knoxville. That's why I think BJ will stay put. If he doesn't think he's getting a fair shake, though, he may end up at another D1 school. I just really hope not.
dvhill100 writes:
I think two of the more interesting games will be UCLA and Auburn. UCLA is still rebuilding and it should be a close game. Monte and Chow squaring off should be a clinic.
Auburn is a lot like us with a new staff and system. Again, we should win being at home, but I expect it to be close.
drone#208075 writes:
Hit the Back button - Coleman gone!
dvhill100 writes:
Only time I ever have. Couldn't resist with a line from one of my favorite movies. It just seemed to fit so well.
:)
DirtyVolsack writes:
I am not childish nor am I a hillbilly. I recently graduated from the Medical School at Johns Hopkins after getting my degree in Biochemistry, Cellular and Molecular Biology (BCMB) and am now doing my residency in the Radiology Department at the UT Medical Center. I can assure that I bleed TENNESSEE ORANGE through and through. While I may post tasteless and classless posts from time to time, I do so because I have the right to posts as I feel necessary. So my apologies to you for posting in such a manner as to upset or offend you.
shoalcreekvol writes:
That class was 4th in the country according to Scout. Auburn was 6th that year and has had similar attrition.
Brings up a lot of questions about recruiting and evaluating HS players.
Major_Magilicutty writes:
I completely agree. Although I like some of the things this staff has done so far, this really rattles my cage and it is just like the Tahj Boyd situation.
shoalcreekvol writes:
OH phooey
http://timesfreepress.com/news/2009/a...
Can't believe this is real. WTH?
DirtyVolsack writes:
The UCLA game should be a thing of beauty...as long as it finishes with us having more point on the scoreboard lol. Would you agree with my assesment of the georgia game though?
DirtyVolsack writes:
Hmm...I'm not sure why my comment was removed. I have read much worse on here before from the likes of ZZ and 987. Not to mention that old lady b!itch_is_back or whatever. And about compact, that man needs to get back on whatever he was on. He is too wound up and agitated to be on here.
Share your thoughts
Comments are the sole responsibility of the person posting them. You agree not to post comments that are off topic, defamatory, obscene, abusive, threatening or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be banned. Click here for our full user agreement.