Butch JonesKNOXVILLE – The punishment for Tennessee linebacker A.J. Johnson and defensive tackle Danny O’Brien will be handled internally, Volunteers coach Butch Jones said Tuesday.
The two players were arrested earlier this month at a party at an off-campus apartment and had their court dates late last week, and both will have all charges dropped against them by meeting certain requirements.
“I’ll handle all punishment inside,” Jones told the Times Free Press. “I’ll handle it inside and [determine] what is appropriate. I think lost in the whole mix is … we have great character kids if you look at our academic success that we’ve had, if you look at our community service hours.
“I’ll handle the appropriate means necessary with the players all involved.”
Johnson, an All-SEC performer and Tennessee’s leading tackler the past two seasons, was charged with purchasing alcohol for an underage person and resisting arrest, though that charge was dropped last Friday. Johnson must perform 24 hours of community service, pay court costs and have good conduct for 90 days to have the other charge dropped.