Lineman Venzell Boulware leaving Tennessee football program

October 3, 2017 at 1:00 a.m. | Updated October 3, 2017 at 1:22 a.m.

by David Cobb

Tennessee's Venzell Boulware (50) prepares to block on the play. The University of Massachusetts Minutemen visited the University of Tennessee Volunteers in NCAA football action in Knoxville on Sept. 23, 2017.
Tennessee's Venzell Boulware (50) prepares to block on the play. The University of Massachusetts Minutemen visited the University of Tennessee Volunteers in NCAA football action in Knoxville on Sept. 23, 2017.

Departing Vols

Venzell Boulware is the 11th player from Tennessee’s 2015 recruiting class to leave the team for one reason or another. Here is a list of them:WR Preston WilliamsQB Sheriron JonesDL Andrew ButcherOL Venzell BoulwareTE Kyle OliverDB Stephen GriffinDB Darrell MillerATH Vincent PerryATH Jocquez BruceP Tommy TownsendRB Joe Young

KNOXVILLE - Tennessee's offensive line has lost some muscle.

Redshirt sophomore offensive guard Venzell Boulware posted on Twitter on Monday that he is leaving the Tennessee program.

Boulware made his first start of the season at left guard in Tennessee's 17-13 win over Massachusetts two weeks ago but was not in the lineup this past Saturday as redshirt senior Brett Kendrick slid from right tackle to left guard in the 41-0 loss to Georgia.

"I would like to thank the University of Tennessee for giving me the opportunity to play here throughout the years," Boulware wrote. "After much prayer and consideration with my family, I've decided that it's best for me to pursue other options away from UT for the remainder of my collegiate career. Thanks to all who supported me and thanks to the wonderful fans of Vol Nation. God Bless!

photo Venzell Boulware

The 6-foot-3 offensive lineman from Union City, Ga., made four starts last season after redshirting in 2015. His departure leaves an unsettled offensive line with one fewer piece.

Tennessee entered the season with seven offensive linemen who had starting experience and two other young players - freshman Trey Smith and sophomore Marcus Tatum - challenging for playing time. The line was projected as a position of strength for an offense losing key playmakers at receiver, running back and quarterback from last year's team.

Before the season, the Volunteers lost starting right tackle Chance Hall for the season with an injury. Against Georgia, Tennessee's starting offensive line consisted of redshirt sophomore left tackle Drew Richmond, Kendrick, senior center Jashon Robertson, Smith at right guard and Tatum at right tackle.

Boulware is the 11th of the 29 enrollees from Tennessee's 2015 recruiting class to leave the program.

Game time set

Next week's Tennessee-South Carolina game will have a noon kickoff, the league announced Monday. The game will be televised by either ESPN or ESPN2. The Vols are off this Saturday.

Contact David Cobb at dcobb@timesfreepress.com.

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