Tennessee

[jbcarol]

From ESPN SEC Blog's Final 2015 Power Rankings (Sammy Khan, Jr.)

5. Tennessee (9-4): The Volunteers had their best season of the Butch Jones era, going 9-4, capped by a dominating 45-6 win over Northwestern in the Outback Bowl. It was another step in the progression of the program under Jones, who led the Vols to a tie for second place in the SEC East. With much young talent returning, the Vols look to be in prime position for a big run in 2016.

[ALLVOL]

From ESPN SEC Blog's Final 2015 Power Rankings (Sammy Khan, Jr.)

LOL tie for 2nd? UT beat UGA head to head. For some reason ESPN has trouble putting anything negative about the Dawgs.

[jbcarol]

Michael Carvell ‏@Carvell_AJC 2h2 hours ago

Toppling the Tide: Three teams that could keep Alabama from winning the SEC in 2016 http://sec.news/1OZ6uIA

Each of the last few offseasons, pundits have pumped a lot of hype into Butch Jones-led Volunteers programs and next season will be no different. But it seems more believable than ever in 2016.

Quarterback Josh Dobbs will be a senior and fourth-year starter. The first of Jones' top-5 recruiting classes will be in its third season in Knoxville, making the Volunteers less dependent on young talent than they've ever been under the fourth-year Tennessee coach. Rocky Top will also welcome back both leading tackler Jalen Reeves-Maybin and the nation's leading punt-return man –– cornerback Cameron Sutton –– in 2016.

Jones will be riding momentum from his best season yet in Knoxville, going 9-4 and capping off a strong regular season with a 45-6 rout of Northwestern in the Outback Bowl. All four of Tennessee's losses in 2015 came by a touchdown or fewer. They were a last-minute field goal away from beating eventual SEC East champion Florida in Gainesville. They went to Tuscaloosa and managed to only lose 19-14 to eventual national champion Alabama. And their other two losses –– to College Football Playoff-bound Oklahoma and Bret Bielema's strongest Arkansas team yet –– came by deficits of seven and four points, respectively.

Furthermore, the SEC East looks to be more wide open than it was last year, given the coaching changes in the division and Florida's great migration of talent bound for the NFL. Jones' recruiting staff has some closing to do in the days ahead, leading up to National Signing Day, if the Vols are going to get the boost they probably need to get over the hump and deliver on those ever-looming high expectations.

Big question marks: Dobbs still may not be the passer that Tennessee needs to be elite; he will probably need to become more efficient and dynamic out of the pocket. Of course, for that to happen, Jones and the Vols will need to coach up their receiving core...

[jbcarol]

Patrick Brown ‏@patrickbrownTFP 2h2 hours ago

Vols hoping final weekend of official visits helps produce big finish to 2016 class. http://bit.ly/1Snkujy 

KNOXVILLE — Tennessee saved its biggest football recruiting weekend for last, and the Volunteers hope they left a lasting impression on some of their top remaining targets.

Four of Tennessee's most sought-after recruits who have not committed to the Vols were on campus for official visits this past weekend, and head coach Butch Jones and his staff hope it pays dividends on national signing day on Wednesday.

Those important visitors were five-star defensive tackle Derrick Brown, four-star defensive tackle Nigel Warrior, four-star athlete Tyler Byrd (who has committed to Miami) and five-star offensive lineman Landon Dickerson.

The Vols also hosted running back Zach Moss (who has committed to Utah) and seven of the 13 recruits who have committed to Tennessee...

... Vols likely won't land a third straight class ranked in the top five nationally...

[jbcarol]

ESPN SEC ‏@ESPN_SEC 11m11 minutes ago

Tennessee's best 2015 win, most intriguing 2016 game http://es.pn/1PtMnnk

Best 2015 win: That 45-6 throttling of No. 13 Northwestern in the Outback Bowl

Most intriguing 2016 game: This is a program that has to make a major statement in 2016. With so much experience coming back on both sides of the ball, the Vols are the trendy early pick to win the SEC East. But in order to make it to Atlanta for the first time since 2007, chances are they'll have to beat Florida. The Gators have won 11 in a row over Tennessee, including a 28-27 comeback win in 2015 in which the Gators erased a 13-point deficit with less than five minutes remaining inside the Swamp. This game not only stands as a physical roadblock for the Vols in the East, it's also a mental obstacle for this entire team...

[jbcarol]

Dave Hooker: Tyler Byrd is set to announce his college decision.

