When Nashville native Tanner Antonutti committed to Tennessee two summers ago, he called it “a dream come true.”

Sadly for Antonutti, that dream was dashed in a matter of months on Tennessee’s campus this past summer, as a severe back injury — multiple bulging discs — have forced the former Ensworth lineman to retire from the game.

“My dream to play in Neyland was taken away by injury but I can not thank Coach Pruitt enough for giving me the opportunity to be a student coach,” Antonutti told Volquest as the next early signing period approaches on Wednesday.

Antonutti signed with fellow linemen Jahmir Johnson, Ollie Lane and Jerome Carvin. Johnson and Carvin saw action and started several games this past season. Lane redshirted and hopes to see action this spring.

Antonutti was relegated to shorts and a T-shirt during fall camp. He would ultimately get the news that his back was in for too much pain to continue playing the game. That’s when Pruitt stepped in and offered him a chance to help in a different way. A resolution that still sees Antonutti get his degree and keeps him around the game as a student assistant coach.

“I have not met a more honest coach through out my football career,” Antonutti said of Pruitt.

“He promised that I was going to get my degree no matter what ,and not only is he letting me get my degree. I also get the privilege to learn under his coaching staff and continue to be a part of what I love so much. My love for Tennessee, Vol Nation, and anyone who is involved with Tennessee remains strong. I am still giving my all for Tennessee!”

So what does it mean for Pruitt and the program? Antonutti will remain on academic scholarship but will not count toward the scholarship number of 85 for football. The football program was granted his initial scholarship back from last season.

In Pruitt’s first class, he took three graduate transfers which have to count as one of your 25 yearly signees at some point. If your class is full, then they have to count forward into the next year. With Antonutti receiving a medical hardship, Pruitt now has more flexibility with his numbers in the class of 2019.

Moving forward, the time with a clipboard has made Antonutti a true student of the game. It’s opened his eyes to coaching and shown him all that goes into each practice and game.

“I’ve learned how much really goes into football itself - the time and effort the coaches put into the game and to making the players better,” Antonutti said. “From a coaching stand point, I’ve learned how to evaluate players and opponents. Different players need to be coached in different ways.”

And his time doesn’t just end after this one season. He will be a regular in the hallways of the football facility.

“Over these next three years. I hope to just keep learning more about the game from the coaches - just be a sponge,” Antonutti said.

“Hopefully, when I’m done here I can be coach. I grew up a UT fan. My whole life I wanted to be Vol. While it’s disappointing that I’m not able to play anymore, there’s no doubt I’m lucky to be able to still be involved with the team.”