Tennessee without three players tonight, including one potential starter

The Tennessee Volunteers will be without three players, including potential starter Byron Young, for Thursday night’s game against Bowling Green, reports Jimmy Hyam.

Tennesseee defensive end Byron Young and wide receivers Ramel Keyton and Jimmy Holiday will not play against Bowling Green. Young’s absence is due to an eligibility issue. The receivers’ reason for absence is unknown but not injury related.

Young was listed as a potential starter for Tennessee at defensive end on the Week 1 depth chart released earlier this week. Byron Young was listed with an “Or” next his name alongside Tyler Baron, who will be the starter tonight.

Keyton and Holiday were not listed on the two deep at any of the wide receiver positions.

Byron Young is entering his first season at Tennessee after two years at Georgia Military College. Young did not play in 2020 due to COVID-19, but was able to practice. In 2019, Young recorded 31 tackles, 11.0 tackles for loss and seven sacks.

Keyton is entering his third season at Tennessee. Over the past two seasons, Keyton has played in 19 total games, making three starts in 2020. Coming out of high school, Keyton was a four-star prospect in the 2019 class from Marietta (GA.). As a senior Keyton recorded 44 receptions for 694 yards and 10 touchdowns, despite missing half the season due to injury. Keyton was expected to provide key depth in the 2021 season.

Holiday is entering his second year with the Volunteers. As a freshman, Holiday saw action in eight games at receiver and on special teams. Holiday played quarterback at Madison Central High School in Mississippi. In three seasons, Holiday threw for 3,507 yards and 37 touchdowns while rushing for 3,568 yards and 51 touchdowns.

New head coach Josh Heupel and the Tennessee Volunteers kick off their season on Thursday night against Bowling Green.

Thursday will also be the debut of Tennessee quarterback Joe Milton, who transferred in this offseason from Michigan.