KNOXVILLE — Transferring Tennessee defensive end Dewayne Hendrix told an Illinois newspaper he was unhappy during his brief time with the Volunteers and later posted a different message on his Twitter account.
The former four-star recruit out of the St. Louis area is planning to leave Tennessee and spoke to the Belleville News Democrat on Thursday about his reasons for leaving.
"I just wasn't happy," he said. "I was happy with my playing time, I just didn't like it here. Just my relationship with the coaches and how they talk to people. It just kept getting worse as the season went on."
Later Tuesday night, Hendrix posted the following tweet to his account: "Don't believe everything you read. I thank the coaching staff for giving me the opportunity to start my college career here at UT."
The 6-foot-4, 275-pound Hendrix was a backup defensive end for Tennessee and appeared in seven games this season, making two tackles. He was behind fellow freshman Derek Barnett, Corey Vereen, Curt Maggitt and LaTroy Lewis at end, but he played in three of the Vols' final four games.
After starring at O'Fallon High School, Hendrix signed with Tennessee last February, picking the Vols over Missouri and scholarship offers from Florida, Michigan State, Ole Miss, Ohio State, Penn State and Southern California, among others.
Hendrix told the Belleville News Democrat his options for potential transfer destinations are wide open.
The promising defensive end is one of at least three freshmen, along with tight end Daniel Helm and tailback Derrell Scott, leaving Tennessee before the Vols play Iowa in the Taxslayer Bowl on Jan. 2.
Freshman defensive tackle Michael Sawyers has not been at practice the last few weeks either.
The Vols signed 32 players in their touted 2014 class.
Contact Patrick Brown at pbrown@timesfreepress.com.