C U L8R: College Football Player Quits Team Via Text

Tennessee running back was nation's top recruit in '09

A former top recruit for the University of Tennessee quit the team by texting his incoming coach goodbye.

Bryce Brown, who was rivals.com's top recruit a year ago, sent the message to head coach Derek Dooley, according to the Knoxville News Sentinel. His departure was not a big surprise, after Lane Kiffen left the program to coach USC. But the way he gave notice left Dooley, and likely Volunteer fans, mighty ticked.

"Bryce left town without a face-to-face request (with Dooley) for a transfer," a school official told the News Sentinel. "There's still no news on where he wants to go."

According to USA Today, Brown sent Dooley a text message to say he was leaving. Brown didn't participate in spring practice, fueling the speculation that he was leaving -- most likely for Kansas State, where the Wichita native would join his older brother. But Brown must seek a release from Tennessee before he can go to a new school to play football.

According to the News Sentinel, Dooley had harsh words for Brown while addressing a local Knoxville Rotary Club.

"I said (earlier) that I was open to Bryce coming back on the condition that he wanted to unpack his bags and put his heart into this program," Dooley said. "I fully expect Bryce not to be on our team.

"The reason it has continued on is because Bryce has not come to me, looked me in the eye and said I want a release to so-and-so school. At some point, that's got to happen.

"Everybody is worried about (Brown's status) except me. I view him as not on our team."

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