The four-star prospect from Naples (Fla.) High School told SEC Country that he will announce which school he will choose on Tuesday evening, although he's not sure of the time. Byrd said he'll make the announcement via Twitter and is only considering Tennessee and Miami.

[jbcarol]

Byrd committed to Tennessee.

[ALLVOL]

Byrd committed to Tennessee.

That was a very big flip for the Vols.

[jbcarol]

Patrick Brown ‏@patrickbrownTFP 1h1 hour ago

After "indescribable" final week, strong finish 'gratifying' for Butch Jones and Tennessee. http://bit.ly/23K6yUf 

Butch Jones capped his fourth class as Tennessee's head coach with the late additions of athlete Tyler Byrd, safety Nigel Warrior, wide receiver Latrell Williams and defensive end Jonathan Kongbo.

"Our challenge was to finish strong," Jones said at a press conference Wednesday afternoon. "We thought we had a great nucleus in this recruiting class already intact, and now if we could add to that, we wanted to do that. We set forth, and we're going to go try to get the best players that fit our recruiting profile, no matter where they're at.

"To be able to add those individuals those individuals, to us, are difference-makers, and they make you better being in your football program."

Byrd got the ball rolling by flipping from Miami on Tuesday night, and Warrior and Williams, another player formerly committed to Miami, continued the momentum Wednesday morning.

Kongbo, the nation's top junior college prospect, according to 247sports.com, put the cherry on top of the class by signing early Wednesday afternoon.

For most of the day, Kongbo's destination was a mystery. It appeared the former Tennessee commitment was headed to Ole Miss at one point as his recruitment kept taking twists and turns. After announcing on Twitter he would sign at 4 p.m. Eastern, he abruptly signed more than two hours earlier.

[jbcarol]

Tennessee's only Class of 2017 commitment backed off his pledge to the program Thursday night.

Four-star receiver Tee Higgins, a standout at Oak Ridge (Tenn.) High School, called the de-commitment "a tough decision" in a message posted from his Twitter account. The 6-foot-5, 190-pound junior originally committed to the school in August, and while he noted that the Volunteers remain a priority for him, Higgins also made it clear he's taking a fresh look at his recruitment.

[jbcarol]

ESPNU ‏@ESPNU 19h19 hours ago

According to FPI, here are the top five college football teams for 2016:

#1- LSU
#2 - Florida St
#3 - Oklahoma
#4 - Clemson
#5 - Tennessee

[jbcarol]

SEC Network ‏@SECNetwork 2h2 hours ago

SEC East returning starters: http://bit.ly/1nRIMph

Tennessee 17
Vandy 15
Georgia 14
Kentucky 14
South Carolina 13
Mizzou 13
Florida 11

[jbcarol]

https://twitter.com/patrickbrownTFP/status/696198119768334337

[jbcarol]

Jonathan Kongbo isn't a Tennessee Volunteer just yet.

The nation's top junior college prospect told SEC Country late Monday evening that his father has yet to sign his national letter of intent to be a Vol.

Kongbo said he signed his Financial Aid Agreement papers, which allowed Tennessee to promote him publicly last week. Kongbo said his father plans to sign the papers soon.

However, until that paperwork is completed and received by Tennessee, the four-star recruit will not be a Vol.

"My dad has been away," Kongbo told SEC Country. "He will sign it when he gets home."

When asked if he was looking at other schools, Kongbo said, "I'm not looking around. I'm not interested in anybody else."

Also, by signing the agreement, Tennessee can have unlimited contact with him just in case other schools began re-recruiting him.

[jbcarol]

The Dave Hooker Show ‏@DaveHookerShow 10h10 hours ago

4 things every Tennessee fan needs to know today http://trib.al/7i5alMj

Tennessee's highest-rated prospect has yet to send in his national letter of intent as planned for National Signing Day last Wednesday. Should the Vols be worried?

Let the debate begin: Is Manning the greatest quarterback of all time?

The Vols have a key player to replace this season. Just how hard will it be?

Left tackle Kyler Kerbyson, Tennessee

Kerbyson, an All-SEC Second Team pick (Associated Press), played a strong role in the Volunteers offense averaging 35.2 points per game (29th nationally) and rushing for 224 yards per game (second-best in the SEC). For good measure, the O-line surrendered fewer than 1.8 sacks per game in 2015.

