Tennessee will be down one of their more experienced defensive players on Saturday afternoon when they take on the No. 9 Florida Gators.
According to Dan Harralson of Vols Wire, junior linebacker Will Ignont is not expected to play against Florida on Saturday. Harralson claims that according to “someone close to the situation,” Ignont will be out for Saturday’s contest. The report goes on to specify that Ignont is expected to play in UT’s next game against Georgia on October 5th, however.
No reason is given behind the expected absence of Ignont.
The 6-foot-1, 225-pound junior from Huntsville, Alabama has played and started for Tennessee through the first three weeks. He recorded a season-high eight tackles against BYU in the Vols’ Week 2 loss to the Cougars after totaling seven tackles and a pass breakup in Tennessee’s season opener against Georgia State.
Through three games this season, Ignont has 16 tackles, a pass breakup, and a quarterback hurry.
Ignont has played in 21 career games with the Vols counting his three contests this season, and he made two starts prior to this season. In those 21 appearances, Ignont has totaled 68 tackles, two tackles for loss, and a pass defended.
With Ignont’s reported absence, the Vols will likely start senior Daniel Bituli and freshman Henry To’o To’o at the two inside linebacker spots. Bituli made his 2019 season debut last week against UT-Chattanooga after recovering from a minor knee procedure late in fall camp. To’o To’o has been a starter for the Vols all season so far.
Bituli recorded two tackles, a quarterback hurry, and a pass breakup in his first game action of 2019 last week. Through three games, To’o To’o has 17 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, a quarterback hurry, and a pass breakup.
Tennessee and No. 9 Florida play at noon Eastern in Gainesville today. The game will be televised on ESPN.
