TUSCALOOSA—It doesn’t look good for Tennessee, when it comes to players heading into its rivalry game against Alabama. The Volunteers are depleted on defense with losing Jalen Reeves-Maybin (shoulder) and Danny O’Brien (dismissed) for the season. Cameron Sutton (ankle) is missing an extended amount of time and despite Darrin Kirkland, Jr. (ankle) attending practice, it will be a game-time decision for him against Alabama.
Tennessee will be without center Dylan Weisman (head) and coach Butch Jones hopes to have running back Jalen Hurd this week, after he sustained an injury against Georgia. Even with much of the team in the infirmary, sophomore Preston Williams felt the need to deliver another setback for the Volunteers.
According to a report from Volquest, Williams decided to transfer from the program.
The 6-foot-4, 209-pound wide receiver was one of Tennessee’s rising stars. He brought in seven passes for 158 yards and two touchdowns in 2015, while snatching nine balls for 89 yards this season.
Williams enrolled as a five-star prospect via 247Sports Composite and Scout recruiting networks. He was a huge pickup for the Vols in the ESPN 300 recruiting database, and was one of the guys that Jones thought would build chemistry with Joshua Dobbs. A spirited crowd will be at Neyland Stadium nonetheless, but an undermanned Tennessee unit is going to have a difficult time creating opportunities against the Crimson Tide.
Stephen M. Smith is a senior analyst and columnist for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @Smsmith_TDALMag.
