But Vols coach Derek Dooley said Friday that he will not release Brown from his scholarship.
"I have a lot of respect for Bryce as a person and a player," Dooley said. "This is a professional decision, not a personal one."
Dooley said he makes decisions on who to release based on three criteria: what was the player's personal investment into the program; what harm the player's departure would cause the program; and how the player handled the situation as a person.
"I have an obligation to protect the program," said Dooley, who has released some players and declined to release others since taking over the Vols. "Bryce can still go to Kansas State but I'm not releasing him."