Pruitt: Will Ignont has left the team

Another day, another departure for the Tennessee football program. After linebacker Shanon Reid and receiver Jacquez Jones entered the transfer portal on Tuesday, linebacker Will Ignont has left the team today.

Jeremy Pruitt confirmed the news to open his press conference on Wednesday.

Ignont was not at practice yesterday, joining Reid and Jones. Unfortunately for Tennessee, the speculation ended up being true.

Ignont was the third linebacker on the inside, playing behind freshman Henry To’o To’o and senior Daniel Bituli. He started two games for Tennessee earlier this season, playing for the injured Bituli. When senior linebacker returned, Ignont’s playing time dropped off. He did not travel with the team to Gainesville this weekend.

What does this mean for Tennessee?

Tennessee is now faced with a serious issue of dwindling depth at inside linebacker. The Vols have two outstanding players as starters, but plenty of questions behind them. Jeremy Banks will likely settle into that first linebacker off the bench role, while a guy like J.J. Peterson now will get a chance to step up and get some snaps. Solon Page is another possibility. Maybe a guy like Aaron Beasley gets some work at linebacker and moves over from safety.

Tennessee is currently working through its open date ahead of a matchup next Saturday against the third-ranked Georgia Bulldogs.