The Volunteer State

Transfers are a reality of college football in 2024, but Tennessee loses fewer players than most. Even better, the Vols very rarely lose top performers. Tennessee bid farewell to 15 transfers this offseason, three of whom were walk-ons. That's the fewest number of transfer departures for any SEC team. By comparison, Alabama lost 39 players to the portal. How does Josh Heupel pull off this impressive roster retention? On today's episode, hosts Blake Toppmeyer and Adam Sparks unpack Tennessee's effectiveness at limiting its number of transfers. While there's no magic bullet to prevent transfers, the Vols attack this on multiple fronts, from NIL to coaching stability to Tennessee's approach toward adding transfers. Stay connected on Twitter with Blake (@btoppmeyer) Adam (@AdamSparks) Mike (@ByMikeWilson) and John (@JohnAdamsKNS) and stay up to date on Vols sports news by following @GoVolsXtra. Connect on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/GoVolsXtra/ Subscribe to KnoxNews: knoxnews.com/subscribe

Part of coaching the Lady Vols means testing yourself against the nation's best opponents. Kim Caldwell will experience that in her first season at Tennessee. The Lady Vols will host UConn next season, a restoration of a rivalry that went on a one-year hiatus last season. There was a time when this rivalry of blue bloods and clash of Pat Summitt and Geno Auriemma defined the sport. The rivalry isn't what it once was, and neither is either program. Still, UConn is coming off a Final Four appearance, while Tennessee is a program searching for its footing. Can the Lady Vols possibly be prepared to handle UConn in Caldwell's first season? On today's episode, hosts Blake Toppmeyer, Cora Hall and John Adams weigh in on the rivalry restoration. They also assess Caldwell's first month on the job and her efforts to boost the roster through transfer additions. And they evaluate Tennessee's chance of keeping its NCAA Tournament appearance streak alive in Caldwell's debut. Stay connected on Twitter with Blake (@btoppmeyer) Adam (@AdamSparks) Cora (@corahalll) and John (@JohnAdamsKNS) and stay up to date on Vols sports news by following @GoVolsXtra. Connect on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/GoVolsXtra/ Subscribe to KnoxNews: knoxnews.com/subscribe

Three Tennessee football players were selected in the NFL Draft last week. Cause for celebration, or concern? The four qualifying teams for last season’s College Football Playoff combined for 44 draft picks. That suggests that if Tennessee wants to go from competitive program to national championship program under Josh Heupel, he needs to start producing more NFL talent. And yet, consider that Tennessee finished 9-4 despite not having a single player selected within the draft’s first three rounds. That speaks to Heupel’s coaching ability. On today's episode, hosts Blake Toppmeyer, Adam Sparks and John Adams unpack Tennessee’s production in the draft and why they think Jaylen Wright will become UT's most productive NFL player from this draft class. They also preview next year’s draft class, highlighted by edge rusher James Pierce, who profiles as a potential No. 1 overall pick. And, they consider this question: Is Tennessee’s draft performance cause for concern? Stay connected on Twitter with Blake (@btoppmeyer) and John (@JohnAdamsKNS) and stay up to date on SEC football news by subscribing to KnoxNews: knoxnews.com/subscribe.

Tennessee football can rest easy about its starting quarterback situation. Not only is Nico Iamaleava the starter, he's a star in the making. Iamaleava's tidy performance in Saturday's spring game reiterated that all is well with Tennessee's QB1. Elsewhere on the roster, it's more of a mixed situation. The Vols face areas they could solidify entering this spring transfer portal window. On today's episode, hosts Blake Toppmeyer and Adam Sparks review the spring game and address some lingering burning questions. Which areas of the roster look like strengths? Where does Tennessee require reinforcements? Who's the backup quarterback, and should Tennessee trust him? Let's dive in. Stay connected on Twitter with Blake (@btoppmeyer) Adam (@AdamSparks) Mike (@ByMikeWilson) and John (@JohnAdamsKNS) and stay up to date on Vols sports news by following @GoVolsXtra. Connect on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/GoVolsXtra/ Subscribe to KnoxNews: knoxnews.com/subscribe

