Boulware out; more bowl notes
Tennessee head coach Butch Jones announced on Tuesday that the Vols will be without offensive lineman Venzell Boulware for the Vols Music City Bowl match-up against Nebraska.
“Venzell Boulware will not be available for the bowl game due to academics,” Jones announced. “Venzell is a great young man. He will be better for it. He has still practiced and he has had one of the best bowl practices that anyone had but due to academics he will not be available.”
Boulware will be back for the spring semester and for spring practice according to Jones and the head coach said the redshirt freshman will be better for it.
“First of all, he has a great mother and a great foundation. He understands. It's going back and seeing where did we go wrong. How do we make things better. The thing I like about him is that he's been very realistic and up front. We all know he's a great person. It's like your children sometimes it takes something like this. He will be better for it and I know he will bounce back.”
With Boulware out of the line-up, Jones said nothing really changes with his offensive line. Dylan Weisman is back healthy and Jones said Jack Jones has made real strides.
“It doesn't really change much. I think another individual who has had a very good two weeks of preparations is Jack Jones. I think Jack Jones has really done a good job and obviously getting Dylan Weisman back as well, who had to miss a couple of games. Having him back has helped us.”
CLEAR YOUR MIND
After a Tuesday morning workout, the Vols cleared out of Knoxville to go be with their families. The squad will return to Knoxville on Christmas Eve to spend Christmas together before going to Nashville on December 26th. Jones said the time away from football is very much needed for his team.
“I think it's very beneficial,” Jones said. “First and foremost, our football program is based on family. I do think they need a mental break as well. It's been a long, long season. Then when you tie in the rigors of academics and exams. Then being here while nobody else is on campus. Having a pro mentality now where it's all football. I do think you need time time to clear your mind, relax and enjoy your family. I expect to see and even more energized football team when we come back on the 24th.
“I thought it was important to let them go home for a few days to be around their families. The gameplan is in place. If we had to play tomorrow we could do that. It's been a really productive time.”
NOT MAILING IT IN
One of the hottest topics around the country in college football is players like Leonard Fournette and Christian McCaffrey opting to not play in their bowl games to prep for the NFL draft. Jones said on Tuesday in addressing the topic that every players situation is different, but also noted how much he appreciates Derek Barnett's approach.
“The upmost respect,” Jones said. “I will give you an example. There was an individual here waiting to see him the other day. He didn't want to speak with him because he didn't want to miss his weight room workout. He's very, very driven. It's all in how you approach this bowl preparation. Derek has approached this bowl preparation as another opportunity to get better. Another opportunity to perfect his craft and another opportunity to get stronger in the weight room. I think those elements speak volumes for what Derek Barnett stands for.”