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Tennessee football NCAA probe looks serious. Here’s what’s been reported

By Caleb Calhoun

KNOXVILLE, TN - OCTOBER 11: Detailed view of the checkered endzone at Neyland Stadium during a game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the Chattanooga Mocs on October 11, 2014 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Tennessee won the game 45-10. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TN - OCTOBER 11: Detailed view of the checkered endzone at Neyland Stadium during a game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the Chattanooga Mocs on October 11, 2014 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Tennessee won the game 45-10. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /
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Sep 1, 2018; Charlotte, NC, USA; A Tennessee Volunteers helmet is seen pregame before the game against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 1, 2018; Charlotte, NC, USA; A Tennessee Volunteers helmet is seen pregame before the game against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports /

This is what’s been reported about the investigation into the Tennessee football Volunteers.

It’s gone from rumors to very serious accusations. With Jeremy Pruitt already on the hot seat among Tennessee football fans, an NCAA investigation into alleged recruiting violations and improper benefits involving the program began on the same day the Vols lost their final game of the year to the Texas A&M Aggies.

Initial reports of an investigation before the game turned into multiple players missing the game and many reporters making the connection, including one during and one after the game directly reporting that it involves one of the player. After the game, another report touched on a story involving this recruiting season.

Taking all this into account, it’s safe to say that there is a ton of uncertainty surrounding Tennessee football and Pruitt’s status with the program. Here’s a breakdown of everything that has been reported by credible sources so far. We have five bullet points, separated into different slides, to bring you, starting with this one.

The investigation involves the NCAA and UT

Trey Wallace of Knoxville’s WKGN-AM first reported the story just before the Texas A&M game kicked off. According to the story, the NCAA and the university’s compliance department is investigating it. Wallace tweeted in a reply to a Wes Rucker tweet later that night that he had been working on this story for over a month.

In early January, Brent Hubbs of VolQuest reported that UT had released its first statement, noting that it is working with attorneys Kyle Skillman and Michael Glazier with Bond, Schoeneck & King. Lawyering up was also a big deal. Mark Schlabach of ESPN then reported the Vols instituted a hiring freeze on staff vacancies and would not extend contracts during the investigation.

Clearly somebody from the inside confirmed this was happening. Why would thy do that? There is a floating conspiracy that the Vols are leaking this as a way to be able to fire Pruitt and not have to pay his buyout. It’s also a way for Phillip Fulmer to fire Pruitt and save face. That’s a major conspiracy, but it’s clearly odd that this story would be leaked the way it was.

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