Freshman Jacques Smith (#55) has shown promise all season long, however, his most recent arrest could prove to be a minor set-back.
The last Saturday in October proved to be a disappointment for the Tennessee Vols and for freshman DE Jacques Smith. After the Vols returned home from their frustrating 38-24 loss to the Gamecocks, some of the players decided to hit the town to forget about their 0-5 record in SEC play. As the Saturday festivities heated up on Cumberland Avenue, Smith and another student began jawing at the mouth about a certain lady friend. The conversation quickly escalated into an altercation in which Smith’s teammates stepped-in to defuse the situation.
After some pushing and shoving, Smith eventually left the scene. However, Knoxville police came after him with a warrant for simple assault. Smith turned himself into police early Sunday morning and was subsequently released on a $2,000 bond. Coach Derek Dooley was made aware of Smith’s arrest and plans on handling punishment, if any, internally.
Currently, the Vols boast one of the worst defenses in the league allowing over 30 points per game. Dooley cannot afford to bench any of his productive players and its unlikely Smith will miss playing time as a result of this incident. As a freshman, Smith has amassed 18 tackles and has played in every game this season.
