Enrolling in school again was a big step.
But it's not the last one Janzen Jackson will need to make as he continues his return to Tennessee.
The progress the Vols safety has made in trying to get back with the program was clear when he was confirmed last week as a student at the university once again. But despite admitting some cautious optimism during an appearance Wednesday morning, UT coach Derek Dooley stressed that there's still plenty to do both on and off the field for the junior before he's officially in the lineup again.
"He's only been here, how long, three days now," Dooley said after a dedication at the UT Center for Athletic Field Safety. "So it's a little premature to say he's back. He's got a long way to go physically, he's still got a lot of things to do to stay a part of the team. Only time will tell if he's going to be our safety this year. I think it's a good positive step forward, but we're certainly not done.
"We're certainly better off today than a week ago, because he's in school and he's working out with the team. He hadn't worked out with our football team literally since the Music City Bowl (last December). It's been a long time away from the football team, and it's a good step to get him back - but we also can't forget he has been gone that long and it's going to be a long road back."
For details later online or in Thursday's News Sentinel. Follow @Vols_Beat on Twitter.
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Comments » 120
Runningangry writes:
Get your house in order JJ. Hope to see you on the field this season!
rollonbeagles writes:
Still, it looks good to me. Do what you have to do JJ.
huntined#565710 writes:
I really think JJ is trying to do what EB told him and he has such a great future ahead of him. Glad he is back and expect him to be ready to play real soon.
AHoffman writes:
Dooley really bends the rules for a good player.
givehim6 writes:
Might not see JJ as a starter till he gets some more practice time in with the team and get the rust off, if he puts his heart to it.
orangeman1 writes:
Then what exactly is it that he needs to do off the field and on the field? Do reporters even ask the important questions anymore?
Volunatic writes:
What rules has Dooley bent?
AHoffman writes:
Lunatic - your name says it all.
murrayvol writes:
You didn't answer the question.
AHoffman writes:
Do you reply to admitted lunatics?
GiveHim6TDTennessee writes:
Is your first name Jack? Because you're acting like a huge jackoff
CrankE writes:
"He's got a long way to go physically."
This doesn't sound promising.
Bloodrunzorange writes:
Just like every coach in America Hoff! GBO!!!
Futurecoach16 writes:
There are some things that are better left unsaid. Despite whether or not the reporters asked said "important" questions, Dooley's no idiot and won't say anything that could put Jackson in any kind of danger/situation. You can call it beating around the bush, but reporters are not given the right to know every detail.
UTCVOL writes:
Definitely would not happen at SC cause as we ALL know Lane Kiffin and Co would NOT tolerate the competition.
madmaxvol writes:
Reminds you of the good ole Fulmer days when he does that, doesn't it?
SEC1 writes:
Nick Saban would never allow this type of action by one player, even muschamp has shown one player(jj. jenoris jenkins not to be mistaken with tn's jj) is not above the program.
oregonvol writes:
Right you are. At SC they would have bought him a car and rented his momma a mansion by now.
Vol_From_Memphis writes:
So, you lost 30 scholarships, a Heisman trophy, all victories from 2005 and you call us Thug U?
Bigger_Al writes:
Saban would do the same thing, no doubt. His usual is "discipline will be handled internally".
Mushchomp lays down the law only after a kid gets arrested for a 3rd time in one year.
Ya'll act like Janzen is in trouble because he got arrested or something. He did 21 months ago with the charges dropped, but that has nothing to do with this.
UTCVOL writes:
Of course would NEVER happen at SC Cause Kiffin and CO would NOT TOLERATE the competition....
kabulvol writes:
Do we have investigative journalists anymore? What exactly is going on with JJ? All we hear is "family issues" or "personal issues". What is going on? And, where does it stand now? Why write a story if you can't give a complete story?
kentuckyorange writes:
I don't care what he missed, Janzen Jackson is the best defensive back Tennessee has and he will be on the field sooner than later. We have a better chance of winning with him on the field than on the bench. He will be ready come September when we play Cincinnati and Florida.
