TE Warren gets clearance to play for UT

From NCAA College Football Information & Resource

August 22, 2008

Tight end Brandon Warren has been cleared to play for the Tennessee Volunteers this upcoming season.

The NCAA gave their decision to allow Warren, who previously suited up for Florida State as a freshman in 2006, Tuesday which makes him eligible for the Vols' season-opener at UCLA.

"It's been a long process, a long, stressful process for me and my family," Warren said. "I finally get to get a good night's sleep."

UT offensive coordinator Dave Clawson said he was relieved to hear the news since he has been preparing his offensive gameplan with Warren on it.

“We were hoping for this ruling for a while,” Clawson said. “We certainly were planning as if we would have it. So it’s almost more relief than jubilation. We thought that this would happen because it’s the right thing to do, and the NCAA acted accordingly.”

After catching 27 passes for 301 yards as a freshman All-American tight end at FSU, Warren decided to transfer early in 2007 in order to tend to his mother, who was diagnosed with cancer in 2005. Unfortunately, he wasn't released from his scholarship and beause he was not a full-time student that year, he needed waivers to play during the 2008 season and receive financial aid. He maintained his eligibility by attending classes at Pellissippi State Technical Community College.

Because of the previous uncertainty concerning Warren's status, Clawson prepared other alternatives, such as using junior Jeff Cottam as a starter or even sophomore back-up Luke Stocker. Cottam eventually decided to have surgery to try to correct a nagging back injury.

An Alcoa native, Warren was named as the 2005 Class 2A Mr. Football before emerging to become one of the state's top recruits in 2006.

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