Butch Jones comments on freshman Joe Henderson’s absence from team
By Jason Hall
Published:
Tennessee coach Butch Jones confirmed Monday that freshman defensive end Joe Henderson is away from the team due to “academic requirements” after being pulled off the practice field.
“He was pulled from practice from the NCAA, so he’s going through some academic requirements that must be met via the NCAA,” Jones said during his weekly press conference Monday at Neyland Stadium. “That’s all I’m allowed to comment.”
The 6-foot-4, 234-pound freshman was a four-star prospect in the 2014 class and was redshirting this season– which was his intention since preseason camp after neededing to put on weight to contribute at defensive end. Jones admitted the timing of Henderson’s sudden academic issue is a bit unusual.
“It happens at different stages of the game,” Jones said. “It’s an oddity in terms of what they’re using and the time frame. It’s unfortunate, but it is what it is. But it can happen at any stage of the game, and as long as I’ve been a head coach, these things happen. It’s a pretty common procedure at times. But you never know when the time frame is.”
The former Shaker Heights High School (Shaker Heights, OH.,) recorded 14.5 sacks as a senior and finished with 23.5 sacks in his career. He made 52 tackles (21 for loss), forced three fumbles and had seven passes defended as a senior, leading the Raiders to their first playoff berth since 2005.
A former freelance journalist from Nashville, Jason covers Tennessee, Vanderbilt and Kentucky
