Coalfield Yellow Jackets lineman Zach Stewart (55) looks for a block at Coalfield High School's Rochelle Field.
University of Tennessee Volunteers defensive lineman LaTroy Lewis (4) tackles Austin Peay State University Governors quarterback Jacob Sexton (7) during the second half at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn., on Saturday, Aug. 31, 2013.KNOXVILLE -- Offensive lineman Zach Stewart will delay his enrollment at the University of Tennessee, head coach Butch Jones said on Monday.
One of five offensive linemen the Volunteers signed in 2015, Stewart has been dealing with the death of his mother, Laura, since late May.
Jones said it's likely Stewart won't enroll until January and thus will miss this season.
"Another individual that I would ask that Vol Nation and everyone still keep in their prayers is Zach Stewart and his family as they go through something that's very, very challenging," the coach said at his preseason news conference late Monday morning.
"We're a family, but Zach will be delaying his enrollment, so he won't be here at the start of camp. We will welcome him when he feels he's ready to come back.
"I just ask you continue to keep him and his family in all your thoughts and all your prayers as they go through something that's very, very hard and very challenging in their personal lives."
The 6-foot-4, 310-pound Stewart played at Coalfield High School about 30 minutes west of Knoxville and helped the Yellow Jackets reach the Class 1A state championship game as a senior.
Saulsberry's status
Oft-injured defensive tackle Trevarris Saulsberry plans to give it a go this preseason, but the Vols will monitor his health closely.
After redshirting in 2011, Saulsberry has appeared in just 13 games in four seasons as multiple knee injuries have kept him off the field. He missed spring practice after playing in just five games in 2014. There was some question whether he would be able to play this season.
Jones said the 6-foot-4, 296-pound fifth-year senior's status will be "touch-and-go," meaning his status will be on a practice-to-practice basis, this preseason.
"He is nowhere near 100 percent," Jones said, "and it's going to be what his body can handle."
Injury report
Defensive end LaTroy Lewis will miss the first two or three weeks of preseason practice after having knee surgery recently, Jones said.
The 6-foot-4, 257-pound Lewis finished last season with eight tackles, five for loss and one sack in 13 games with one start in the regular-season finale at Vanderbilt.
His absence will open up practice reps for freshman sophomore Dimarya Mixon, who spent last season at defensive tackle before moving back outside to end during bowl practices.
Two freshmen -- Kyle Phillips, who missed spring practice after undergoing shoulder surgery following his early enrollment, and summer arrival Darrell Taylor -- also will see their workload increase.
Jones said freshman defensive end Andrew Butcher (knee) and walk-on safety Max Arnold (unspecified), who was a factor on special teams last season, will miss the start of practice and have no timetable for a return.
Guard Austin Sanders, a former Bradley Central standout, will be limited to start practice.
Contact Patrick Brown at pbrown@timesfresspress.com.