Iowa football loses two players

IOWA CITY, Iowa — Iowa senior safety Brandon Snyder is leaving the program as a graduate transfer and offensive lineman Tristan Wirfs will be suspended for the season opener after getting charged with intoxicated driving.

Hawkeyes coach Kirk Ferentz announced both moves on Tuesday.

Snyder’s departure was a bit of a surprise. The Larchwood, Iowa, native spent most of the past two years working his way back onto the field after twice tearing the ACL in his left knee.

Snyder returned last season and brought back an interception 89 yards for a touchdown in his debut against Illinois, but he re-injured his knee in the same game.

Wirfs, a 19-year-old sophomore who is expected to start at right tackle, was arrested over the weekend. Police say Wirfs was driving a scooter and failed a field sobriety test with a 0.129 blood-alcohol level. In Iowa, the legal limit is 0.08 but for those under 21 the limit is 0.02.

TENNESSEE: Volunteers offensive lineman Trey Smith was dealing with blood clots in his lungs when he missed spring practice. Tennessee athletic department spokesman Zach Stipe confirmed Smith’s issue Tuesday. ESPN first reported that Smith was diagnosed in February with blood clots in his lungs.

The ESPN report says Smith has been cleared to play this season but will be held out of contact until he comes off blood-thinning medication.