The Lady Vols are all in on Kim Caldwell's upside. Tennessee athletic director Danny White didn't want to miss the boat on Caldwell or delay hiring a coach whose career is on an upward trajectory. Two years ago, Caldwell led Division II Glenville State to its first national championship. This season, her first as a Division I coach, she took Marshall to the NCAA Tournament. Now, she coaches a blueblood. Caldwell's fast track matches her teams' high-octane style of play. On today's episode, hosts Blake Toppmeyer, Cora Hall and John Adams review Caldwell's introductory presser, outline what success looks like in Year 1 and grade the hire. The verdict: Not an 'A' hire, but a passing grade. Stay connected on Twitter with Blake (@btoppmeyer) Adam (@AdamSparks) Cora (@corahalll) and John (@JohnAdamsKNS) and stay up to date on Vols sports news by following @GoVolsXtra. Connect on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/GoVolsXtra/ Subscribe to KnoxNews: knoxnews.com/subscribe

Danny White faces a big decision – his biggest decision, in fact, since he hired Josh Heupel in 2021. White is conducting a Lady Vols coaching search that will reshape the direction of the program. Kellie Harper maintained the program as an NCAA Tournament regular, but she repeatedly peaked in the Sweet 16, and the Lady Vols were eliminated in the second round this year. Recruiting momentum had stalled. White acted boldly by firing a coach who played for Summitt and who won 20 games this season. Now, he must be bold in his quest to hire just the fourth coach in program history. The last two Lady Vols coaches came from the Pat Summitt tree. Will White look outside the Lady Vols family for this hire? That seems likely. On today's episode, hosts Blake Toppmeyer, Cora Hall and John Adams weigh in on the Lady Vols search. First, they address the candidacy of Duke's Kara Lawson. Verdict: Lawson should not be viewed as the frontrunner. Then, each offers two swing-for-the-fences candidates, plus a fallback option. Stay connected on Twitter with Blake (@btoppmeyer) Adam (@AdamSparks) and John (@JohnAdamsKNS) and stay up to date on Vols sports news by following @GoVolsXtra. Connect on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/GoVolsXtra/ Subscribe to KnoxNews: knoxnews.com/subscribe

Rick Barnes and the Sweet 16 go hand and hand. The Vols are back among the NCAA Tournament’s final 16 teams standing in March Madness for the second straight year and the third time during Barnes’ tenure. But, this round of March Madness remains a familiar pitfall for Tennessee, which has never made a Final Four. Barnes’ lone Final Four appearance came in 2003 at Texas. He’s in the Sweet 16 for the ninth time. On today's episode, hosts Blake Toppmeyer, Mike Wilson and John Adams handicap the hurdles remaining in Tennessee’s path to the Final Four. One host says Purdue is the biggest obstacle, while the other two hosts make the case for Creighton. They also debate whether they're more or less confident in Tennessee after two rounds of March Madness. Tap the link in bio for more details. Stay connected on Twitter with Blake (@btoppmeyer) Adam (@AdamSparks) Mike (@ByMikeWilson) and John (@JohnAdamsKNS) and stay up to date on Vols sports news by following @GoVolsXtra. Connect on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/GoVolsXtra/ Subscribe to KnoxNews: knoxnews.com/subscribe

Tennessee’s early SEC Tournament exit cost the Vols a likely No. 1 NCAA seed. The silver lining: Tennessee won’t have to meet No. 1 overall seed UConn in the NCAA Tournament until the national championship. Also good news: Rick Barnes possesses his best team in a handful of years. But, Tennessee’s NCAA Tournament history remains an elephant in the room. The Vols never have reached a Final Four, and the program’s lone Elite Eight came in 2010, with Bruce Pearl as coach. On today's episode, hosts Blake Toppmeyer, Mike Wilson and John Adams assess Tennessee’s NCAA Tournament draw and handicap the Vols’ chances of making a deep run. Tennessee is the No. 2 seed in the Midwest Region, where Purdue is the No. 1. But, it's not Purdue that comes to mind first when predicting stumbling blocks for the Vols. Beware of Creighton. Stay connected on Twitter with Blake (@btoppmeyer) Adam (@AdamSparks) Mike (@ByMikeWilson) and John (@JohnAdamsKNS) and stay up to date on Vols sports news by following @GoVolsXtra. Connect on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/GoVolsXtra/ Subscribe to KnoxNews: knoxnews.com/subscribe

