During Monday’s blowout win against Tennessee Tech, only one scholarship player didn’t receive any minutes. Four-star freshman DJ Jefferson, a later addition to Tennessee’s 2022 class, was stuck on the bench.
Rick Barnes explained why shortly after the game.
“We are going to redshirt him,” Barnes said after the game when asked. “We’re really excited that he’s here with us. He’s got a load of talent and he missed some early season practice which set him back. It’s happened every year. When a freshman misses that early season practice, and I think he was out for a couple weeks with an ankle, and it really set him back especially with the older group of guys.