For the most part -- well, except for that pesky NCAA thing and the whole AD-jumping-ship -- it’s been a relatively quiet offseason for the Tennessee football program.
Unfortunately for the Vols, that quiet’s been replaced by a mildly irritating bit of legal noise.
The Knoxville News Sentinel‘s Austin Ward reported earlier today that senior linebacker Austin Johnson was arrested early Sunday morning and charged with public intoxication and disorderly conduct. The arrest was made by the Knoxville Police Department, although the details of what led to the charges have yet to be released.
The school, though, is aware of the incident.
“We’re aware of an incident involving Austin,” Stanton said. “We’re in the process of investigating it for additional information.”
Johnson has played in 31 games during his time in Knoxville, including 13 last season, but has yet to start a single game. He played fullback for his first two seasons with the Volunteers before moving to linebacker last year.
Johnson is just the second Vol to find himself on the wrong side of the law in 2011; in February, starting defensive back Brent Brewer arrested on a domestic assault charge and indefinitely suspended. A month later, he was reinstated to the football program.