KNOXVILLE — In his first appearance with the media since suffering a hip injury in September, Tennessee’s Curt Maggitt had no announcement regarding his future with the Volunteers.
After missing nearly all of a second season, the fifth-year senior defensive end/linebacker could apply for a sixth year of eligibility and return to Tennessee next season, but he also may elect to make pursue his dream of playing in the NFL.
“Right now my biggest thing is making sure my guys are ready to get a nine-win season and me to get as healthy as possible before this bowl game,” Maggitt said following Tennessee’s practice on Tuesday for the Outback Bowl on New Year’s Day.
“As far as I can tell, there’s no exact date I’ve got to make a decision, so I’m going to wait till after the season and talk with my family and we’ll make a big decision.”
To receive a sixth year of eligibility, college football players have to have missed at least two full seasons due to reasons beyond their control, including injuries.
Maggitt sat out the entire 2013 season after tearing his ACL in the 10th game of the 2012 season, and his 2015 campaign lasted five quarters.
He chipped a bone in his hip during an Oklahoma punt in the second game of the season and hasn’t returned, and it’s unlikely he’ll play in the bowl, though he’s not ruling it out.
Maggitt also isn’t ruling out making an attempt to return for 2016.
“I’m grateful to play this game, and I want to play as long as God allows me,” he said. “As all kids, the NFL is a great dream, but I love this place, and I would never leave if I didn’t have to. It’s been a great time here.
“Like I said, I’ll talk to my family, and we’ll weigh some pros and cons. I’m a part of the H.R. department and getting my master’s (degree), so there’s a lot of pros and a lot of cons on either side.
“We’ll look at it when that time comes.”
Being granted a sixth year by the NCAA is typically a tricky proposition, and Maggitt said it’s not been indicated to him how good of a case he would have.
“I really haven’t sat down and looked to much into that,” he said.
Curt Maggitt (56) plays defense for the Volunteers. The Tennessee Volunteers hosted the Bowling Green Falcons at Nissan Stadium in Nashville Sept. 5, 2015.Maggitt is finally off crutches and doing limited on-field activity.
He joked he’s become an “intern” for defensive line coach Steve Stripling, and he was working with some other defensive linemen prior to his interview on Tuesday.
“It’s been a different season, definitely,” Maggitt said. “I had high expectations for myself and the team as well. I’ve been through some very tough times through this season.
“Thanks to the coaching staff and my teammates and the D-line room and linebacker room … they’ve just been helping me and allowing me to still be a big presence on the team.”
Whether he’ll remain a presence on next year’s team remains a mystery.
Contact Patrick Brown at pbrown@timesfreepress.com.