The headline on the story Volquest.com’s John Brice wrote Tuesday morning told it all: “Warren wins! Warren wins! Warren wins!”All Brandon Warren really wanted was to come home and be with his sick mother.
And now Warren has prevailed on his appeal to the NCAA to be able to play with the Tennessee Vols after transferring from Florida State.
The NCAA Membership Services staff notified UT associate athletics director Brad Bertani on Tuesday morning that it had approved Tennessee's waiver requests on behalf of sophomore tight end.
"I just want to thank the coaching staff for going out on a limb for me and understanding the circumstances I have been in and obstacles I have had to go through," Warren said. "I also thank the university and the NCAA for giving me this chance."
Warren has been practicing with the Vols and is now eligible to play against the UCLA Bruins in Los Angeles on Labor Day Sept. 1.
And now Warren has prevailed on his appeal to the NCAA to be able to play with the Tennessee Vols after transferring from Florida State.
The NCAA Membership Services staff notified UT associate athletics director Brad Bertani on Tuesday morning that it had approved Tennessee's waiver requests on behalf of sophomore tight end.
"I just want to thank the coaching staff for going out on a limb for me and understanding the circumstances I have been in and obstacles I have had to go through," Warren said. "I also thank the university and the NCAA for giving me this chance."
Warren has been practicing with the Vols and is now eligible to play against the UCLA Bruins in Los Angeles on Labor Day Sept. 1.
Tennessee head coach Phillip Fulmer said, "I'm really excited for Brandon. I appreciate his hard work while he has been here getting his academics in order.
"I also appreciate the work of our compliance staff and the Southeastern Conference, and the wisdom of the NCAA staff of approving this for a quality young man. The whole system is about helping student-athletes be successful, and it's good to see they are making that happen."
This gives Tennessee a special player at a time when the Vols needed him most.
Tight end Jeff Cottam will have surgery on his back Wednesday and is expected to miss six to eight weeks.
Coach Phillip Fulmer said Cottam has been having problems with his back for some time. Cottam also missed part of spring practice after breaking a bone in his right leg.
Warren is a former Tennessee Mr. Football award winner, who shunned the big Orange to sign with the legendary Bobby Bowden at Florida State in 2007. He will now play in Neyland Stadium just a short jaunt from his home in Alcoa.
Warren returned home to Alcoa to be with his mother, Deirdre, who had cancer. But Florida State blocked efforts for him to transfer to Tennessee. He sat out the 2007 season, but has still had problems getting his release from FSU and the Atlantic Coast Conference.
Southeastern Conference commissioner Mike Slive referred the matter to the NCAA for review.
Warren attended Pellissippi State Community College in Knoxville while sitting out a year of competition. There he made the necessary strides in the classroom to be admitted to Tennessee.
Warren returned home to Alcoa to be with his mother, Deirdre, who had cancer. But Florida State blocked efforts for him to transfer to Tennessee. He sat out the 2007 season, but has still had problems getting his release from FSU and the Atlantic Coast Conference.
Southeastern Conference commissioner Mike Slive referred the matter to the NCAA for review.
Warren attended Pellissippi State Community College in Knoxville while sitting out a year of competition. There he made the necessary strides in the classroom to be admitted to Tennessee.
Warren will have three years left to play for Tennessee. But, he's the type player who may not be in Knoxville long. Warren has NFL potential.
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