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It’s been a rough few weeks for Tennessee as five-star in-state quarterback Ty Simpson announced his commitment to Alabama over the Volunteers, a trio of players were arrested and later suspended by Josh Heupel and now comes word that the program has been temporarily shut down.
The issue at Tennessee?
Positive COVID tests and contract tracing according to Knoxville-based Sports Animal radio host Jimmy Hyams. Hyams also notes the team’s offensive line was shut down and isolated from the rest of the team last week.
Tennessee has not yet started spring practice and is scheduled to begin on Tuesday, March 23. According to Hyams, Tennessee’s football program is currently scheduled to reopen on Monday, March 22.
The Vols are scheduled to play the upcoming Orange & White Game on Saturday, April 24 in Neyland Stadium.
UPDATE: Tennessee has confirmed the news and released the following statement.
The Tennessee football program has temporarily paused all team activities out of an abundance of caution after its recent rounds of COVID-19 surveillance testing revealed multiple positive tests among staff members and student-athletes.
Upon learning of the positive results, the staff members and student-athletes immediately self-isolated and are taking the appropriate safety measures in accordance with university, CDC and local health department guidelines.
A graduate of the University of Tennessee, Michael Wayne Bratton oversees the news coverage for Saturday Down South. Michael previously worked for FOX Sports and NFL.com