More than a trophy is at stake when the Tennessee basketball team takes the floor at the SEC Tournament in Nashville this week. A No. 1 seed could be on the line for the Vols (24-7). Some bracket experts are projecting Tennessee as a No. 1 seed for the NCAA Tournament, but such outlooks are subject to fluctuation. If the Vols bow out early in the conference tournament, they could surrender the inside track to a top seed. If they cut down the nets Sunday in Nashville, that likely would cement a No. 1 seed for Tennessee. But, to what extent does that even matter? On today's episode, hosts Blake Toppmeyer and Mike Wilson discuss the importance (or lack thereof) of the SEC Tournament for Tennessee. Win the SEC Tournament, and the Vols almost certainly are on the 1-line come Selection Sunday. But, is an SEC Tournament title a kiss of doom for March Madness? History warns of that. Stay connected on X with Blake Toppmeyer (@btoppmeyer) and Mike Wilson (@ByMikeWilson), and stay up to date on the Vols by following @GoVolsXtra. Connect on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/GoVolsXtra/ Subscribe to KnoxNews: knoxnews.com/subscribe

We're talking about practice. Spring practice. Tennessee will begin spring workouts on March 18. Let the Nico Iamaleava era take hold. Iamaleava's performance in his first career start, a bowl victory against Iowa, has Vols fans feeling optimistic about the 2024 season. The quarterback position being in capable hands could put Tennessee on a path toward College Football Playoff contention – but only if the Vols address a few important areas this spring. On today's episode, hosts Blake Toppmeyer and the Adam Sparks highlight four storylines to monitor throughout the Vols' spring, which will culminate with the spring game on April 13. They break down potential starters in the overhauled secondary and highlight transfers to watch. Stay connected on Twitter with Blake (@btoppmeyer) Adam (@AdamSparks) Mike (@ByMikeWilson) and John (@JohnAdamsKNS) and stay up to date on Vols sports news by following @GoVolsXtra. Connect on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/GoVolsXtra/ Subscribe to KnoxNews: knoxnews.com/subscribe

Perhaps it goes without saying. We’ll say it anyway. The Third Saturday in October will be the most important game on Tennessee’s 2024 schedule. Oh, sure, we realize the importance of a few other games. When the Vols face Georgia in mid-November, Kirby Smart’s Bulldogs may well be ranked No. 1. Tennessee’s September date at Oklahoma, Josh Heupel’s alma mater, will be another biggie. And be careful about overlooking an October game against Florida. Still, it feels as if Tennessee’s path to the College Football Playoff could go through Kalen DeBoer and his Crimson Tide. On today's episode, hosts Blake Toppmeyer and Adam Sparks assess Tennessee’s schedule and its path to the playoff. The 12-team playoff is big enough for a handful of SEC teams. The outcome of Alabama-Tennessee may decide one of the playoff’s final at-large bids. Also in this episode, Sparks ofers an update on the latest in the state of Tennessee’s lawsuit against the NCAA and the status of the NCAA’s investigation into the Vols. Stay connected on Twitter with Blake (@btoppmeyer) Adam (@AdamSparks) Mike (@ByMikeWilson) and John (@JohnAdamsKNS) and stay up to date on Vols sports news by following @GoVolsXtra. Connect on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/GoVolsXtra/ Subscribe to KnoxNews: knoxnews.com/subscribe

Is this finally the year Tennessee basketball makes a Final Four? We've wondered that about previous Rick Barnes teams, but Barnes has never advanced past the Sweet 16 with the Vols. That history suggests that Tennessee, despite its No. 5 national ranking and 20-6 record, is just teasing a hungry fan base before another postseason disappointment. But, there's something different about this team. Namely, this team has Dalton Knecht. On today's episode, hosts Blake Toppmeyer, Mike Wilson and John Adams assess whether these Vols are built for March (and April). They also identify sleeper teams that could make the Final Four. Stay connected on Twitter with Blake (@btoppmeyer) Adam (@AdamSparks) Mike (@ByMikeWilson) and John (@JohnAdamsKNS) and stay up to date on Vols sports news by following @GoVolsXtra. Connect on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/GoVolsXtra/ Subscribe to KnoxNews: knoxnews.com/subscribe

