What will recent arrests mean to both Arkansas and Tennessee?
Another week, another bunch of arrests in the world of college football.
TENNESSEE: This week, the Tennessee Vols tight end Cameron Clear was arrested on a felony theft charge involving a laptop, according to the Atlanta Journal-Consititution, and the Tennessee Vols has dismissed him from the team.
The sophomore tight end has one reception and four receiving yards in his Volunteers career.
WHAT THIS MEANS: The biggest pain in the neck with Clear’s arrest is that it hits embattled Vols coach badly on the depth chart. Clear was meant to be No.2 on the chart, and now he’s not there anymore. Now, it’s going to be up to Brendan Downs to do the job alongside senior Mychal Rivera to do blocking for Tyler Bray, who’s looking like the Vols’ starting QB for 2012. For the 2013 season – if he plays well, doesn’t get injured and decides not to go pro – Downs is a shoo-in for the starting job.
ARKANSAS: Back in April, backup linebacker Tyler Gilbert was arrested following a residential burglary charge (not a great move when your program’s already under a huge amount of scrutiny following the Bobby Petrino affair). He’s been charged, suspended by his team, and we suspect he’ll be booted off if everything goes wrong.
WHAT THIS MEANS: After seeing Arkansas’ defense last year – and knowing who the Razorbacks play in the SEC West – they need as many linebackers and defensive ends as they can must – particularly when the likes of Alabama’s Eddie Lacy is going to run deep in their heart. Although we don’t think this could be a particularly damaging loss for the program, the worry for Arkansas will be if there is a string of injuries to the team. Then they’ll be seething.