What started as some missed practice time due to NCAA Clearinghouse issues appears to have turned into a Tennessee career-ending issue for freshman defensive end Joe Henderson.
Henderson posted a good-bye message to Vol Nation via Twitter on Sunday morning, indicating that he’ll be moving on from Knoxville.
Appreciate all the love and support from all of VolNation. Time for the next chapter in my career. I wish UT the best of luck! #GoVols
— Joe Henderson Jr™ (@Talent_52) December 14, 2014
Henderson hasn’t practiced since October, when coach Butch Jones had these comments about the situation:
“He’s going through some academic requirements that must be met via the NCAA. That’s all I’m allowed to comment on…
“It’s an oddity in terms of what they’re using and the time frame. It’s unfortunate. It is what it is. It can happen at any stage of the game. As long as I’ve been a head coach, these things have happened. It’s a pretty common procedure at times. But you never know when the time frame is.”
Jones was then asked for an update on Henderson’s status, among others, as the Vols began preparation for the Jan. 2 TaxSlayer Bowl against Iowa in Jacksonville, Fla.
“It’s all speculation,” Jones said. “With Joe [Henderson], we’re finishing up on some things with the NCAA. We have a couple individuals right now that are trying to sort out what they want to do with their lives and what lies ahead of them. We’ll be supportive of them. If they decide they want to be a part of something special then, hey, let’s go. If they decide, ‘hey, this isn’t for me and I want to take another life path and go home or do this,’ then we’ll support that as well. But we want people that want to be here, that are committed to this football program, to the state of Tennessee, and the University of Tennessee.”
Henderson (6-4, 235) was a four-star prospect, according to 247Sports, out of Shaker Heights, Ohio. He didn’t play a snap for the Vols and appeared to be heading for a redshirt season before the academic issues popped up. Jones confirmed on Friday that freshman running back Derrell Scott is looking to transfer and has said that a few others are “up in the air” as they figure out their next step.
The Vols return to the practice field on Sunday at 3:40 pm ET.
