Tennessee OT Gerald Mincey arrested Thursday, cited for simple possession

Tennessee Volunteers offensive lineman Gerald Mincey was cited for simple possession, per the 60-day UT crime logs. Ryan Schumpert of Rocky Top Insider first reported.

The citation occurred on Thursday, September 14th on the edge of campus in Knoxville on Cumberland Avenue at Henley Street. The disposition is also noted as being an arrest.

Simple possession in the state of Tennessee refers to being in possession of a controlled substance. The amount of that substance would also be considered the amount one would have for personal use. There were no other details about the incident readily available and Tennessee has not yet commented on the incident.

A right tackle, Mincey transferred to Tennessee from Florida ahead of the 2022 season. Since getting to Knoxville, he has earned the playing time that he’s gotten. He was a three-star recruit in the 2020 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Rankings. To this point in the 2023 season, he’s played 75 snaps, splitting time at both tackle positions.

Gerald Mincey did not play on offense during Tennessee’s loss to Florida on Saturday night. However, he did make the trip with the team.

After the game, head coach Josh Heupel addressed Mincey’s absence, saying that it was the team’s decision to go with JJ Crawford in his place.

“Mincey, we just made a decision to go with JJ tonight,” Heupel said.

Crawford is the starter, according to Tennessee’s depth chart. However, there was an expectation that Mincey would split snaps with him during the Florida game, especially because he did dress for the game and was seen interacting with some of his former Florida teammates.

The Volunteers struggled on the ground, only rushing for 100 yards in the loss to Florida. The Gators also consistently pressured quarterback Joe Milton. Tennessee’s starting center, Cooper Mays, was banged up for the game and the loss of depth on the offensive line showed.

This offseason, Heupel praised Mincey and Crawford for their ability to replace Darnell Wright this season.

“We do have experience coming back. For us, Gerald Mincey and JJ Crawford both have played a ton of football at the left tackle position a year ago. … I anticipate those guys playing at a really high level. I feel really good about what we’ve done up front, continue to add depth,” Heupel said.

“When we took over the program, that was one of the positions we were probably a little bit deficient in as far as numbers, continue to add depth. Love where we’re at.”

Mincey is on the 2024 Reese’s Senior Bowl watchlist.