Whitehaven trio reunites at Neyland Stadium

Whitehaven trio of Bryson Eason, Tamarion McDonald and Martavius French reunite at Neyland Stadium.

The Whitehaven trio reunited at Neyland Stadium on Saturday.

Redshirt junior defensive lineman Bryson Eason and senior defensive back Tamarion McDonald of Tennessee defeated junior linebacker Martavius French of UTSA, 45-14, in Week 4. The trio signed with Tennessee in the 2020 recruiting class from Whitehaven High School in Memphis, Tennessee.

McDonald recorded seven tackles, two tackles for a loss, one sack and one interception, while Eason totaled three tackles and 0.5 tackles for a loss for the Vols against UTSA.

French totaled two tackles and one quarterback hurry for UTSA. He entered the NCAA transfer portal in April 2021. French transferred from Tennessee in May 2021 to Hutchinson Community College.

PHOTOS: Vols are victorious against UTSA at Neyland Stadium

Bryson Eason (20). Photo by Dan Harralson, Vols Wire
Tamarion McDonald (12). Photo by Dan Harralson, Vols Wire
Martavius French (10). Photo by Dan Harralson, Vols Wire

Former Tennessee linebacker signs with UTSA

A former Tennessee linebacker has signed with UTSA.

Former Tennessee linebacker Martavius French has transferred to UTSA.

“I signed with UTSA,” French announced. “Thanks to the schools that was open to give me a second chance!”

French transferred from Tennessee in May 2021 to Hutchinson Community College.

The 6-foot-2, 220-pound redshirt freshman linebacker totaled 60 tackles and 5.5 sacks in six contests at Hutchinson Community College during the 2021 campaign.

French signed in the Vols’ 2020 class from Whitehaven High School in Memphis, Tennessee.

UTSA head football coach Jeff Traylor on Monday announced that the program has added Martavius French, an all-conference linebacker from Hutchinson (Kan.) Community College, to the 2022 signing class.

KNOXVILLE, TN – SEPTEMBER 11, 2020 – Linebacker Martavius French #29 of the Tennessee Volunteers during 2020 Fall Camp practice on Haslam Field in Knoxville, TN. Photo By Caleb Jones/Tennessee Athletics

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Tennessee linebacker enters NCAA transfer portal

A Tennessee linebacker has entered the NCAA transfer portal.

Tennessee concluded spring football practices April 24 with its annual Chevrolet Orange & White Game under first-year head coach Josh Heupel.

Following spring practices, redshirt-freshman linebacker Martavius French announced he has entered the NCAA transfer portal.

The 6-foot-3, 230-pound French made his announcement Friday on Twitter.

French, Isaac Washington, Kaidon Salter and Aaron Willis were suspended in March and did not participate in spring practices.

The student-athletes were involved in an incident at Stokely Hall and were charged with simple possession and unlawful drug paraphernalia. French, Washington and Willis were named at the time. Salter was not since he was a minor.

KNOXVILLE, TN – SEPTEMBER 11, 2020 – Linebacker Martavius French #29 of the Tennessee Volunteers during 2020 Fall Camp practice on Haslam Field in Knoxville, TN. Photo By Caleb Jones/Tennessee Athletics

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Josh Heupel provides update on Vols’ suspended players

Josh Heupel provides update on Kaidon Salter, Martavius French, Isaac Washington and Aaron Willis.

Freshman quarterback Kaidon Salter, an early enrollee, has not practiced with Tennessee this spring.

He is suspended indefinitely.

“Kaidon is part of the group of individuals that are suspended from team activities at this point,” Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel said following the Vols’ first spring practice.

Salter, Martavius French, Isaac Washington and Aaron Willis were involved in an incident at Stokely Hall last month.

They were charged with simple possession and unlawful drug paraphernalia. French, Washington and Willis were named at the time. Salter was not since he was a minor.

Following the Vols’ first spring practice, Heupel mentioned there was not a timetable for the suspended players’ return.

“That’s being handled on campus, and as we receive information, we’ll act accordingly,” Heupel said. “There’s high expectations, high standards to represent Tennessee football.

“At the same time, we’re going to stay true to those kids and support them as they go through this process, and as we gain information, we’ll be able to share that.”

French, Washington and Willis are scheduled to appear in court April 12.

Salter had his charges dropped without prejudice.

Heupel provided an update on the suspended players following Friday’s practice.

“Any of the guys that have had those issues, no final word on any of that yet,” Heupel said following the Vols’ fifth spring practice on Friday. “We’re going to stay with those kids. I told you in the beginning, support those kids through the process. Once we have a final decision on all those guys, we’ll communicate that with you.”