Volunatic writes:
Well, in AHoffman's defense, answering the question would involve presenting a verifiable fact, instead of derogatory innuendo.
Answering the question was impossible, so AHoffman was forced to try to dodge the question by a pitifully weak attempt besmirching my indisputably excellent posting moniker.
GreerVol22 writes:
Whole lot of you guys act like you know what he's in the dog house for. And you're assuming the coach is bending rules to allow him to show up. As long as its not an NCAA thing, then I really don't care and trust that coach can handle it...and so should you. We'll all be informed in good time if the kid makes it.
kletusfleabiscuit writes:
the best that can be made of it is that JJ has/had some personal issues that he wished to address. And he wished that it be kept private. Coach Dooley, being the honorable man that he is, respected JJ's wish. Nothing more and nothing less. This article is nothing more than Coach Dooley also being a realist. He understands that mental and physical conditioning go hand in hand and that JJ has a ways to go before he is completely back. Kudo's to Coach Dooley for his honesty and kudo's to JJ for making the right step.
VOLFAN4LIFEgovols writes:
All I have to say is we have to remember that they are still kids. Ill bet alot of people on here made mistakes at his age as well.
thetrollhunter writes:
My guess is this guy isn't an actual USC fan. He probably doesn't even watch sports. He's just one of these people who leave the computer only to use the bathroom, and get their fill of social interaction by trolling here. It give's him some sort of weird satisfaction that we won't understand, because the rest of us know what it's like to talk to a girl.
It's jealousy. That's what it comes down to. Just ignore him so maybe he can realize the bitter truth of his sad reality. He probably won't though, but maybe he will take his delusions somewhere else.
mbain13 writes:
seriously??? You're a disgrace to the world.
Volunatic writes:
Well said.
SIMSVOL writes:
Hey AHoffman - do you know why Janzen Jackson was out for so long? Because if you don't, I'm not sure why you're making stupid, ignorant comments like the one you made about Dooley bending the rules. As far as we know, Jackson has been given time to get through a personal issue. Now he must earn his way back on the team. Mark it down - AHoffman will be one of the first to beeyatch and moan the second things don't go so well for Tennessee on the field this season. Dooley needs time to turnaround a monumental mess left by Fulmer and Kiffin. And Jackson needs time to earn his way back. Give it to them without the wise cracks.
volsfan74 writes:
To the idiots that think CDD is wrong because he does not air out what ever JJ's personal problems are, he is JJ's coach and it is the coaches job to protect his players not get in front of the media and reveal his players personal problems.
And to the moron that said Saban would not put up with this type of behavior you're a fool for saying such and I am sure it goes on more than you will ever know.
I applaud CDD, he made JJ get away from the team while dealing with the issues. And I appreciate JJ respecting that request and dealing with the issues and coming back to the team after he finished dealing with it.
orangeman1 writes:
Noone has a right to know what expectations are of JJ, but as a fan I would like to know what Dooley means when he says JJ has "alot" of things to take care of on and off the field. That is pretty vague and I wouldve liked to know what he meant. I'm not concerned about him physically being able to play. I just hope JJ has his head on straight and wont have any more issues come up.
BustaRhymes writes:
Yes, he has several things to do... he must put on his shoulder pads, tighten his jock, put on his socks and cleats, put on that beautiful Big Orange jersey, grab his helmet and then jog onto the field... make no mistake Vol fans, JJ will be on the field come fall... at least in time for the Cincy game...
dvols writes:
yea....like show up on Saturdays!
VolzsFan writes:
No, not even close. Unlike Urban Myer who never dismissed a player at Florida (Cam was dismissed by the University), The Hall of Famer Fulmer dismissed a great many players and many found their way to the NFL from other schools. That Cup started by a Florida student as a joke never had Tenn in the top 10 during the Hall of Famers era. You should get your head out of the KNS and do some actual research.
Good Day and don't forget to get out and meet your seats LOL!
