Daniel Bituli's time will come.
But the process of joining an NFL team will have to wait for a little while longer.
According to a report from GoVols247.com, the former University of Tennessee inside linebacker did not have his name announced during this past weekend's NFL draft in part due to a "knee situation" that caused him to get flagged and taken off a number of teams' draft boards. The current COVID-19 pandemic prevented NFL teams from having the opportunity to have their doctors check him out, but once things get sorted out - which the report suggests would be in "the next couple of weeks or so" - he will sign a free-agent contract.
Bituli led the Volunteers in tackles the past three seasons, including in 2019 despite missing two games due to preseason knee surgery. He had 88 tackles in his final season, with a career-high 19 coming in the team's come-from-behind win at Kentucky on Nov. 9.
Five other Vols did receive professional opportunities, including the program's first two draftees since the 2018 draft. Outside linebacker Darrell Taylor - who had 19.5 career sacks - was a second-round pick of the Seattle Seahawks, while receiver Jauan Jennings was selected in the seventh round by the San Francisco 49ers.
Receiver Marquez Callaway (New Orleans Saints), safety Nigel Warrior (Baltimore Ravens) and tight end Dominick Wood-Anderson (Seahawks) signed free-agent deals, giving Tennessee five players from the 2019 roster who earned NFL opportunities.
The expectation is for Bituli to soon join them.
UT football adds another commitment
Four-star safety Kamar Wilcoxson committed to the Tennessee football program Monday afternoon, continuing the Vols' recent momentum on the recruiting trail.
The 6-foot-1, 190-pounder, who attends IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, became the Vols' 12th commitment for the 2021 cycle and second in as many days, joining five-star defensive end Dylan Brooks, who pledged Sunday. Wilcoxson, rated the 13th-best safety in the class, twice committed to Florida before backing out both times.
His 247Sports.com recruiting page lists 31 offers, including Southeastern Conference programs Alabama, Auburn, Georgia, Kentucky, LSU, Mississippi State, South Carolina and Texas A&M.
Pons testing NBA waters
After a breakout junior season, Tennessee junior Yves Pons is putting his name in the NBA draft pool, according to a report from Stadium's Jeff Goodman.
The 6-foot-6, 215-pound junior swingman averaged 10.8 points and 5.4 rebounds per game last season, starting all 31 games for the Volunteers (17-14). Included in that was a breakout performance at Kansas, where he scored a career-high 24 points. He also blocked 73 shots, tying the program's single-season record set by former Brainerd High School star C.J. Black in 1997-98, and was named the SEC defensive player of the year.
Pons will be represented by Jaafar Choufani and Todd Ramasar, both NCAA-certified agents, meaning he can go through the draft process and obtain feedback while still being allowed to return for his senior season should he so choose if not drafted.
Prior to the 2019-20 season, Pons had scored 94 points in 59 games and had made just nine 3-pointers. Last season he made 30 3-pointers, connecting at a 35% rate.
Contact Gene Henley at ghenley@timesfreepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @genehenley3.