Tag: tennessee

Tennessee wide receiver Bru McCoy (5) after a NCAA football game between Tennessee and UTEP in Neyland Stadium on Saturday, November 23, 2024.

Former Tennessee WR Bru McCoy medically retires

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Former Tennessee wide receiver Bru McCoy announced his retirement from football due to medical reasons.

As a senior in 2024, he caught 39 passes for 472 yards and two touchdowns in 12 games for the Volunteers.

McCoy returned to play last season following multiple surgeries to repair a dislocated and fractured ankle in 2023.

“As many of you know I came back and played last year after what could’ve been a career ending injury,” he posted Tuesday on the social media platform X. “I felt it was my responsibility to myself, coaches, family, and most important the community I have here in Knoxville to give back for all of the love that has been shown for me.”

McCoy played one season at Southern California before transferring to Tennessee. His career totals included 129 receptions for 1,592 yards and nine TDs in 35 games for the Trojans (2020) and Volunteers (2022-24).

A five-star prospect out of Santa Ana, Calif., McCoy was ranked No. 10 nationally in the 2019 recruiting class by the 247Sports composite.

“This has been one of the toughest decisions of my life, but after careful consideration with my doctors, family and people closest to me, I’ve come to the conclusion that it’s the right path for my long-term health and well-being,” McCoy posted.

“… Although this chapter in my football journey has come to an end, I believe this is just the beginning. I’m excited about the next steps, and I’m determined to continue pushing myself in new directions. This is not the end of my pursuit of greatness, just a new beginning.”

–Field Level Media

Oct 19, 2024; Tucson, Arizona, USA; Colorado Buffalos cornerback Colton Hood (3) against the Arizona Wildcats at Arizona Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Colorado CB Colton Hood transferring to Tennessee

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Former Colorado cornerback Colton Hood announced on Friday that he is transferring to Tennessee.

Hood had been expected to take over for Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter in the Buffaloes’ secondary.

He had 24 tackles and two interceptions in 13 games in his lone season playing for coach Deion Sanders in 2024.

Hood, a native of Georgia, played his freshman season at Auburn, appearing in four games in 2023.

Hood told On3.com Friday that he liked the “culture and history” at Tennessee and the “genuineness” of Volunteers head coach Josh Heupel.

“They basically said I can come in and play and be a big factor of what they got going on immediately,” Hood said. “So I think that’s big, too.”

He also said he is excited to play closer to home and test his skills against Southeastern Conference opponents.

“That’s really big because I was just at Colorado, which is really far, really, really far from home,” Hood said. “So being able to come closer to home is big for myself.

“It is appealing going against the best. I pride myself on competitiveness, so that is very appealing.”

Coming off a 10-3 season, Tennessee kicks off the 2025 campaign against Syracuse on Aug. 30 in Atlanta.

–Field Level Media

College Football Hall of Famer, Tennessee great Steve Kiner dies

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College Football Hall of Famer Steve Kiner, a two-time All-American linebacker at Tennessee, died Thursday. He was 77.

The National Football Foundation and Tennessee announced his death. No cause of death was revealed.

“We are deeply saddened by the passing of Steve Kiner, a true legend of our game,” NFF chairman Archie Manning said in a news release. “Steve’s remarkable career at Tennessee was defined by toughness, leadership and excellence, and he leaves behind a legacy that extends well beyond the football field. We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends and the entire Volunteer community.”

Kiner was a consensus All-American as a junior in 1968 and a unanimous All-American in 1969 when he was the SEC Defensive Player of the Year. He intercepted five passes that season and finished ninth in Heisman Trophy balloting.

Kiner was a third-round pick of the Dallas Cowboys in 1970 and played eight NFL seasons. He had 19 sacks and 10 interceptions in 114 games (99 starts) with the Cowboys (1970), New England Patriots (1971, 1973) and Houston Oilers (1974-78).

Kiner was inducted into the College Hall of Fame in 1999 and the Tennessee Athletics Hall of Fame in 2016.

–Field Level Media

Oct 20, 2024; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Tyler Lockett (16) celebrates after a victory over the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images

WR Tyler Lockett signing one-year deal with Titans

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Free agent wideout Tyler Lockett announced he is signing a one-year deal with the Tennessee Titans.

