Tennessee offensive lineman Trey Smith stands on the sideline during the Orange and White spring game on April 21 at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville.
Tennessee football coach Jeremy Pruitt, shown during SEC Media Days last month in Atlanta, said he sees redshirt junior linebacker Darrin Kirkland Jr. making progress every day in preseason practices. Kirkland missed all of last season due to a knee injury.Jeremy Pruitt begins his SEC Media Days debut here in Atlanta pic.twitter.com/KNd0lqkKR5
— David Cobb (@DavidWCobb) July 18, 2018
ATLANTA - Tennessee football coach Jeremy Pruitt brought relief to Volunteers fans Wednesday at SEC Media Days when he gave encouraging reports on two players who could figure prominently into his effort to revitalize the program.
Pruitt said highly touted freshman linebacker JJ Peterson is "absolutely" expected to be enrolled for the beginning of preseason practice. Pruitt also shared that star sophomore offensive lineman Trey Smith "is going to be back this fall" after missing spring practices with an undisclosed health condition.
"We're excited to have him back," Pruitt said. "We can't wait to get him back, and he's excited about coming back. He keeps talking to me about, 'Man, I missed all of those reps in the spring.' I said, 'I promise you, you'll be fine.'"
Sports Illustrated recently named Smith one of the nation's top 100 college football players after he started every game for Tennessee as a true freshman in 2017.
Peterson, meanwhile, is the crown jewel of Pruitt's hastily assembled 2018 recruiting class.
The linebacker from Colquitt County, Georgia, chose the Volunteers over Alabama. He did not enroll in either summer school session, which raised questions about his future with the program.
"He's got a few things he's cleaning up that we're waiting on to get some information back," Pruitt said. "We expect to see him in August."
No-tolerance policy
Two days after suspending sophomore linebacker Ryan Thaxton following Thaxton's arrest on charges of domestic assault and false imprisonment, Pruitt shared his policy on violence against women.
"We all are very aware of what went on," Pruitt told local reporters before taking the stage at SEC Media Days. "Obviously, we suspended a guy. We're not going to condone it and we're not going to tolerate it. Once we gather all the information, we'll have a little more answers then."
Thaxton was arrested by the University of Tennessee Police Department on Sunday night and booked into the Knox County Jail, according to a Sheriff's Office spokesperson. It is the first publicized incident of violence toward women involving a Tennessee football player since Pruitt became the head coach in December.
Pruitt said Wednesday that players participate in a weekly wellness class about how to treat women. The class also touches on issues of drugs, alcohol and weapons, he said.
Kennedy 'great addition'
Pruitt pointed out Wednesday that only two players have left the Vols program since he took over as coach in December. Still, he acknowledged there were some "holes" and "depth issues" with the roster. Those have been at least partially addressed with graduate transfers such as quarterback Keller Chryst, running back Madre London and offensive lineman Brandon Kennedy.
Kennedy is the most recent addition to that group and has two years of eligibility remaining after graduating following his redshirt sophomore season at Alabama.
"I think it says a lot about a guy that graduates early, gets his degree and still has two years of eligibility left," Pruitt said. "So he's obviously a smart guy. He was a really good competitor when I was at Alabama. He was in the rotation, played some and unfortunately got hurt. So we're excited to have him, and I think he'll be a great addition for our offensive line."
Pruitt likes Jennings
Pruitt continues to commend redshirt junior wide receiver Jauan Jennings, who was kicked off the team near the end of last season after a profanity-laced tirade. The new coaching staff placed conditions on Jennings' return to the team, and Pruitt said "he's done exactly what I've asked him to do."
"I really like Jauan," Pruitt said. "I like his competitive edge. He wants to be good. He wants his team to be good."
Contact David Cobb at dcobb@timesfreepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @DavidWCobb and on Facebook at facebook.com/volsupdate.