Maybe this is the NCAA’s way of doing Tennessee a favor. UT officials have decried the NCAA’s latest investigation into the Tennessee Vols, but if you think about it, the Vols can use this to their advantage. Tennessee’s response to this investigation can be loosely summarized as: Rules? What rules? Let’s make some deals. Sounds like a start to a recruiting pitch: Come to Tennessee, where the NCAA’s flimsy rules don’t matter, and the state government and university officials have your back. On today's episode, hosts Blake Toppmeyer, Adam Sparks and John Adams offer the latest on Tennessee vs. NCAA after Tuesday’s court hearing that occurred as part of a state lawsuit against the NCAA. The upshot: Tennessee enjoys the high ground and shouldn't be worried. Also in this episode, an explanation of why UT is limiting attendance of its spring game to just 10,000 fans. Are college sports becoming a luxury for the rich? Stay connected on Twitter with Blake (@btoppmeyer) Adam (@AdamSparks) Mike (@ByMikeWilson) and John (@JohnAdamsKNS) and stay up to date on Vols sports news by following @GoVolsXtra. Connect on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/GoVolsXtra/ Subscribe to KnoxNews: knoxnews.com/subscribe

Round 1 went to the NCAA. A more important Round 2 is set to be decided next week. Tennessee's legal clash with the NCAA is continuing to play out in the courtroom, and the state's attorney general doesn't seem too demoralized that a judge did not grant a temporary restraining order this week that would have halted the NCAA's NIL guidelines. That's because a bigger, longer-lasting ruling awaits next week. On today's episode, hosts Blake Toppmeyer, Adam Sparks and John Adams offer an update on the latest on the court case and the NCAA's investigation of the Vols. An injunction hearing looms, and the judge in this case may have tipped his hand at which way he'll rule. Plus, Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti tells Knox News that he thinks UT was unfairly targeted in the NCAA's ongoing investigation of UT. Stay connected on Twitter with Blake (@btoppmeyer) Adam (@AdamSparks) Mike (@ByMikeWilson) and John (@JohnAdamsKNS) and stay up to date on Vols sports news by following @GoVolsXtra. Connect on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/GoVolsXtra/ Subscribe to KnoxNews: knoxnews.com/subscribe

Tennessee is under NCAA investigation. Again. This time, the investigation involves potential violations to the NCAA’s flimsy NIL guidelines. And, this time, Tennessee is fighting back. UT Chancellor Donde Plowman has her elbows sharpened for this fight, and so does Vols AD Danny White. Perhaps more importantly, the Tennessee attorney general, Jonathan Skrmetti, is suing the NCAA. The lawsuit alleges that the NCAA's NIL guidelines violate the Sherman Antitrust Act and unlawfully restrict athletes' ability to monetize their name, image and likeness. On today's episode, hosts Blake Toppmeyer, Adam Sparks and John Adams unpack the investigation and the lawsuit and what they could mean – for the Vols and the NCAA. This investigation comes on the heels of a separate investigation in which the NCAA determined 18 Level I violations occurred during Jeremy Pruitt's coaching tenure. If the NCAA finds that Tennessee committed NIL violations, it may intend to impose harsh penalties, because the Vols would be a repeat offender. However, the NCAA routinely loses in court, and if it loses the judgement in this lawsuit, that could further hamstring the NCAA's ability to enforce its NIL guidelines. Stay connected on Twitter with Blake (@btoppmeyer) Adam (@AdamSparks) Mike (@ByMikeWilson) and John (@JohnAdamsKNS) and stay up to date on Vols sports news by following @GoVolsXtra. Connect on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/GoVolsXtra/ Subscribe to KnoxNews: knoxnews.com/subscribe

Tennessee football has its quarterback of its present and of its future. His name is Nico Iamaleava. And now, Tennessee appears to have its next quarterback of the future. His name is George MacIntyre. MacIntyre, a five-star prospect from Brentwood Academy, committed to Tennessee this week. He’s one of the nation’s best quarterback prospects and a top-15 recruit overall. He headlines Josh Heupel’s 2025 recruiting class. “This isn't a decision: It's a calling,” MacIntyre said of his commitment. On today's episode, hosts Blake Toppmeyer and John Adams assess what MacIntyre’s commitment means for the Vols. Their four key takeaways range from thoughts about Josh Heupel's recruiting chops to how this will affect Tennessee's future quarterback plans. Plus, they weigh in on Heupel's performance working the transfer portal this offseason. Stay connected on Twitter with Blake (@btoppmeyer) and John (@JohnAdamsKNS) and stay up to date on SEC football news by subscribing to KnoxNews: knoxnews.com/subscribe.

