KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - Redshirt freshman back-up quarterback Nash Nance was one of six players to leave Tennessee before the start of the spring semester.
Also leaving the Volunteers program was freshman defensive lineman Martaze Jackson, sophomore defensive lineman Art Jeffery, sophomore wide receiver Matt Milton and sophomore linebacker Robert Nelson.
Tennessee previously confirmed that freshman wide receiver DeAnthony Arnett planned to leave the program to play at Michigan State so he could be closer to his ailing father.
Coach Derek Dooley said Friday the players were leaving for various reasons, including academic pursuits and an increased opportunity to play and that he and the Vols supported their decisions.
Dooley said sophomore offensive lineman JerQuari Schofield also is not a part of the team but remains at Tennessee.
Meanwhile, Tennessee
sophomore defensive lineman Daniel Hood, freshman linebacker Curt Maggitt and
junior defensive back Prentiss Waggner are expected to be limited during spring
practice after having offseason surgeries on the shoulders.
Volunteers coach Derek
Dooley announced the surgeries on Friday. All three players were starters for
Tennessee in 2011.
Dooley said sophomore
defensive back Brent Brewer will miss spring practice as he continues to
recover from surgery on his left ACL, though sophomore wide receiver Justin
Hunter is on track to return following his own ACL surgery.
Sophomore center Alex
Bullard, freshman defensive lineman Allan Carson, junior linebacker Greg King,
sophomore defensive lineman Marlon Walls and freshman running back Marlin Lane
each had minor knee surgery but are expected to be available in the spring.
(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
