Butch Jones announced in his Thursday afternoon press conference that senior, starting safety LaDarrell McNeil is undergoing tests for neck instability and will be out for a “lengthy period of time.”
“Everything is about the welfare of our student-athletes and making sure there is life after football,” Jones said. “He’s a great representative of Tennessee football and has done everything that we ask … I feel for him.”
McNeil is coming off a much improved junior season, which saw career highs of two interceptions and 76 tackles.
Jones is currently unsure about who will be taking over the vacant spot left by McNeil while the Dallas, Texas native has tests run.
“Brian Randolph has played a lot of football. (Todd Kelly) benefited from last year, and Evan Berry did as well,” Jones said of McNeil’s possible replacement. “We should have Stephen Griffin back by Monday’s practice so that will help, and Max Arnold has played there as well.”
Wide Receiver Updates: Senior wideout Pig Howard will be suspended for the opening game against Bowling Green for what Jones calls a “violation of team rules,” stating that the incident dates back months before training camp.
“To Alton’s credit, I like the way he’s approached training camp,” Jones said. “He’s had the best training camp that he’s had since we’ve been here. I’m appreciative of his effort, but he will miss the Bowling Green game.”
Howard won’t be the only receiver absent when the Vols kick-off this season, however, as junior Jason Croom and freshman Vincent Perry will both undergo a knee scope on Friday. Perry hurt his knee in a non-contact drill at practice earlier this week. Croom has practiced sparingly so far this fall after suffering a knee injury prior to the Tennessee’s bowl win over Iowa.
Jones said that he would have a better idea of the time span for both players after getting the results of the scope.
It wasn’t all bad news for the wide receiver corps, though.
Two hours after lamenting the lengthy process Preston Williams was going through in his press conference, Jones tweeted to announce that the freshman passed his ACT and is officially part of the Vols’ team.
Williams’ original ACT score was flagged by the testing company, forcing him to miss the last several weeks of practice while waiting for the results of his new test.
Offensive Line Competitiveness: The Vols’ coaching staff still hasn’t named the five starters on the offensive line.
That uncertainty may continue into the regular season, as Jones revealed a situation that he hasn’t had since arriving at Tennessee.
“We have a core group of guys that we know have kind of emerged. Right now, we have a preliminary travel squad, and we usually travel with ten linemen,” Jones said. “We’ve (usually) had to fight and scratch to travel with eight. Well, we could travel upwards to 12 or 13.”
The competitiveness at the offensive line position has pushed many players to step up and improve their play.
From the seniors to the true freshman, Jones is pleased with the competition.
“They can see the progress that they’re making,” Jones said. “That’s a very close-knit group, and they push each other each and every day, which is great to see as well.
“Competition either makes you better or makes you worse. The great competitors compete each and every day. Every great program, every individual in life who’s accomplished something, they’ve had to go through a competitive battle, and it’s ongoing. We have to continue to grow and develop.”