Tennessee coaches have admirably stocked the shelves with high-upside talents along the offensive line, meaning that either Chance Hall (All-SEC Freshman Team in 2015) or redshirt freshman Drew Richmond (the No. 3-ranked offensive tackle from the Class of 2015) could be dynamic, long-term replacements at Kerbyson's old spot.

Bottom line: The Volunteers could have as many as 17 returning starters this fall; and yet, the next wave of relative newcomers could solidify Tennessee's viable quest for an SEC East title.

[jbcarol]

Post-signing day SEC Power Rankings

4. Tennessee

[jbcarol]

The Dave Hooker Show ‏@DaveHookerShow 27s27 seconds ago

Not good for #VOLS https://www.seccountry.com/tennessee/tennessee-player-told-police-team-had-a-hit-out-on-teammate ...

A former Tennessee Vols football player admitted to police that the team had "a hit" out on a teammate for helping a victim who said she was the victim of a rape.

In public documents published by The Knoxville News Sentinel on Tuesday, a lawsuit levied against the University of Tennessee alleges that former Vols defensive back Mike Williams  told police of the "hit" put out by teammate Geraldo Orta against Drae Bowles, a receiver who reportedly took one of lawsuit's victims to the hospital and supported her decision to report the incident to authorities.

"The actions and intent of UT football players against Drae Bowles were disclosed by [Mike] Williams in his November 26, 2014, interview with the police, when he stated that his teammate, Geraldo Orta, had told Williams that the football team had 'a hit' out on Drae Bowles."

...

Orta left the program after his redshirt junior season in 2014 and Bowles transferred to Chattanooga. Maggitt sustained a season-ending injury early in the 2015 season, but decided not to pursue a medical-redshirt for a sixth-year at Tennessee.

[jbcarol]

A federal lawsuit alleges that Tennessee football players twice assaulted wide receiver Drae Bowles for assisting the woman who accused linebacker A.J. Johnson and defensive back Michael Williams of rape in November 2014.

Neither the Knoxville Police Department nor the University of Tennessee Police Department has a specific report of the incident, however.

The "factual allegations" section of the lawsuit claims that Bowles had taken the alleged victim, a plaintiff in the lawsuit referred to as Jane Doe IV, to the hospital the night of her assault and supported her decision to report the incident to the authorities. It claims that the fifth plaintiff in the case, who is referred to as Jane Doe V and the only plaintiff who was not an alleged rape victim, witnessed several football players "jumping" Bowles on Nov. 17, 2014, the day after the alleged rape occurred.

The lawsuit says that Jane Doe IV later understood that "athletic coaches were present" during that altercation. It also says Jane Doe IV learned that Bowles was assaulted a second time by the same players in a team facility.

The lawsuit claims that former linebacker Curt Maggitt "admitted" the second assault in interviews with police, but doesn't specify whether or not Maggitt was part of the assault. It says that Williams said in an interview with police on Nov. 26 that former defensive back Geraldo Orta "had told Williams that the football team had 'a hit' out on Drae Bowles."

The lawsuit claims that Orta told police that he felt "Bowles had betrayed the team and that where he (Orta) came from, people got shot for doing what Bowles did." It also said Orta told police that he had gotten "in Bowles' face" and said "some threatening things" at Smokey's Cafe, the athletic dining facility. It also said that Orta told police Maggitt confronted Bowles in the team locker room in an incident separate from the assault.

Jane Doe IV, also a Tennessee student athlete, learned of the first assault on Bowles while she was in a meeting with Tennessee executive senior associate athletics director Jon Gilbert, senior associate athletics director Mike Ward and her varsity team's head coach, the lawsuit said. She informed them of the assault and was told they would look into it. The lawsuit said Jane Doe IV was never told of any action taken against the players involved.

Bowles testified before the grand jury that led to the indictments of Johnson and Williams. He told the News Sentinel in an interview on Feb. 13, 2015, that he had given the alleged victim a ride home from the party at which the rape allegedly occurred, but that she did not mention that she had been raped. He also denied rumors that he had been assaulted.

Bowles missed several practices the week of the alleged rape...

[jbcarol]

Wes Rucker ‏@wesrucker247 57m57 minutes ago

Really surprising to me that #Vols' Kyler Kerbyson wasn't invited to NFL Combine after being named an All-SEC offensive lineman. Odd.

[jbcarol]

Dustin Dopirak ‏@TennesseeBeat Feb 11

Know this is out already, but Curt Maggitt and Marquez North have been invited to the NFL Scouting Combine: http://www.nfl.com/combine/participants?campaign=Twitter_nfl_cfb ...

