Tennessee defensive back Brent Vinson has resolved his academic issues and will remain enrolled for the spring semester.
The sophomore's status was in doubt, and media reports Wednesday night by WBIR and Volquest.com said Vinson had been dismissed from the team.
And while academics played a role in keeping Vinson off the field for part of the 2008 season, it appears he'll be back for 2009 assuming he finishes the spring semester in good academic standing.
Tennessee reserve offensive lineman Darius Myers, however, will not return to the team.
According to UT, he was never reinstated from a two-game suspension served this fall for lack of academic effort, although he did practice after his suspension.
Also on Thursday, new UT coach Lane Kiffin spent about three hours conducting a class check. Kiffin made an unexpected visit to early morning classes for several players, including safety Eric Berry's 8 a.m. class, likely to send a message.
Vinson, widely regarded as one of the best athletes on the team, missed the season opener against UCLA on Sept. 1 due to an academic-related suspension. He also missed part of UT's victory over Northern Illinois after being late for a team meeting.
Vinson, who played in all 14 games for the Vols as a true freshman, was suspended for a loss to South Carolina on Nov. 1 and did not play the following week against Wyoming for unspecified reasons.
His suspension was apparently related to traffic stop that resulted in five citations from police.
He returned to the field against Vanderbilt, where he returned his only interception of the season 69 yards. He did not play the following week in UT's season-finale against Kentucky, at least in part because of a lower leg injury suffered against the Commodores.
This season, Vinson recorded 13 tackles and broke up one pass in eight games.
Tennessee's signing class for 2012
National Signing Day 2010
Signing day celebration at Neyland…
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Comments » 180
Ironcity writes:
There's a new sheriff in town. Better be on your toes guys
SemperVol writes:
He probably wanted Berry's autograph.. kidding.
This is stellar M.O. in my opinion. No starters, no stars, short leash.
WarriorVol writes:
agreed
NoMoreWooAfterGoodOleRockyTop writes:
I am sure CFP did the same though likely via a webcam so he could keep an eye on his players and the Shoney's buffet at the same time.
gwaidley#279246 writes:
Berry is the last one he needs to worry about.
volwalk writes:
This is AWESOME! You better get your arse in gear or you are out the door!
caskew#218608 writes:
I agree this is great CLK is keeping a short leash, but today was the first day for Tuesday/Thursday classes. Everyone is required to attend the first class or some instructors will drop you if you're not there. I suggest he does this again in about 3-4 weeks after everyone gets settled in.
Outdors21 writes:
Unlike Fulmer, CLK is proving a point that every has a clean slate and will be treated equally.
Upper-classmen and better players won't get the gravy train.
Volsrbest writes:
Sounds like we have several potential DB recruits coming in. Early playing time may be the theme. Vinson, if you want to play ball, do the classwork.
volwalk writes:
Coack Kiff is sending the message that not even Eric Berry gets special treatment.
rich182x writes:
Ahhh Shoneys! I miss the South, stuck in Cali. Anyways, I like what CLK is doin there. And I wonder if Berry was at class, Ill give him the benefit of the doubt. I like this guy... Stellar!
DAWGSSUCK writes:
That's awesome. Hopefully this will cut down on some of the issues we've been having.
rich182x writes:
Yup, right after National Signing Day. Hope we get Marlon Brown!!
SemperVol writes:
Lord I hope people don't associate Shoney's with the South. Had to eat there four times a week as a kid... I'm kinda gagging at the moment, actually.
rich, no offense, but when you get back in the south, give me a shout and we'll hit up some BBQ joints and pump you full of sweet tea and cornbread.
Stellar, indeed... caskew has a good point though.
G8er_H8er writes:
Vinson and Morley better get their heads on right or get out. Fulmer was way too soft on players and the lack of discipline showed on the field. The drug testing is going to be enforced a lot harder as well. So if you want to burn that tree you better find another school to do it at.
GO VOLS. Go Orange Swarm.
Ironcity writes:
I hope Vinson somehow turns it around. I believe he is clearly one of our two best corners. I thought he had all conference potential after his Freshman year, but you got to want it and I am not sure he does. I wonder if the loss of his best friend Duke Crews had an adverse effect on him?
rich182x writes:
Well it's definately not Shoneys that I love and miss, it just reminds me of home and TN. And did you know they DONT even serve sweet tea here!?!? The response I always get back is "No, but we got Rasberry tea!" F*%$&N hippies.
GoVol writes:
Agreed. But the message to the players is....if he's checking on EB you know he'll be checking on others.
SemperVol writes:
After the starting lineup is introduced next fall, I suspect this will happen:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lNVxed...
A SEAT AT THE TABLE!!!!
VolsomeVols writes:
take a look at some comments made about last years class and this past year football season and how some peoples predictions came to light
http://www.volnation.com/forum/tennes...
cainclifton23 writes:
I hope Vinsont can return.
he is out most athletic player on the team.
and could by far be our best corner.
SemperVol writes:
Haha! Next time you go, say..
"Sure, that'll be fine but hold the Raspberries" I suspect a flabbergasted look from Tina.
I understand what you mean.
HtownVol writes:
So is Vinson going to be on the team? Myers was not a factor anyway.DB is the one area that we are loaded at. Well also at LB we will have about 5 or 6 4* LBs next year. Awsome, right. O yeah and at least one 5* LB!. Now if we can get 1 or 2 5* WRs. I think we will be greatly improved over the last few years.
