Jeremy Pruitt talks Brandon Kennedy's season-ending knee injury

Tennessee offensive lineman Brandon Kennedy had high hopes after becoming a graduate transfer from Alabama this summer. After just one game where Kennedy showed promise as Tennessee's starting center, Kennedy's hopes were dashed Tuesday on the practice field after suffering a knee injury.

Sources told Volquest that Kennedy is expected to miss the remainder of the season, with Tennessee head coach Jeremy Pruitt confirming the news Wednesday evening.

"Unfortunately we lost Brandon Kennedy for the season," Pruitt said. "Leg kind. Kind of standing on his feet there. No one really rolled up on him. Just unfortunate for him."

Pruitt later noted that Kennedy suffered a non-contact ACL injury — hurting the same leg that cost Kennedy most of the 2017 season at Alabama.

Last fall, Kennedy suffered a broken leg during practice, forcing him to miss the remainder of the season. Looking for a fresh start, both he and fellow Crimson Tide offensive lineman Dallas Warmack chose to leave Tuscaloosa. Warmack ended up at Oregon with former Alabama offensive line coach Mario Cristobal, while Kennedy chose Tennessee over Auburn after the SEC voted to change its transfer rules for graduates following the SEC spring meetings in Destin.

"First off it was my degree," Kennedy said in early August. "Sports psychology is a big thing for me. I also know it was a great opportunity to come here and play football. "

Kennedy has one year of eligibility remaining after this season and Pruitt told the grad transfer to get ready for 2019.

"He's got another year," Pruitt said. "He's been through this before. He gets an opportunity to get another degree. He seems to be in good spirits. I know our staff and players have all really respected Brandon since he's been here. How he's worked and went about his business."