Hail Florida Hail
Fansided

Florida football: Jeremy Pruitt not revealing Bryce Thompson’s status

By Matthew Clark

NASHVILLE, TN - NOVEMBER 24: Bryce Thompson #20 of the Tennessee Volunteers hits Ke'Shawn Vaughn #5 of the Vanderbilt Commodores in the helmet during the first half at Vanderbilt Stadium on November 24, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN - NOVEMBER 24: Bryce Thompson #20 of the Tennessee Volunteers hits Ke'Shawn Vaughn #5 of the Vanderbilt Commodores in the helmet during the first half at Vanderbilt Stadium on November 24, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

It’s a question of whether one of Tennessee’s best defenders will be ready for Saturday’s game with Florida football.

If Tennessee head coach Jeremy Pruitt knows, he’s not tipping his hand for Florida football.

Pruitt was asked Monday about the availability of sophomore cornerback Bryce Thompson to which he responded:

“I’ve not decided that,” he said, according to GoVols247.com.

Thompson was suspended from the team after he was arrested on misdemeanor domestic assault charges following an alleged argument with his girlfriend on Aug. 24.

It was reported that Thompson allegedly threatened to “slap the (expletive) out of (her)” and “shoot up the school,” according to witnesses, reported by GoVols.

Thompson is scheduled to make a preliminary court appearance Sept. 23, the Monday after the Volunteers play Florida football at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

Last week, Pruitt lifted Thompson’s indefinite suspension, but the cornerback did not play in Tennessee’s 45-0 win over UT-Chattanooga Saturday. He was also not present on the sidelines for the game.

Related Story. Game time set for Florida-Tennessee game. light

The Volunteers have started sophomore Alontae Taylor and freshman Warren Burrell in place of Thompson in the first two games. Kenneth George Jr. started ahead of both Taylor and Burrell against Chattanooga.

Because Thompson has not practiced with the team since his suspension, it is questionable as to whether Thompson would actually be ready to play, even if Pruitt wanted him to.

George is a junior college transfer who suffered a season-ending injury after the fourth game of the season last year. He also had some legal issues as he was suspended for part of the off-season following an alleged incident with Miami (Fla.) police during spring break, last March.

Linebacker arrested

In addition to not knowing the status of Thompson, the Tennessee defense was dealt another legal blow over the weekend.

The Knoxville News Sentinel reported sophomore linebacker Jeremy Banks was arrested early Sunday on a warrant for failure to appear in court.

He failed to appear in court in July after being cited for driving on a suspended license.

Sunday, he was released on $500 bond.

Banks was stopped by University of Tennessee police early Sunday morning for making an illegal U-turn. He received a written warning for the violation but was later arrested when police found out about the warrant.

Next. Gators lose Franks, beat Kentucky. dark

It is likely Banks will play against the Gators on Saturday afternoon.

Home/Florida Gators Football