SemperVol writes:
Everybody... Buddy's... pronto! et_vol_fan is buying! Haha.
cainclifton23 writes:
If we can get Alshon Jeffrey and Marlon Brown.
(Both taking vists.)
and we are getting a visit from Pat Patterson.
I think we have more of a shot at Alson and pat.
I would love to take both of them
KennesawVol writes:
rich182x - if you miss Shoney's I feel sorry for you!! How 'bout Krispy Kreme??
JBruce writes:
According to a friend of mine, this is what happened at the team meeting yesterday.
Kiffin let the linemen have it. Basically told them that he saw most of the tape. They are too fat, slow and out of shape to be any good to him or this football team.
Mandatory weightlifting is at 5:00AM starting immediately.
No bending over to catch your breath during workouts. You will pay dearly for it.
No earrings, hats or stuff like that in the football facilities. You will show respect for yourself, your teammates and your university.
Don't be late for meetings.
Fulmer's three strike rule is gone. If you are caught with drugs of any kind, you are gone immediately.
If you embarass the team, coaches, university the penalties will be severe.
blitzshoot writes:
Seems like CLK recognized sources of past problems rather quickly.
HtownVol writes:
Thats great, but we all know how hard it is to get our players to lay off the drugs and getting in trouble. If he sticks to it we will lose about 7 or 8 players next year. Thats about the average # of players that get suspended, right? Hate to be negative, but its the truth.
OdessaVol writes:
Scout is reporting TE Orson Charles is visiting 1/30. This guy is a beast who can fly. During FL playoffs this guy dominated. Lane was at first round game. The visits are piling up.
OdessaVol writes:
Nice. Thanks JB
cjraney writes:
Good point, very possible we do lose some guys. However, very possible this staff recruits better players to replace them. This may not be a one year rebuilding project....but sure hope so.
luvorange writes:
Tough but I love it! IMO this is a key ingredient that has been missing from the program. Just think back to a certain senior, that I like BTW, getting a stupid penalty because of a lack of discipline in the FLA game.
JBruce writes:
Kiffin is using the same drug policy that Carroll has at USC.
Anytime that a player gets busted, it gets splashed all over the news, which is unacceptable and will not be tollerated.
Bottom line, don't get caught using drugs.
SemperVol writes:
Good news from OL JerQuari Schofield (South Aiken HS, SC). "It's Tennessee all the way," Schofield said.
Rivals rates him as a three star but I'm willing to bet when they re-evaluate players next week for their most-updated rankings, he'll turn out to be a 4-star. Alot of schools inquired about his status after the coaching change.
He's garnered worthy attention.
HtownVol writes:
Well I see that Shofield says he is comint to UT. Thats 1 good OL locked down. We need to get at least 2 more signed and I will be happy with our OL recruiting this year. I meant 2 more that are highly ranked ( top 25 or so at their position). I know this guy is almost there, he looks like a solid player though. I would be happy with P. White and A. Phillips. And some more decent OL, like the Tenn kid. I dont think he will ever start.
HtownVol writes:
coming... Grammer Police. I am in a hurry (at work)
blitzshoot writes:
Agree. Looks like dear ole Gand-dad has left the building.
cainclifton23 writes:
I really think you just go around posting random quotes.
JBruce writes:
I think that recruiting may have something to do with it as well.
As it stands, there are only 18 scholarships available. Kiffin will likely sign around 24 guys in this class. Some will be JUCO, but he will have to get some from other places as well.
GreerVol22 writes:
another 5 star with a brick for a brain.
orngbluded writes:
I love it this great,this should send a message that he is not playing around.Im glad he wasnt my coach because i hated going to class.I dont think player will get 4 or 5 chances like they did with the last staff.
ThurmondEppy writes:
I know most of you are Memphis haters, but when this Memphian went to UT for college and saw that Buddys was the best BBQ Kville had to offer I was quite disappointed. Buddys is to BBQ what Captain Ds is to seafood.
BigT_Chief writes:
I, for one, am glad to see this. This is the way my high school coach worked, God bless his departed soul. He would always say to us, especially on an away game, "Remember who you are and where you're from." Oh, and he was a stickler about long hair too, he absolutely did not want to see our hair flapping out from under our helmets.
DennisVols writes:
Discipline in the classroom will equate to discipline on the field. Stupid penalties, poor ball control, turnovers, missed opportunities all products of poor discipline. I for one am tired of reading about what UT football players did not do when it come to performance in the classroom or on the field.
HtownVol writes:
Off subject. I saw a headline on ESPN "Nutt explains how to beat Florida" I didnt read it, but it had to say "Have Ed Orgeron do all of your recruiting" Wouldnt everyone have to agree with that? There is no way he does that without O's players. Did he ever do it at Ark? Idk, but I know not recently.
givehim6 writes:
I know what ya mean. My in-laws use to live in Ohio, go anywhere to eat and order sweet tea you get the funnys looks. I hate Rasberry tea.
wildberry14 writes:
why check on the first day? everyone goes to that one. i have had football players in my class and they go to the first one and then skip the other ones unless there is a test coming up.
JBruce writes:
He would not have had immediate success without the work that Orgeron did.
Nutt did a great job of putting together the pieces though. I felt that he should have been SEC Coach of the Year.
alwaysorange81 writes:
Ok im not "fulmer hating" or whatever just curious. Lets call it for posterity. And alot of people here seem to know stuff about the program and im sure there are students here that might know this as well but. Did Fulmer or any of his staff ever conduct class checks?? On the first day or any other?
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