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Tennessee football: Five takeaways from 2021 spring practice roster

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 /

3. Suspended players still on roster

Two weeks ago, Arron Willis, Martavius French and Isaac Washington were all arrested on drug charges. Josh Heupel revealed in his media session Thursday that Kaidon Salter was among those arrested as well.

All four of them have since been suspended indefinitely. Washington, an early enrollee defensive lineman, didn’t stand out as much given the fact that the position is so loaded he likely won’t see much playing time this year anyway. Salter another early enrollee, is entering an open competition at quarterback, but three other guys are also competing for that spot.

However, Willis is a four-star early enrollee linebacker, and French is a redshirt freshman linebacker who was a four-star in 2020. Given the current limbo status of Quavaris Crouch, J.J. Peterson and Henry To’o To’o, all of whom are in the transfer portal but haven’t landed elsewhere yet, linebacker is a huge position of need on Rocky Top.

Well, Willis and French are still on the roster. That stands out in a big way. We knew they weren’t dismissed from the team, but if the spring roster involves people actually participating in spring practice, then it seems these guys will be able to take part in that.

Josh Heupel and Tim Banks need all the linebackers they can get to take part in spring ball given how thin the position currently is. Willis and French still being on the roster is good news for them, although we will have to wait and see how it all plays out.

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