[jbcarol]

Wes Rucker ‏@wesrucker247  4h4 hours ago
List of five players #Vols will miss most continues with No. 2: All-SEC DE/LB @CurtMaggitt: http://bit.ly/1ThxfL0 

Maggitt played just 35 games in a five-year college career that was plagued with injuries nearly from head to toe, but he was a very good player every time he stepped on the field, and occasionally he was special. A highly touted prospect from West Palm Beach, Fla., Maggitt surprised many by picking Tennessee over Florida and made an impact on and off the field field every year he was in the program. Maggitt was a sure-tackling, dynamic playmaker against the run and a very good pass rusher, and he won accolades virtually every time he played enough to get himself in contention. He was a Freshman All-America linebacker in 2011 and an All-SEC hybrid defender (defensive end and outside linebacker) as a junior in 2014. Unfortunately for Maggitt, the 2014 season was the only time he played more than 11 games in a single season, and he played just two games in 2015 before going down with a freak hip injury that ended his college career. If you want to know how much NFL scouts still respect Maggitt, though, look no further than the fact that he was invited to the NFL Scouting Combine despite playing just two games as a fifth-year senior. That's rare. But Maggitt is that talented, and he's not just a talented athlete. He's a natural-born leader. Vols coach Butch Jones said Maggitt was the "heart and soul" of the program for the final three years of his career...

FIVE VOLS WHO WILL BE MISSED MOST IN 2016
No. 5: Defensive tackle Owen Williams
No. 4: Wide receiver Von Pearson
No. 3: Safety Brian Randolph

[jbcarol]

Patrick Brown ‏@patrickbrownTFP Feb 14

Knoxville Catholic WR Amari Rodgers, Tee Martin's son and a former USC commit, announces he's now committed to Clemson.

[jbcarol]

The Dave Hooker Show ‏@DaveHookerShow Feb 13

Tennessee meets with former NFL coach Jon Gruden http://trib.al/toc7dBC

Vols' coaching staff spent two days with the former NFL coach.

He met his wife during his time at Tennessee and spoke to the Vols before the Outback Bowl in January. He has also been the fan favorite as a replacement for recent coaches who were fired from Tennessee. However, no serious contact was ever confirmed.

https://twitter.com/UTCoachDeBo/status/698221176842227712

[jbcarol]

Alabama, LSU and Tennessee among early favorites to win 2017 CFB championship

Defending champion Alabama is among the early favorites to repeat as national champions, according to Bovada, but the Crimson Tide didn't take the No. 1 spot.

That honor belongs to Ohio State...

Tennessee, which finished with the No. 14 recruiting class this year, saw its odds improve from 22/1 to 14/1 after National Signing Day, giving them the seventh best odds.

[jbcarol]

A College Football Playoff national title — is the ultimate goal this time of year, and the Tennessee Volunteers, like it or not, are in the early conversation.

According to Bovada, the Vols are 14-1 favorites to win the national championship next year

The Tennessee Journalist, the official website for the University of Tennessee's School of Journalism and Electronic Media, recently published an article asking "Can Josh Dobbs win the Heisman?"

Dobbs is the perfect quarterback to deal with the Vols' lofty expectations.

At SEC Media Days prior to the 2015 season, Jones called Dobbs the CEO of the football program, a player "who owns the team, who owns the offense, that can solve problems on his own, that can provide the leadership and stability that you expect from that position."

Dobbs rebounded from four excruciating 2015 losses — two to teams that would eventually become Playoff squads, and all four by a combined 17 points —

[jbcarol]

 Dustin Dopirak ‏@TennesseeBeat 2h2 hours ago

Just had media availability with Dave Serrano. He said Josh Dobbs' baseball cameo lasted four practices. Said he had his fun, moved on.

[jbcarol]

Travis Haney Verified account
‏@TravHaneyESPN

Each time opening Twitter is an adventure figuring out what terrible thing is going on with Tennessee football.

[jbcarol]

ESPN SEC ‏@ESPN_SEC 3h3 hours ago

Strongest/weakest positions for SEC contenders: Tennessee Volunteers http://es.pn/1XzO7xg

Position of weakness: Wide receiver is not a weakness for Tennessee so much as the talented players the Volunteers have at the position have yet to develop into stars.

Josh Malone (31 catches, 405 yards, 2 TDs) is the top returning receiver, but it would be fair to say that he and position mates Josh Smith, Jason Croom, Jauan Jennings and Preston Williams are capable of more than we have seen from them thus far.