“I’m excited to be a Tennessee Titan!!” the longtime Seattle Seahawks receiver posted Wednesday night on X. “I’m super thankful and grateful. Let’s get it!! God you get all the glory!!”

The deal is for $4 million and worth up to $6 million with incentives, ESPN reported.

The Seahawks parted ways with Lockett, 32, on March 5 after 10 seasons. Seattle saved $17 million, including a $5.3 million roster bonus that was due March 16.

Lockett finished with 49 catches for 600 yards and two touchdowns in 17 games (14 starts) last season.

A one-time All-Pro and Pro Bowl selection, Lockett has 661 receptions for 8,594 receiving yards and 61 touchdowns in his career. Each total ranks second only to Hall of Famer Steve Largent in Seattle history.

Lockett was selected by the Seahawks in the third round of the 2015 NFL Draft out of Kansas State.

The Titans and Seahawks are scheduled to meet in Nashville during the 2025 season. The NFL schedule will be released in mid-May.

–Field Level Media

Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava (8) walks off the field after the win over Kentucky after an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024, in Knoxville, Tenn.

QB Nico Iamaleava commits to UCLA after Tennessee exit

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Nico Iamaleava is officially headed to UCLA, one week after the quarterback’s messy, NIL-driven departure from Tennessee.

Iamaleava’s representation went to Tennessee seeking to renegotiate the former five-star prospect’s name, image and likeness deal, On3 first reported last week. The deal Iamaleava originally signed with Tennessee’s collective out of high school paid him $2.4 million per year; Iamaleava’s camp was seeking $4 million annually.

When Iamaleava skipped practice and team meetings April 11, the day before the Volunteers’ spring game, it prompted coach Josh Heupel to part ways with the QB.

Iamaleava entered the transfer portal when it opened for the spring window this week. UCLA was long considered a potential destination, partly because he is from Long Beach, Calif., and his younger brother Madden was once committed to the Bruins before reneging and choosing Arkansas.

“My journey at UT has come to an end,” Iamaleava wrote in an Instagram post Sunday. “This decision was incredibly difficult, and truthfully, not something I expected to make this soon. But I trust God’s timing, and I believe He’s leading me where I need to be.

“Even though this chapter is ending, a new chapter has begun and I am committed to UCLA!”

The details of Iamaleava’s NIL agreement at UCLA were not yet known, but he is presumed to be the Bruins’ new No. 1 quarterback entering the 2025 season.

–Field Level Media

Dec 21, 2024; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Tennessee Volunteers quarterback Nico Iamaleava (8) throws against the Ohio State Buckeyes during the second half of the College Football Playoff first round game at Ohio Stadium. Ohio State won 42-17. Mandatory Credit: Adam Cairns-Imagn Images

Nico Iamaleava out as Tennessee QB in NIL dispute

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Starting quarterback Nico Iamaleava is out at Tennessee amid a contract dispute, multiple outlets reported Saturday.

Tennessee will play its spring Orange & White game without Iamaleava on Saturday, and he is no longer with the program, per reports. Coach Josh Heupel is expected to talk about the situation after the game.

Iamaleava and the school had been in discussions over his name, image and likeness money. The Knoxville News Sentinel reported that Iamaleava, 20, wanted an increase from his more than $2 million annual NIL package, with ESPN adding he was seeking to double that amount.

He didn’t show up to practice on Friday and is not speaking with coaches, and that apparently was the final straw for Heupel and Tennessee.

The spring transfer portal opens Wednesday, and Iamaleava can enter then. As a redshirt sophomore, he will have three seasons of eligibility remaining.

Without Iamaleava, redshirt freshman Jake Merklinger and freshman George MacIntyre move into the lead for the starting job. Heupel also could look to the portal for an experienced QB.

ESPN reported that officials from Tennessee’s NIL collective already are in contact with representatives for potential 2025 quarterbacks.

Iamaleava played sparingly as a freshman in 2023 before taking over the starting role last fall. In his first season as a starter, he completed 63.8 percent of his passes for 2,616 yards and 19 touchdowns against five interceptions, leading Tennessee to a 10-3 record and a College Football Playoff appearance.

The Vols finished ninth in the final AP poll following their 42-17 first-round loss to eventual champion Ohio State.

When Iamaleava was in high school in Southern California, 247Sports ranked him as the No. 2 quarterback and the No. 2 player in the nation, behind Arch Manning, in the Class of 2023.

