Cincinnati running back Ralph David Abernathy IV —Â the older brother of Top247 Tennessee cornerback commitment Micah Abernathy — will transfer to UT and play for the Vols next season as a fifth-year senior, the father of both players confirmed to 247Sports on Saturday night.

Ralph David Abernathy IV, a former star at Westminster School in Atlanta, signed with Cincinnati out of high school, when Vols coach Butch Jones coached the Bearcats. He started as a return specialist for the Bearcats as a true freshman in 2011 and has been a mainstay in the Cincinnati offense ever since.

The running back has missed most of this season —Â his true senior season —Â but is eligible for a redshirt and plans to exercise that option and play for the Vols.

A 5-foot-7, 161-pound running back and return specialist, Abernathy IV has collected 917 rushing yards, 540 receiving yards, 2,186 return yards and 13 touchdowns the past four seasons for the Bearcats.

Abernathy IV was on the Tennessee campus Saturday for the Vols’ 50-16 win over Kentucky and has been cleared to transfer to UT and practice for the Vols in spring practice, his father told 247Sports. The running back is scheduled to receive his degree from Cincinnati in finance in December —Â which is less than four years from the time he enrolled.

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