Aug. 19, 2008

The NCAA Membership Services staff notified UT associate athletics director Brad Bertani on Tuesday morning that it had approved Tennessee's waiver requests on behalf of sophomore tight end Brandon Warren.

The Alcoa native now is eligible to suit up and play for the Vols this season.

"I just want to thank the coaching staff for going out on a limb for me and understanding the circumstances I have been in and obstacles I have had to go through," Warren said. "I also thank the university and the NCAA for giving me this chance."

Head coach Phillip Fulmer added the following statement: "I'm really excited for Brandon. I appreciate his hard work while he has been here getting his academics in order.

"I also appreciate the work of our compliance staff and the Southeastern Conference, and the wisdom of the NCAA staff of approving this for a quality young man. The whole system is about helping student-athletes be successful, and it's good to see they are making that happen."