Knoxville, TN -- (Sports Network) - The University of Tennessee received NCAA approval Tuesday for sophomore tight end Brandon Warren to suit up for the Vols this season.

Head coach Phillip Fulmer also announced that junior tight end Jeff Cottam will undergo back surgery in Memphis on Wednesday, and is expected to miss six to eight weeks.

Tennessee had petitioned the NCAA with a waiver request for Warren, who played for Florida State as a freshman in 2006. The six-foot-one, 225-pound Warren later left the university in 2007 and subsequently needed the NCAA waiver to be eligible after enrolling at Pellissippi State Community College. He started nine games as a freshman, leading all Seminole tight ends in receptions with 28 for 301 yards and a touchdown.

Cottam started six games as a sophomore last season for the Volunteers, recording four catches for 19 yards and a touchdown.