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Florida football: Bryce Thompson available for Tennessee

By Matthew Clark

ATHENS, GA - SEPTEMBER 29: Head Coach Jeremy Pruitt of the Tennessee Volunteers discusses a play with Bryce Thompson #20 during the game against the Georgia Bulldogs on September 29, 2018 in Athens, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images)
ATHENS, GA - SEPTEMBER 29: Head Coach Jeremy Pruitt of the Tennessee Volunteers discusses a play with Bryce Thompson #20 during the game against the Georgia Bulldogs on September 29, 2018 in Athens, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images) /
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A few days after giving an “I haven’t decided,” Tennessee head coach Jeremy Pruitt broke his silence about cornerback Bryce Thompson and Florida football.

Earlier this week, Tennessee head coach Jeremy Pruitt said he hadn’t decided whether cornerback Bryce Thompson would be available for Saturday’s game at Florida football.

Well, that is now been decided.

Pruitt said the sophomore corner would be available for the game against No. 8 Florida, according to GoVols247.com.

Pruitt said Thompson would travel to Gainesville with the team, but did not say whether he would start, or actually play.

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.

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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.

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.

Lifting Thompson’s suspension and suggesting he may play against Florida could be smoke and mirrors, or it could be a way for Pruitt to battle off the hot seat after the Volunteers lost the first two games of the season to Georgia State and BYU.

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Florida football will host Tennessee at noon Saturday at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

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