VolzsFan writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
Theo writes:
So I guess stabbing your ex-wife and her friend is not thuggish behavior? Perhaps SC can get a deal with Fed Ex for bulk shipment of heisman trophies back to New York.
Smokey_Chow writes:
I tend to think that Dooley is a pretty straight forward guy, but if you believe there is a chance JJ wont be on the field starting the first game you are only kidding yourself.
There is now way Dooley wouldn't start JJ at safety. I would be willing to bet that if he came back 1 month prior to the season he would still be playing if the NCAA was ok with it. I mean think about it.... who would you guys consider the best Safety for the Vols right now? JJ! and he's not even been with the team for half a year lol
Theo writes:
At this point JJ's issue, unless it harmed someone else, is IMO moot. My primary hope is that JJ is able to stay in school and finish a degree. Secondarily he will be able to return to the team. His teammates and coaches will hopefully provide him with a valuable support network. Best case scenario all of the above and he makes life miserable for all the SEC quarterbacks.
Hang in there JJ, we've all had our struggles and we are rooting for you. VFL.
timetotellthetruth writes:
Say what you will, but Tennessee has more national championships (1) in the last 20 years than USC (ZERO)
The facts are undisputed!!
CoverOrange writes:
I don't know what Jackson has done or if he did anything, but supposing he did, Dooley had two choices: kick him off the team and allow him to go to another school where he would continue whatever behavior that got him in trouble or go back to Louisiana and join his cousins in jail. Or Dooley could give a second chance, tell him he has 6 months to get his chit together and be a contributing member of society. Urban had a similar case several years ago and decided on a second chance and being a father figure (though that one bit him in the bass).
PHAT_VOL writes:
No he dosen't !!
GO VOLS !
Volunatic writes:
If it was "confirmed by the video" that he committed armed robbery, then why did the police drop the charges? KPD doesn't care which arrest-ees are star players. (I don't think that is the case with law enforcement in some other college towns, though.) There is NO evidence he did anything wrong at Pilot, and that is why charges were dropped.
He was at Bar Knoxville on the night of the brawl, but so were several dozen other people. Everyone present was guilty?
Your drug rehab assertion is bunk. Provide a link to a reputable source to back it up.
Facts? What facts? You don't have no stinking facts.
orangeman1 writes:
Arent you the one who said Dooley doesnt beat around the bush when thats exactly what he did? Seems to me that your are the one that isnt very perceptive. Why do act like you know it all when you obviously dont and insult people? Maybe it makes you feel superior, but it just makes you look like a ____. Save your nastiness for the non UT fans on here. Some of us UT fans would actually like to know what conditions he's set for JJ to return. Maybe you just like keeping your head in the sand.
Volunatic writes:
I like your concise response. Very good, sir.
snoopbob87 writes:
JJ will play for UT if and when he decides too. Coach will bend over backward to keep this so called "star". Face it JJ is a pro football player in the minor league. When money talks JJ will walk to the NFL pay window. You know what? I don't blame him. My point being major football powers, especially the SEC, recruit and train players for the NFL. There is no academics involved with these kids. Sad that it has come to this.
TommyJack writes:
I'm just trying to figure out who the hell Noone is.
buzz29 writes:
Of course Jackson has a lot of things to do to stay a part of the team. I hope he does them.
johnlg00 writes:
This is just more CSS drivel. (Hint: "dribble" means to bounce a basketball; I used the word you were looking for, you phony "Vandy grad".) Muschamp sent Jenkins home after he was arrested for his THIRD FELONY. Dooley suspended the player with the late car payments so the NCAA nor any other busybody could claim that the guy was getting a free car and to teach him some financial responsibility. Brewer's charges were dropped, hence no "conviction" for assault. Oku quit because he got beat out by a freshman as backup running back. Several players have been quoted as saying they are behind Jackson and would happily welcome him back. So, by my count, that makes you AT LEAST 0-for-5 on bogus statements in this one post, which, come to think about it, is pretty much par for the course for you.
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