Tennessee ranked 92nd nationally in passing offense last season...

Position of strength: As tempting as it might be to choose a secondary that is stacked with talent, running back feels like the obvious choice...

[jbcarol]

@GrantRamey
‏@GrantRamey
Photos aside, Shoops says 'I think I'm a funny guy' via @TennesseeBeat  http://www.knoxnews.com/sports/vols/football/photos-aside-bob-shoop-says-i-think-im-a-funny-guy-2c2318af-76ec-4eff-e053-0100007f100a-369484092.html ...

Bob Shoop knows the reputation he has already developed among Tennessee fans on social media.

Though Shoop has often stated that he is thrilled to be the Vols' new defensive coordinator, the pictures of him that have appeared on Twitter haven't shown it.

Judging on photos alone, it appears Shoop doesn't smile. Ever.

Just about every picture Shoop has taken in his time at Tennessee —

[jbcarol]

Dustin Dopirak ‏@TennesseeBeat 9m9 minutes ago

Tennessee is having a press conference tomorrow at 10 a.m. with Butch Jones and 15 other coaches.

I should clarify "15 other coaches" means "15 head coaches of other sports." Not football assistants. Just in case of confusion.

[jbcarol]

Dustin Dopirak ‏@TennesseeBeat 9m9 minutes ago

Tennessee is having a press conference tomorrow at 10 a.m. with Butch Jones and 15 other coaches.

I should clarify "15 other coaches" means "15 head coaches of other sports." Not football assistants. Just in case of confusion.

Matt Slovin ‏@MattSlovin 10 minutes ago

Moderator says coaches can't talk about pending legal issues.

Butch Jones: "Our competitors are using it against us."

Jones: "I've never been a part of something as special as this."


Anita Wadhwani ‏@anitawadhwani 2m2 minutes ago

All of the UT coaches so far making clear their support for Butch Jones @mattslovin

[jbcarol]

@GrantRamey ‏@GrantRamey 44m44 minutes ago

Butch tried to correct Ralph and Ralph shut. him. down.

https://twitter.com/GrantRamey/status/702159517887422464

[jbcarol]

Chris Low Verified account
‏@ClowESPN

The hits keep coming for Tennessee, but school officials insist they will fight the lawsuit. If so, could be another 1-2 years until trial.

Travis Haney ‏@TravHaneyESPN 8h8 hours ago

Travis Haney Retweeted Chris Low

So theoretically Butch Jones could win SEC East/have long-awaited big season while his reputation hangs in air.

[jbcarol]

 Wes Rucker ‏@wesrucker247 17h17 hours ago

#Vols consistently are acting as if they have absolutely nothing to hide. This is fascinating. They've gone YOLO.

[ALLVOL]

Wes Rucker ‏@wesrucker247 17h17 hours ago

#Vols consistently are acting as if they have absolutely nothing to hide. This is fascinating. They've gone YOLO.

The fact that UT isn't caving should speak volumes about the issue.

[Whiskeyhog]

The fact that UT isn't caving should speak volumes about the issue.

Ask Ryan Braun how that went for him. 

[Jackrabbit Hog]

The fact that UT isn't caving should speak volumes about the issue.

When you're between a rock and a hard place, might as well dig in and do what's right.  Gotta admire UT for not caving just to get out of a PR mess, although it may result in the bad press continuing for much longer than it has to.

[code red]

I expect Tenner to make a solid push to win the East this fall.

I would hope so....at least 3 new coaches in the East.

[ALLVOL]

When you're between a rock and a hard place, might as well dig in and do what's right.  Gotta admire UT for not caving just to get out of a PR mess, although it may result in the bad press continuing for much longer than it has to.

There are things I wish I could tell you. Time isn't an enemy to UT right now. It's a game of high stakes chicken.

[jbcarol]

Paul Finebaum ‏@finebaum 19h19 hours ago

"Where they are going to be hurt is on the field" - @SECbooger  reacts to the allegations against UT HC Butch Jones http://bit.ly/1XQfraw

[Corkscrew Johnson]

You can't spell assault without UT

[Jackrabbit Hog]

There are things I wish I could tell you. Time isn't an enemy to UT right now. It's a game of high stakes chicken.

I spent most of Thursday morning with UT's radio color analyst.  He's mad as a wet hen, more about the Von Pearson part of it than anything else.  But he says he doesn't blame UT a bit for digging in and fighting it, based on what he knows.

