All for Tennessee
Fansided

Tennessee Vols morning report: Jauan Jennings news, Top 25 rankings

By Caleb Calhoun

KNOXVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 09: Tennessee Volunteers fans cheer during the first half of the game against the Indiana State Sycamores at Neyland Stadium on September 9, 2017 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 09: Tennessee Volunteers fans cheer during the first half of the game against the Indiana State Sycamores at Neyland Stadium on September 9, 2017 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

The possible reinstatement of Tennessee Vols receiver Jauan Jennings and basketball rankings lead the Volunteers news for Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2017.

With Christmas coming up and bowl season underway, you would think there’s not a lot to discuss on Rocky Top. However, it’s the exact opposite. The Tennessee Vols have a ton of news going on right now.

There are details of the middle of basketball season to discuss above all else. But on top of that, the early signing period this year creates more news for everybody.

We also have a scandal surrounding the football program to bring you and the possibility of a player reinstatement. That player reinstatement actually leads our news, so let’s go there first.

Fulmer, Jennings meet about possible reinstatement – Trey Wallace, The Read Optional

Jauan Jennings met with Tennessee Vols athletic director Phillip Fulmer on Monday about possibly being reinstated to the team. New head coach Jeremy Pruitt is also expected to meet with him upon his return to Knoxville.

"Jennings was dismissed from the football team after a profanity-laced tirade against the ex-Vols coaching staff during the final week of the regular season. Sources tell The Read Optional that Jennings had been promised a featured role in a “Wildcat” package upon return from a wrist injury sustained in the team’s season opener vs. Georgia Tech."

Vols DC to coach Georgia through playoff – Blake Toppmeyer, Knoxville News Sentinel

New Tennessee Vols defensive coordinator Kevin Sherrer will remain the Georgia Bulldogs’ outside linebackers coach through the College Football Playoff. Sherrer could end up going against his future boss, Jeremy Pruitt, who will coach the Tide through the playoff.

"Pruitt, hired as Tennessee’s coach on Dec. 7, reportedly tapped Sherrer to be his defensive coordinator.Pruitt has been recruiting for Tennessee but will complete his duties as Alabama’s defensive coordinator through the playoff."

Tennessee football staff member fabricated expenses – David Cobb, Times Free Press

A state report to the university detailed how a former Tennessee football staff member misused funds intended to be spent on things like meals for the football team. The report implicates 32-year-old Chris Spognardi, who served as director of football operations under Butch Jones through 2016.

"Spognardi plead guilty last week to a charge of official misconduct in Knox County Criminal Court.The comptroller’s investigation revealed that Spognardi “provided fabricated or altered documentation to account for at least $14,085 in travel-related cash advances entrusted to him by the UT Athletics Department” between September 2015 and January 2016."

Men’s and women’s basketball Vols remain in Top 25 – Heather Williams, WCYB

The Tennessee Vols men’s basketball program did not suffer too much after a loss on Sunday. The Vols dropped in one poll but held steady in another. Meanwhile, the Lady Vols held steady.

"Both the Tennessee men and women remained ranked in the latest AP Top 25 basketball polls released on Monday.The Vols dropped one spot to 21 after Sunday’s loss to North Carolina, the Lady Vols hold strong at number seven and are still unbeaten on the season."

Home/Tennessee Volunteers