Vols' Michael Sawyers out, Vic Wharton likely to follow

KNOXVILLE — Tennessee wide receiver Vic Wharton has "asked to explore other options," coach Butch Jones said Wednesday.

Wharton, a rising sophomore who played at Independence, caught five passes for 64 yards and a touchdown during his freshman season in Knoxville.

Jones said he will grant Wharton and Ryan Jenkins, another wide receiver, the ability to look elsewhere.

The news of Wharton's potential departure comes on signing day — a day he deeply anticipated last year as the ringleader of Tennessee's 2014 class.

Jones also announced that rising sophomore defensive lineman Michael Sawyers, an Ensworth graduate, has been dismissed from the program for a violation of team rules.

Sawyers, who was a four-star prospect out of high school, totaled two tackles in four games at Tennessee.

Follow Matt Slovin on Twitter @MattSlovin.