Fifth-year senior Jacob Gilliam was seen at practice on Tuesday, running a supervised lap around the practice field.
But on Tuesday the redshirt senior raised some eyebrows when he ran a lap around the practice field under the supervision of a trainer. Gilliam, wearing a left knee brace, appeared to move smoothly and without pain. If Gilliam might be able to return, he could offer some help to a UT offensive line that has allowed an SEC-worst nine sacks. He secured the starting left tackle spot before he was injured.
After practice, Butch Jones said of Gilliam, “Jacob Gilliam is very competitive, this team means everything to him, he still has a plan in the back of his mind to play.”
Gilliam tore his ACL in Tennessee’s opening game against Utah State and was initially expected to miss the remainder of the season. However, with the NCAA unlikely to grant another year, Gilliam may be thinking it’s now or never.
“Hard to guess how Gilliam’s knee would hold up under fire, but he looked smooth while running today. Wore a brace, sleeve on left knee,” Ben Frederickson tweeted.
Forum discussion: Practice 9/23
6 responses to “Vols’ Jacob Gilliam running around practice field”
Amazing! Now there’s a VFL!
No kidding. I was shocked when I first heard about Gilliam. I’m certainly pulling for the kid.
Thanks for the comment, frogjumper.
WOW , Go Jacob.
Yes, that is a VFL. If that is what the young man wants to do. I hope and pray it is God’s will to give him what he wants! The lame NCAA should grant him another year!!!
Did he have surgery? If so this is miraculous. Is it even possible for him to come back? WOW what a heart.
I wish the ncaa would grant him the sixth year, they wont because he deserves the year.