From Knoxville to Auburn and SEC football locales throughout the South, fans can rejoice in Nick Saban's retirement. Saban was especially hard on Tennessee. He went 16-1 against the Vols as Alabama's coach. Josh Heupel, in 2022, became the first UT coach to beat Saban's Tide. Alabama hired an accomplished coach in Kalen DeBoer, but it nonetheless may need a minute to adjust to life without Saban. Several talented Tide players are transferring. On today's episode, hosts Blake Toppmeyer and Adam Sparks discuss which programs benefit the most from Saban's retirement. Tennessee will host Alabama during the 2024 season. Suddenly, that game looks more winnable than ever. That puts more pressure on Heupel to produce a victory, but, pressure aside, this is good news for Tennessee. Saban's retirement increases the Vols' chance of qualifying for next season's College Football Playoff. But, Tennessee doesn't top the list of beneficiaries of Saban's retirement. Stay connected on Twitter with Blake (@btoppmeyer) Adam (@AdamSparks) Mike (@ByMikeWilson) and John (@JohnAdamsKNS) and stay up to date on Vols sports news by following @GoVolsXtra. Connect on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/GoVolsXtra/ Subscribe to KnoxNews: knoxnews.com/subscribe

Expectations are climbing for Tennessee’s 2024 season after Nico Iamaleava’s smashing success in his first career start in a bowl victory against Iowa. The freshman smoothly operated Tennessee’s offense while showing his athleticism as a runner during the Vols’ 35-0 victory. With Iamaleava’s performance still on the brain, there’s now chatter of Tennessee being a playoff contender next season. On today's episode, hosts Blake Toppmeyer, Adam Sparks and John Adams reflect on Iamaleava’s performance against the Hawkeyes, debate whether he should have replaced Joe Milton as starter during the season, and project what the Vols might be poised to achieve next season, with the reins in Iamaleava’s hands. The hosts disagree on whether Iamaleava should have become Tennessee's starter this season. Stay connected on Twitter with Blake (@btoppmeyer) Adam (@AdamSparks) Mike (@ByMikeWilson) and John (@JohnAdamsKNS) and stay up to date on Vols sports news by following @GoVolsXtra. Connect on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/GoVolsXtra/ Subscribe to KnoxNews: knoxnews.com/subscribe

Look up to see that the sky is not falling. It's still up there. Several Tennessee players are beelining for the transfer portal. That might seem unnerving. Look around, though, and you'll see this is happening at programs across the country. This exodus is not a UT problem. It's simply a reflection of the state of college football, where immediate eligibility for transfers and portal windows results in a flurry of outbound players each December. While Tennessee is losing some quantity, it is retaining most of its quality. Even so, there are a few outbound Vols whose absence could be felt in 2024. On today's episode, hosts Blake Toppmeyer and Adam Sparks assess Tennessee's defections and preview what's needed from inbound transfers. They rank the top three Vols in the portal who will be missed most in 2024. They also assess Josh Heupel's strategy as it pertains to juggling transfers with recruiting high school talent, and they weigh in on Tennessee's 2024 recruiting class that ranks 14th nationally in the 247Sports Composite. The December signing period begins next week. Stay connected on Twitter with Blake (@btoppmeyer) Adam (@AdamSparks) Mike (@ByMikeWilson) and John (@JohnAdamsKNS) and stay up to date on Vols sports news by following @GoVolsXtra. Connect on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/GoVolsXtra/ Subscribe to KnoxNews: knoxnews.com/subscribe

The transfer portal is open, and Tennessee needs to do a little holiday shopping. The Vols have legitimate needs to address for 2024. Defensive backs? Wide receivers? A tight end? Some offensive linemen? A backup quarterback? If the Vols are feeling gluttonous, they could do some big spending in the transfer market. On today's episode, hosts Blake Toppmeyer, Adam Sparks and John Adams offer their top needs for Tennessee to address via transfers. Stay connected on Twitter with Blake (@btoppmeyer) Adam (@AdamSparks) Mike (@ByMikeWilson) and John (@JohnAdamsKNS) and stay up to date on Vols sports news by following @GoVolsXtra. Connect on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/GoVolsXtra/ Subscribe to KnoxNews: knoxnews.com/subscribe