Heupel mentioned he hopes to have a decision on the suspended players before the end of spring practices.

“We hope that that process will be thorough and we’ll be able to work through it and get to the point where we’re able to communicate with you where our university stands,” he said.

Tennessee will conclude spring practices with its annual Chevrolet Orange & White game on April 24 at Neyland Stadium. Kickoff is slated for 4 p.m. EDT.

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Jeremy Pruitt ‘excited’ about Martavius French’s future at Tennessee

Jeremy Pruitt ‘excited’ about Martavius French’s future at Tennessee.

Freshman linebacker Martavius French has not appeared in any games this season for Tennessee.

The 6-foot-2, 240-pound linebacker from Whitehaven High School in Memphis, Tennessee was part of the Vols’ 2020 signing class. He signed with the Vols during the early signing period last December.

Third-year Tennessee head coach Jeremy Pruitt provided an update on the status of French ahead of the Vols’ matchup with No. 6 Florida.

KNOXVILLE, TN – SEPTEMBER 11, 2020 – Linebacker Martavius French #29 of the Tennessee Volunteers during 2020 Fall Camp practice on Haslam Field in Knoxville, TN. Photo By Caleb Jones/Tennessee Athletics

“He’s really worked hard this season to change his body,” Pruitt said of French. “I think when he got here, he was 251 pounds. Last week he was 226. You can see really the slimming up, playing faster, being quicker.

“We’ll build him back up, but a guy that’s really smart and I’m excited about his future here.”

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Recruiting Player Profile: Martavius French

Recruiting Player Profile: Martavius French

KNOXVILLE – As Tennessee football brings in new talent during the Early Signing Period, Vols Wire is releasing player profiles on each individual that signs with UT.

Find out recruiting ratings, key skills, stats and which other programs had offers on the table for each Tennessee signee.

Another member of the Whitehaven trio from Whitehaven High School in Memphis, inside linebacker Martavius French signed with the Vols on Wednesday morning.

At 6-foot-2, 240-pounds, French is a four-star prospect and the No. 15 inside linebacker in the 2020 class on the 247 Sports Composite.

“Martavius French, to me, is a guy that can play all four positions,” said Tennessee head coach Jeremy Pruitt during his signing day press conference.

“When it comes to linebacker he can play inside or he can play outside. He’s from Memphis, we signed a couple of his teammates and all of these guys, I think in the last two years they’ve only lost two ballgames, but when you talk about hard-nosed, loving the game and when you go watch this guy play you can see before the ball snaps he knows what play is really coming from the offensive side of the ball.”

A former Arkansas commit, French held offers from schools such as LSU, Memphis, Florida and Oklahoma.

Stay tuned to Vols Wire for more player profiles on each Tennessee signee during the Early Signing Period.

Martavius French signs with Tennessee

Martavius French signs with Tennessee.

2020 University of Tennessee football recruiting
2019 Early Signing Period — Dec. 18-20
National Signing Day — Feb. 5

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KNOXVILLE — The 2019 Early Signing Period for football is underway. Tennessee is in the process of completing its 2020 football recruiting class.

Below is the Vols’ latest signee for the 2020 recruiting class.

Martavius French

Whitehaven High School (Memphis, TN)

Linebacker — 6-foot-2, 240-pounds

Committed on October 22, 2019

Signed on December 18, 2019

2020 recruiting class signing dates

The 2019 Early Signing Period will take place Dec. 18-20 and National Signing Day will be held on Feb. 5.

The Vols’ 2020 commitment tracker can be followed below.

The University of Tennessee Volunteer’s 2020 football recruiting class tracker

Vols’ coaching staff visits trio of UT commits

Class of 2020 football recruiting.

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Jeremy Pruitt and the University of Tennessee football program received three commitments on Oct. 22 from Whitehaven High School in Memphis, Tenn.

The commitments are a trio of linebackers: Bryson Eason (6-foot-2, 250-pounds), Martavius French (6-foot-2, 240-pounds) and Tamarion McDonald (6-foot-2, 220-pounds).

Pruitt joined UT defensive coordinator Derrick Ansley and running backs coach David Johnson for a visit with the trio of commits Dec. 3.

2020 recruiting class signing dates

The 2019 Early Signing Period will take place Dec. 18-20 and National Signing Day will be held on Feb. 5.

The Vols’ 2020 commitment tracker can be followed below.

University of Tennessee’s 2020 football recruiting class tracker