Tennessee officially announced the addition of Georgia transfer DeAngelo Gibbs to its football team Monday, Jan. 21, 2019. (Philip Williams/Georgia)HOOVER, Ala. - Anybody expecting or hoping for an update on the pending eligibility of Tennessee's two transfer players will have to wait a little bit longer.
Coach Jeremy Pruitt didn't have an update on the transfer waivers of defensive lineman Aubrey Solomon from Michigan or receiver/defensive back DeAngelo Gibbs from Georgia, both of whom have applied to the NCAA for immediate eligibility.
NCAA rules say players have to sit out the initial season after a transfer, but being approved for the waiver would allow them to be able to play right away.
Tennessee filed the appeals weeks ago and still hasn't heard back, and while Pruitt hasn't become frustrated by the process, he admitted that it's possible the players have.
The Volunteers are expected to begin preseason camp at the beginning of August.
"We've not changed our approach," Pruitt said. "We usually practice with three or four teams anyhow. Everyone gets the same amount of reps. It's not frustrating to me. It might be to them, but it isn't to me."
While it's unclear exactly where Gibbs would play - he worked out at both receiver and in the secondary this spring - Solomon gaining immediate eligibility would help in a position of need. The defensive line, while talented, doesn't have much returning in experience after the graduation of four seniors. While Solomon wouldn't help with the experience factor - he would have three seasons remaining when eligible - he would provide another talented body.
Staff photo by C.B. Schmelter / Vols offensive lineman Trey Smith wants his teammates to know that he is still part of the team despite being unable to play because of recurring blood clots.Trey Smith update
There also wasn't much Pruitt could offer about offensive lineman Trey Smith, whose status is still to be determined after the discovery of blood clots twice last year.
Smith, who was a Freshman All-American in 2017, has been working out and preparing as though he will be able to play.
"Trey, we're in the process with our doctors," Pruitt said. "Trey wants to play football, and they're in the process of figuring out a plan so he can be able to do that."
Just the fact that the 6-foot-6, 337-pounder, who was nominated for the Allstate AFCA Good Works team on Tuesday, is still giving it a try hasn't gone unnoticed by his teammates. Quarterback Jarrett Guarantano, one of Smith's first roommates at Tennessee, said he really appreciated the fact that Smith was trying to get back.
Linebacker Daniel Bituli called it inspiring.
"We're really excited for him, and we have his back," he said.
Smith being able to play would provide the Vols with an additional quality body in a group that has struggled the past two seasons.
Contact Gene Henley at ghenley@timesfreepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @genehenley3 or at Facebook.com/VolsUpdate.