Tennessee Suspends Starting DT Danny O’Brien ahead of Oklahoma Showdown

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

If there was one word that could easily describe the 2015 college football season from fall camp to Week 2 of the schedule for the University of Tennessee it would have to be adversity. The Volunteers were one of the teams on the rise after finishing 7-6 in 2014 but have already been dealt their fair share of adversity in the young season.

On Wednesday the Vols went through another setback after head coach Butch Jones announced the indefinite suspension of defensive tackle Danny O’Brien.

O’Brien is one of eight starters on defense the Volunteers returned for the 2015 but will be without the 6’2”, 286 pound, tackle after he broke unspecified team rules. Jones was unclear how long O’Brien’s suspension would last stating, “I don’t want to sit here and tell you it’s one game. I don’t want to sit here and tell you it’s six games. It’s going to be the ebb and flow and it could be ever changing.”

The junior lineman started last week against Bowling Green coming up with two tackles and a sack. In 2014 O’Brien had 21 tackles and 4.5 tackles for a loss in 11 games.

Volunteers’ defensive coordinator John Jancek is expected to start senior Owen Williams and junior Kendal Vickers against No. 19 Oklahoma this weekend. O’Brien’s absence on the field puts a greater amount of pressure on true freshman tackles Shy Tuttle and Kahlil McKenzie to be early season contributors.

Jones is gaining a national reputation for being a disciplinarian. O’Brien’s suspension is the second straight week he has suspended a starter for violation of team rules. In Week 1 Alton Howard sat out but is expected to play against the Sooners on Saturday.

The Volunteers have gone through several injuries losing starting offensive guard Marcus Jackson and his backup Austin Sanders due to injury. Starting safety LaDarrell McNeil will miss a second consecutive game with a neck injury but is expected to return in Week 3 against Western Carolina.

Tennessee also lost a key secondary contributor Rashaan Gaulden due to a foot injury for the season during fall camp. Cornerback Justin Martin, receiver Marquez North, and defensive end LaTroy Lewis battled various injuries throughout camp setting the squad back even more before entering the season.

Photo credit: Michael Patrick, Knoxville News; No. 95 Danny O’Brien lines up with teammates after beating Bowling Green 59-30 in Week 1.