Tennessee linebacker Kwauze “Pack” Garland will miss the entirety of the 2023 season due to injury, Vols’ coach Josh Heupel announced Tuesday.
“There’s one guy that won’t be with us this fall— (Kwauze) Pack Garland,” Heupel said Tuesday. “Just from the injury last fall he hasn’t gotten himself in a position where he’s cleared. It’s not because he hasn’t been putting in the work it’s just him and the process he’s had to go through with that injury. He’ll be a part of our program but won’t be playing this fall.”
Garland suffered an injury early in the 2022 season and miss the remainder of the season after recording a tackle in the Vols’ season opening win over Ball State.
The Conyers, Georgia native came to Tennessee as a walk-on safety in 2019 before transitioning to a linebacker and earning a scholarship before the 2020 season.
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Playing in 18 games in four years at Tennessee, Garland served as a special teams player and reserve linebacker for the Vols. Kwauze is the brother of Tennessee defensive tackle Kurott Garland .
Tennessee is otherwise healthy besides Kwauze Garland. The Vols could have players sidelined to open fall camp due to minor injuries without long term concern, but Heupel said no one else enters camp with serious injury concerns.
“We’re in a pretty good spot,” Heupel said.
Tennessee opens fall practice Wednesday morning before opening up its 2023 season against Virginia in Nashville on Sept. 2. Stay tuned to RockyTopInsider.com for full coverage of Tennessee fall camp.