[ALLVOL]

I spent most of Thursday morning with UT's radio color analyst.  He's mad as a wet hen, more about the Von Pearson part of it than anything else.  But he says he doesn't blame UT a bit for digging in and fighting it, based on what he knows.

He's right.

[jbcarol]

Josh Ward
‏@Josh_Ward
Marquez North with an unofficial 40 time of 4.49. He measured in at 6-2, 223.

[jbcarol]

Just-in-Time 2016 Season Volunteer Bowl Projection

TENNESSEE — OUTBACK BOWL

Overall record: 10-2
Regular season SEC record: 6-2
Returning starters: 17 (link)

WHY TAMPA: By our predictive math, Tennessee and UGA will both finish at 6-2 in the SEC East, but the Bulldogs will carry the division-title tiebreaker, due to the head-to-head victory on Oct. 1 (in Athens).

And that would be a tough pill to swallow for Volunteers fans, who are undoubtedly pointing to 2016 as Tennessee's breakthrough season —

[vol_in_ar]

I spent most of Thursday morning with UT's radio color analyst.  He's mad as a wet hen, more about the Von Pearson part of it than anything else.  But he says he doesn't blame UT a bit for digging in and fighting it, based on what he knows.

sounds like a smart man

[jbcarol]

Tennessee's 2016 defensive backs

Notable departures: Safeties Brian Randolph and LaDarrell McNeil
Major players: CB Cam Sutton and safeties Todd Kelly Jr. and Evan Berry

Tennessee's coaches, most notably defensive backs coach Willie Martinez, have shown the ability to get the most out of their defensive backs... the defense will likely be more aggressive under first-year Tennessee defensive coordinator Bob Shoop.

There's more talent than before, but there's much more uncertainty and one of Tennessee's best leaders, Randolph, will no longer be the last line of defense.

[ALLVOL]

Tennessee's 2016 defensive backs

TK Jr and Berry were playing significantly more as the season progressed. Barring injuries our DB's will be a lot better in 16.

[jbcarol]

Wes Rucker ‏@wesrucker247 16h16 hours ago

New coach Larry Scott loving #Vols' situation at tight end heading into spring practice: http://bit.ly/1QvOB2N 

Put simply, the former interim head coach, running game coordinator and tight ends coach at Miami really likes his Tennessee tight ends.

"There's definitely some talent top to bottom in the group, and I think that's where you really have to assess it — from the guy that has the most experience to the guys in the room that haven't played as much," Scott said. "You want to look at it and quantify it and really look at where you talent is, top to bottom, as a unit. And I like where we are as far as the number of bodies we have that are capable.

"But we can also continue to develop and make a strong unit — a really strong unit."

The addition of senior-to-be Jason Croom — who played wide receiver at 6-foot-5, 246 pounds — has added plenty of size and skill to a position group that already had a diverse and talented group of players that included juniors-to-be Ethan Wolf and Jakob Johnson, senior-to-be Joe Stocstill, sophomore-to-be Neiko Creamer and rising redshirt freshman walk-ons Eli Wolf and Will Jumper.

"Ethan obviously has been tested by fire, and he's been out there, he's played against the Bamas and everybody else, he's played in the stadiums, he's been in those games," Scott said. "Jason Croom has moved over, and he's probably always been more of a natural tight end, but he's big and twitchy and can run. There's Jakob Johnson, who's had a heck of an offseason, and training-wise and in skill-development drills he's shown some quick-twitch and some power and those different things. Neiko Creamer is another kid that has a receiving background but has the athleticism is starting to put on the size that it takes to compete as a tight end at this level.

"And Eli Wolf — one of our walk-ons — has really impressed me. He's Ethan's little brother, but he probably doesn't want me to call him that. He'd rather just be Eli, I'm sure. He's a really good athlete and can do some things."

[jbcarol]

Michael Carvell ‏@Carvell_AJC  5h5 hours ago
Vols football players join diversity protesters http://sec.news/1TzhOjz

Tennessee students, including members of the Vols football team, filled the stands in black t-shirts at the school's basketball game on Saturday to protest the cutting of funds for the university's diversity office.

Running back Alvin Kamara, tight end Jakob Johnson and linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin were among the students in the crowd with Kamara and Johnson both sending tweets using the hashtag #UTDiversityMatters.

Alvin Kamara
‏@A_kamara6
#UTDiversityMatters