Volunteers expected to avoid bowl ban in NCAA ruling, sources say

The Tennessee football program is expected to avoid a bowl ban when the NCAA committee on infractions announces its punishment for the Volunteers on Friday, sources told ESPN.

Sources said Tennessee is expected to receive stiff financial penalties and recruiting restrictions.

Tennessee was charged with 18 Level 1 violations -- the most severe in the NCAA rules structure -- in July 2022 stemming from the tenure of former coach Jeremy Pruitt. Included in the charges were $60,000 in impermissible benefits and both Pruitt and his wife, Casey, making cash payments to players' families.

Pruitt is receiving a six-year show-cause, sources said. Pruitt has been out of top-level coaching since serving…