KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Less than 24 hours after concluding their penultimate outing in Neyland Stadium, a total 15 Tennessee football student-athletes journeyed to the university’s Student Union, to celebrate their accomplishments in the classroom as part of their own commencement ceremony.
Due to the Volunteers’ away contest at Auburn on Nov. 21, members of the football team were unable to participate in the scheduled on-campus graduations for their respective programs.
Catty-corner from where the now UT graduates spent many of their Saturdays in the fall, Chancellor Donde Plowman, Director of Athletics Phillip Fulmer and head coach Jeremy Pruitt recognized the academic milestones of the following December graduates: Jordan Allen, Baylen Buchanan, LaTrell Bumphus, Matthew Butler, Ty Chandler, Kenneth George Jr., Brandon Johnson, Deandre Johnson, Jahmir Johnson, Brandon Kennedy, Austin Pope, Trey Smith and Dawson Stephens.
Additionally, Ja’Quain Blakely and Carlin Fils-Aime, who completed their degrees in the summer of 2020, also participated in Sunday’s commencement.
As families cheered during the socially-distant celebration, the Vols walked across the stage filled with pride for completing one part of their mission as student-athletes.
“It’s a great feeling right now and I’m just thankful for the accomplishment,” said graduate linebacker Deandre Johnson, who is the first member of his father’s family to earn a college degree. “I’m glad everybody pushed me to get this far. I’ve enjoyed the family environment, the people and close friends that I’ve made while I was here.”
Chancellor Plowman offered a message of perseverance, acknowledging the graduates for exhibiting the Volunteer spirit through the uncertainty of the 2020 season and providing a light for the university, Knoxville and Tennessee.
“You represent the best of what our state and country have to offer,” Plowman said.
Fulmer echoed similar sentiments and reminded the graduates to remember their Vol family even after their lives take them in different directions.
“This is not an end, but a beginning to your journey,” Fulmer said. “We are all Vols for life. Come back and see us often.”
Those words resonated especially with Smith, who expressed a deep gratitude for his time in Knoxville.
“I’m just so thankful that I was able to represent my home state’s flagship institution for the last few years both on and off the field, and I’m happy that I was able to accomplish my goals in the classroom first and foremost,” Smith said. “I know I’ve made my mother and all of my family proud. It’s been quite a journey, but at the end of the day, I’m a Vol and that means so much to me. Knoxville will always be a special place, another home.”
Pruitt rounded out the speakers for the day with a heartfelt message to the young men in his program and their families.
“As a father, I know the difficult decisions and sacrifices you have made along this journey, particularly during this unique year. Thank you for entrusting our staff with your son’s future. Despite the challenges presented by COVID-19, you never wavered in the pursuit of the ultimate goal, earning a degree from the University of Tennessee. Our staff is so proud of you for your achievement.”
A total of 15 Vols will wear the SEC graduate patch the next time Tennessee takes the field, including earlier graduates Jarrett Guarantano and Velus Jones Jr. The Vols take on Vanderbilt at 4 p.m. ET Saturday in Nashville. The contest will be televised live on SEC Network.
Vols Football 2020 Graduates
Jordan Allen — Sociology
Ja’Quain Blakely – Sociology (summer 2020)
Baylen Buchanan – Communication Studies
LaTrell Bumphus — Communication Studies
Matthew Butler — Political Science
Ty Chandler — Recreation & Sport Management
Carlin Fils-aime – Communication Studies (summer 2020)
Kenneth George Jr. — Communication Studies
Brandon Johnson — Communication Studies
Deandre Johnson — Communication Studies
Jahmir Johnson — Communication Studies
Brandon Kennedy — Agricultural Leadership, Education, & Communications*
Austin Pope — Communication Studies
Trey Smith — Recreation & Sport Management
Dawson Stephens — Sociology
* – denotes master’s degree
-UT Athletics
