Tennessee, former Gainesville LB named suspect in rape case in Knoxville

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- University of Tennessee LB, and former Gainesville Red Elephant, A.J. Johnson has been named a suspect in a rape and sexual assault case, according to a report at WBIR TV in Knoxville.<br /> <br /> Johnson and DB Michael Williams were both named as suspects in the alleged incident, which happened early Sunday morning, though neither of them has been charged.<br /> <br /> Head Coach Butch Jones said at his press conference Monday that neither player would practice with the team until the investigation is complete.<br /> <br /> Two 19-year-old women reported the alleged crimes, with one woman saying two men raped her and the other saying she was sexually assaulted.<br /> <br /> One woman was a UT student, who opted to press charges.<br /> <br /> The other was a friend visiting from Florida who decided not to press any charges and return to Florida.<br /> <br /> Both women were taken to the University Medical Center, and Knoxville police searched the apartment complex where the incident reportedly took place.<br /> <br /> Johnson has had trouble with the law in the past, too.<br /> <br /> He was arrested in February for buying alcohol for people under the age of 21 and resisting arrest.<br /> <br /> Johnson graduated from Gainesville High School in spring 2011 after being named AAA Defensive Player of the Year. He was named a First Team All-SEC LB in his junior season of 2013. <br /> <br /> The Vols are slated to host Missouri this Saturday night; a win over the Tigers would secure a spot in the SEC Championship game for Georgia.