–Field Level Media

Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava (8) walks off the field after the win over Kentucky after an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024, in Knoxville, Tenn.

Reports: Vols QB Nico Iamaleava out of practice amid NIL talks

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Tennessee football received a surprise when quarterback Nico Iamaleava opted not to attend Friday’s spring practice, according to multiple media reports.

Iamaleava, 20, is attempting to negotiate for more NIL money, per On3.com, with his absence presumably tied to those conversations.

Tennessee is scheduled to hold its Orange & White Spring Game Saturday, while the spring transfer portal window opens on Wednesday.

The current situation might qualify as one of college football’s first-ever contract holdouts.

ESPN reported that Iamaleava’s existing deal, which is scheduled to pay him more than $8 million over his entire college career, is being rejected by Iamaleava and his camp, who desire $4 million a season instead.

Iamaleava played sparingly as a freshman in 2023 before taking over the starting role last fall. In his first season as a starter, he completed 63.8 percent of his passes for 2,616 yards and 19 touchdowns against five interceptions, leading Tennessee to a 10-3 record and a College Football Playoff appearance.

The Vols finished ninth in the final AP poll following their 42-17 first-round loss to eventual champion Ohio State.

–Field Level Media

Miami Hurricanes quarterback Cam Ward (1) drops back to pass against the Iowa State Cyclones in the first quarter during the Pop Tarts bowl at Camping World Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

Titans 2025 draft needs, picks, best fits, history

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Soliciting a package of top-100 picks and repeating the sentiment in media sessions that the franchise is “open for business” didn’t bring a flotilla of trade offers to the Tennessee Titans.

So are the rebuilding Titans up a creek without a trade partner at No. 1?

Not exactly.

The franchise is armed with the top overall selection in the 2025 NFL Draft and most signs point to selecting Miami quarterback Cameron Ward, but nothing is diecast at No. 1 given the uncertain history of the new decision-makers in the Titans’ power structure.

Options in the conversation beyond Ward, such as playmaker and Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter and pass rusher Abdul Carter, might be better fits for a team with a proven roster closer to contending.

Does Ward fit the pressing need at the QB position? Arguably, he does, rating as the only top 20 quarterback in the draft according to Field Level Media’s composite rankings.

Head coach Brian Callahan lived what he said is NFL truth: Franchise quarterbacks are priceless. Callahan helped develop Joe Burrow, the No. 1 pick of the Bengals in 2020. He also has many points of reference as a QB coach and coordinator to help measure the potential for Will Levis to develop after an erratic first year together.

Burrow’s only issues at the NFL level have been taking too many sacks (196 in his young career to date) — pinned mostly on a fragile front five — and the resulting injuries from the constant pounding (knee, calf, wrist).

General manager Mike Borgonzi was with the Chiefs when Patrick Mahomes was picked 10th in 2017 and experienced every season of his NFL brilliance before taking over in Nashville in January. The two most meaningful games Mahomes lost in his career were both blamed in large part on a leaky offensive line.

Borgonzi doesn’t want to leave that possibility open.

Previous GM Ran Carthon didn’t leave the cupboard bare. He selected two offensive linemen in the top 11 — Peter Skoronski in 2023 (11th overall) and JC Latham in 2024 (seventh overall) — and Borgonzi signed left tackle Dan Moore from the Steelers in free agency to solidify a group that could help keep the runway clear for Ward to lead a turnaround in Tennessee.

Team needs
Pass rusher
An interior pairing of 2024 second-rounder T’Vondre Sweat and Jeffery Simmons serves as a solid foundation, but the Titans’ 3-4 defense can’t function without a pass rusher. Harold Landry was more technique and persistence than explosive and twitchy, which is the order of the day for coordinator Dennard Wilson.

Quarterback
Will Levis being on the roster is a thinly clipped insurance plan for the Titans receiving a Herschel Walker- or Ricky Williams-type offer in the days before the draft. The job will go to a rookie and Ward has the maturity, makeup and live arm to be a quality NFL starter.

Wide receiver
Playmakers are in short supply with no surefire No. 1 receiver, no matter how optimistic the team claims to be about Calvin Ridley.

