KNOXVILLE -- The movement on Tennessee's roster wasn't limited to the players the Volunteers signed as part of their 2015 recruiting class on Wednesday.
Amid rampant recent speculation, Tennessee coach Butch Jones confirmed receivers Ryan Jenkins and Vic Wharton are looking into possible transfers, with their futures with the Vols in limbo.
Jones also confirmed rising sophomore defensive Michael Sawyers has been dismissed from the program for what he called "violations of athletic and team policies."
Jenkins and Wharton were reserve receivers who saw their playing time increased at the end of the 2014 season as Tennessee was decimated by injuries.
"They've asked to explore other options, so we have granted them the opportunity to explore other options. We'll see how that goes. We'll see where that goes with those two individuals."
Rising sophomore Wharton was an instrumental part of Tennessee's 2014 recruiting class, as he helped spearhead the peer-recruiting efforts for the Vols. He started twice at the end of the season and caught a 49-yard touchdown pass in Tennessee's 45-28 rout of Iowa in the TaxSlayer Bowl.
Ryan Jenkins, the son of former Tennessee defensive back Lee Jenkins, redshirted in 2013 due to knee issues and made one catch for 6 yards against Missouri in 13 games in 2014.
Sawyers spent most of his freshman season in the doghouse, but he appeared to be back on track during December bowl practices and played in the fourth quarter of the TaxSlayer Bowl.
Hiring time?
The vacancy for Tennessee's offensive coordinator position will turn two weeks old on Thursday, but Jones indicated a hire is imminent.
"I am closing in on an offensive coordinator. I would expect to have somebody in place hopefully by the end of the week."
Former Central Michigan head coach, Michigan offensive coordinator and NFL assistant Mike DeBord continues to be the frontrunner for the job.
Peterman transfers to Pittsburgh
After taking a visit to Pittsburgh last weekend, Tennessee quarterback Nathan Peterman's transfer to the Panthers became official on Wednesday.
Peterman, who completed his undergraduate degree at Tennessee in December, posted the following message on his Twitter account on Wednesday: "Excited to officially be a Pitt Panther! I'm extremely grateful for the great relationships I've made at UT and life lessons learned."
The Florida native memorably struggled in his first career start at Florida in 2013, and he was replaced by Josh Dobbs after two series in a start against Alabama last October.
Former Tennessee offensive coordinator Jim Chaney, who recruited Peterman to Tennessee, is the new offensive coordinator for the Panthers, who hired Pat Narduzzi earlier this offseason.
Peterman will be eligible immediately at Pittsburgh.
Tennessee added three quarterbacks in its 2015 class. Jauan Jennings and Quinten Dormady already enrolled, and Sheriron Jones signed on Wednesday. All three players are rated as four-star recruits.
"Nate and I had a discussion right at the end of the season, and I'm very excited for him," Jones said. "We told him we'd help him in that process. I think any time you can sell that you have one quarterback on scholarship, that's a very attractive spot for a number of individuals, and that's been evidenced through this recruiting process."
Spring absences
Two of Tennessee's 10 early enrollees will not participate in spring practice due to injuries.
Jones said defensive end Kyle Phillips (shoulder surgery) and linebacker Darrin Kirkland (torn pectoral) will miss spring practice.
Contact Patrick Brown at pbrown@timesfreepress.com.