KNOXVILLE — DeAnthony Arnett is continuing his college football career at Michigan State.
The former Tennessee receiver, who was granted an unconditional release from his scholarship by Volunteers coach Derek Dooley earlier this week, confirmed his choice to the Times Free Press on Thursday. Classes start at Michigan State next week, and Arnett likely will apply for a hardship waiver from the NCAA, which would make him eligible to play for the Spartans in the 2012 season.
Arnett decided to leave after his freshman season with the Vols to be closer to his home in Saginaw, Mich. Originally UT would grant Arnett a release to only Central Michigan, Eastern Michigan and Western Michigan, but an unconditional release opened up Michigan and Michigan State as options.
Dooley said Tuesday a series on one-on-one conversations with Arnett helped cause the change.
MSU was one of Arnett’s finalists before he eventually picked UT. He caught 24 passes for 242 yards and two touchdowns this season, mostly as the Vols’ slot receiver. A handful of his former UT teammates wished Arnett well on Twitter throughout the day Thursday.