With fall camp starting in a couple days, Tennessee freshman wide receiver Preston Williams’ status is up in the air, according to a report.
The NCAA Clearinghouse red-flagged Williams' ACT score after a significant jump. His date to retake is expected to be set within 2 weeks.
— Jimmy Hyams (@JimmyHyams) July 31, 2015
Williams comes to Tennessee as one of the most decorated members of the 2015 signing class. The Lovejoy, Ga., native was ranked as a five-star prospect and the No. 29 overall player in the nation, according to 247Sports.
The 6-foot-4, 190-pound Williams posted 56 receptions for 1,402 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns as a junior in 2013, collecting numerous All-State honors in the process. His senior season was cut short by a torn ACL – an injury that he is still rehabbing from as the Vols get set to open camp on Tuesday.
At SEC Media Days, Tennessee coach Butch Jones said a plan was in place for Williams to get some work in during fall camp, but his health status, and now additionally his academic status, for the beginning of the regular season isn’t clear at this point.
Two other incoming freshmen – receiver Joc Bruce and tight end Kyle Oliver – have departed the program in the past week. The Vols lost defensive end Joe Henderson to academic/eligibility issues in 2014 before he ever played a down at Tennessee.
The Vols are hoping to get some productivity from Williams to bolster a group of receivers that has been hindered by injuries and inconsistency over the past couple years, but will have to wait at least a couple weeks to figure out if that will be possible.