Best prospect fits
QB Cameron Ward, Miami
OLB Abdul Carter, Penn State
Edge Jalon Walker, Georgia
DE James Pearce Jr., Tennessee
WR Luther Burden III, Missouri

2025 draft picks by round
Total picks: 8
By round (pick in round, overall pick)
1: 1, 1
2: 3, 35
4: 1, 103
4: 18, 120 (from Seattle Seahawks)
5: 3, 141
5: 29, 167 (from Kansas City Chiefs)
6: 2, 178
6: 12, 188 (from Dallas Cowboys)

History Lesson
–The last time the franchise had the No. 1 pick was 1978. The then-Houston Oilers drafted Texas RB Earl Campbell.
–In three of the past five drafts and five of the past 10 years, the Titans used their first-round pick on an offensive lineman (2014, 2016, 2020, 2023, 2024).
–In 2015 with the No. 2 overall pick, the Titans drafted QB Marcus Mariota.

–Field Level Media

Tennessee Head Coach Jeremy Pruitt runs off the field after a game between Tennessee and Auburn at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala. Saturday, Oct. 13, 2018. Tennessee defeated Auburn 30-24. Auburntennessee1013 1831 RANK 10

Ex-Tennessee football coach suing NCAA for $100M

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Former Tennessee football coach Jeremy Pruitt filed a lawsuit this week against the NCAA seeking $100 million over the fallout from his firing four years ago for recruiting violations.

The lawsuit filed on Wednesday in DeKalb County, Ala., claims that the NCAA conspired with the university to make him “the sacrificial lamb for conduct that long preceded his tenure at UT.”

Tennessee hired Pruitt in December 2017, replacing Butch Jones. Pruitt was fired for cause in January 2021 after going 16-19 in three seasons and did not receive any of his $12.6 million buyout.

In July 2023, Tennessee learned that all 11 wins from the 2019 and 2020 seasons had been vacated as part of the punishment for the alleged violations during Pruitt’s tenure.

The NCAA also issued a six-year show-cause penalty and one-year suspension against Pruitt, who has not coached in college football since. He is currently helping to coach at Alabama’s Plainview High School, his alma mater.

Pruitt’s lawsuit claims that Tennessee was paying players before he was hired. He said he informed then-athletic director Phillip Fulmer of the payments and Fulmer told Pruitt “he would handle it,” per the lawsuit.

In the lawsuit, Pruitt, 50, claims that he has suffered damages including lost wages, future lost wages, damage to his reputation, emotional distress and mental anguish.

Pruitt’s attorneys issued a statement to USA Today.

“We stand wholeheartedly behind Coach Pruitt’s claims as detailed in the complaint,” the statement read. “While we appreciate the public’s interest in this matter, we do not intend to try Coach Pruitt’s case in the media. Coach Pruitt’s claims deserve to be evaluated by an Alabama jury. We intend to give Jeremy the fair and impartial forum that the NCAA would not allow.”

The NCAA released a statement in response to the lawsuit.

“NCAA rules are proposed and adopted by member schools and penalties for violations are imposed by a committee of representatives from NCAA member schools and conferences as well as individuals from the public who have legal training,” the statement read. “In this case, the Committee on Infractions found violations and assigned penalties, both of which were affirmed by the Infractions Appeals Committee.”

Tennessee issued a statement saying it is “confident in the actions taken in the Pruitt case. We will continue to prioritize our student-athletes and winning with integrity.”

–Field Level Media

Nov 10, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA;New England Patriots place kicker Joey Slye (13) kicks a field goal against the Chicago Bears during the second half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images

Report: Titans agree to deal with K Joey Slye

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The Tennessee Titans are signing veteran kicker Joey Slye, NFL Network reported Monday.

Contract terms were not disclosed.

Slye kicked for the New England Patriots last season and made 26 of his 33 field-goal attempts, including a career-long 63-yarder. His 78.8 percentage was the lowest of his career since his rookie season in 2019 with the Carolina Panthers.

He also has played for the Houston Texans, San Francisco 49ers and Washington Commanders.

In 95 career games, Slye has connected on 81.7 percent of his field goals (147 of 180) and 89.6 percent of his PATs, including a career-high 96.2 percent last season.

Slye, 28, would replace Nick Folk, who led the NFL in kicking percentage on field goals the past two seasons but can’t provide the distance that Slye can. The 40-year-old Folk is a free agent.

–Field Level Media