Josh Heupel updates the availability of Dee Williams, Juwan Mitchell ahead of Tennessee-Akron

For Tennessee fans in hopes of hearing great news on Dee Williams and Juwan Mitchell, unfortunately, head coach Josh Heupel really didn’t have much to say regarding either. Of course, both players have yet to see a single snap for the Volunteers thus far this season.

Four-star defensive back Dee Williams out of Forsyth, GA was the nation’s No. 5 overall JuCO prospect on 2022, according to the On3 Consensus, a complete and equally weighted industry-generated average. On3 ranks Hunter as the No. 3 JuCo overall and the second-ranked cornerback among Junior College prospects in 2022. Meanwhile, Mitchell is more of a journeyman, developing into a solid piece for the Vols and is now a fifth-year senior linebacker.

So a pair of experienced defensive players that absolutely have an impact on that side of the ball for Tennessee. Guys that everybody would love to have back. Perhaps they’ll return this week? Possibly, but don’t get too excited, Vols fans. Because Coach Heupel was pretty coy when asked about the two of them, who are each out with undisclosed injuries.

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“Hopefully that we’ll have both of those guys on Saturday,” he responded. “We’ll see, you know, tomorrow and Saturday, where those guys are at and their availability for the football game.”

It’s nice to hear that both guys could potentially play Saturday against Akron, especially if the two of them to get their feet wet before the following three games, with Florida, LSU and Alabama waiting for their turn vs. Tennessee.

Josh Heupel could very well be brewing on that exact decision this week for Williams and Mitchell.