Two rising juniors -- kicker James Wilhoit and defensive tackle Tony McDaniel -- are the latest spring casualties. All told, 12 Vols will be
sidelined or limited this spring.
Wilhoit recent underwent a surgical procedure to remove an extra bone from
his right (kicking) foot. He says the foot hurt when he kicked last season
and hints that it contributed to the fact his numbers slipped from 2003 to
2004. After hitting 17 of 24 field goal tries (70.8 percent) as a freshman,
he slipped to 10 of 17 (58.8 percent) as a sophomore last fall.
McDaniel, already suspended in connection with a pending assault charge, has
had his suspension suspended through spring drills. He was arrested and
charged with aggravated assault after allegedly decking a fellow student
with a single punch during a Jan. 12 pickup basketball game.
McDaniel's case has been reset for April 13, so it will not be resolved in
time for spring practice, which begins Thursday. In addition to his legal
difficulties, McDaniel must survive a review by the university's judicial
affairs council if he is to rejoin the Vols in time for preseason drills
this August.