Tag: Vols

Feb 26, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Tennessee defensive back Jermod McCoy (DB20) speaks to media members during the NFL Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Jacob Musselman-Imagn Images

Tennessee CB Jermod McCoy recovered from torn ACL

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Tennessee cornerback Jermod McCoy is ready to fight his way back into the debate among candidates to be the first cover man off the board in the 2026 NFL Draft.

McCoy said Thursday at the NFL Scouting Combine that he’s fully recovered from the torn ACL in January 2025 that required him to sit out the 2025 season. He won’t participate in on-field testing in Indianapolis but is anticipating a crowd at Tennessee’s pro day. McCoy said he has been cleared for months and considered returning for part of the regular season with the Vols before determining his next step was to the NFL.

“I got cleared,” the 20-year-old said. “I was doing everything, practicing, everything. I just didn’t feel ready yet.”

A second-team All-American in 2024, McCoy played one season at Tennessee following his transfer from Oregon State. This week, McCoy underwent a full medical evaluation, common for every pro prospect invited to the annual combine, and has no concerns about his health moving forward.

“I can do everything,” McCoy said of his current physical capacity.

While he was out, Tennessee’s Colton Hood emerged as a shutdown cornerback, giving the Vols a pair of candidates to be selected in the first round in April. LSU’s Mansoor Delane and Avieon Terrell of Clemson are also in the top 25 overall and probable first-rounders.

Delane gave up only 13 receptions and six first downs in the 2025 season. And the All-American is hardly one-dimensional.

He said he plays with “maturation” but thrives in the physical aspect of the game to the extent he would rather play middle linebacker.

“Others might be scared to tackle but I love it,” he said.

–Field Level Media

Tennessee quarterback Joey Aguilar (6) looks towards the stands as he walks off the field after the loss to Illinois in the Music City Bowl NCAA college football game on Dec. 30, 2025, in Nashville, Tennessee.

Tennessee QB Joey Aguilar gets restraining order against NCAA

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Tennessee quarterback Joey Aguilar received a 15-day temporary restraining order in his lawsuit against the NCAA on Wednesday, a move that briefly aids him as he seeks another year of eligibility.

Aguilar, 24, filed the suit in Knox County (Tenn.) Chancery Court last week. He has an injunction hearing on Friday.

He is seeking a fourth season of Division I football, as opposed to having his two years in junior college counting against his eligibility.

“This outcome — after the plaintiff withdrew from a federal lawsuit and separately filed a lawsuit in state court with the exact same facts — illustrates the impossible situation created by differing court decisions that serve to undermine rules agreed to by the same NCAA members who later challenge them in court,” the NCAA said in a statement after the TRO was issued.

“We will continue to defend the NCAA’s eligibility rules against repeated attempts to rob high school students of the opportunity to compete in college and experience the life-changing opportunities only college sports can create. The NCAA and its member schools are making changes to deliver more benefits to student-athletes, but the patchwork of state laws and inconsistent, conflicting court decisions make partnering with Congress essential to provide stability for all college athletes.”

Aguilar redshirted at a community college in 2019 before his school’s 2020 season was canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

He then played at Diablo Valley (Calif.) Community College from 2021-22 before transferring to Appalachian State, where he spent the next two seasons. He then transferred to Knoxville and won the starting job for the 2025 season.

In 13 games for the Volunteers, Aguilar completed 67.3% of his passes for 3,565 yards with 24 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. He also rushed for 101 yards and four scores.

Aguilar passed for 121 yards and rushed for a touchdown in Tennessee’s 30-28 loss to Illinois in the Music City Bowl in Nashville, Tenn.

He underwent surgery on Jan. 2 to remove a benign tumor on his arm, however he expects to be fully recovered by later this month.

Tennessee starts spring practice on March 16.

–Field Level Media

Illinois fights past Tennessee to capture Music City Bowl

Posted on | by Field Level Media

David Olano kicked a game-winning 29-yard field goal as time expired and Luke Altmyer passed and ran for one touchdown apiece as Illinois edged Tennessee 30-28 on Tuesday in the Music City Bowl in Nashville.

Illinois (9-4) secured nine-plus victories in consecutive seasons for the first time. Bret Bielema also became the first Fighting Illini coach to earn a bowl victory in successive campaigns.

A senior and third-year starter, Altmyer shined in his Illinois swan song. He went 20-for-33 passing for 196 yards and a touchdown while rushing 10 times for 54 yards and a TD.

“I am so glad I play in the best conference in America,” said Altmyer, who was selected the game’s Most Valuable Player.

Aidan Laughery gained 77 yards on 13 carries for Illinois, which outgained Tennessee 417-278.

Jordan Anderson’s 13-yard run on fourth-and-1 from the Tennessee 31 helped set up the winning kick for Olano, who also connected from 30 and 28 yards.

Tennessee (8-5) drew within 24-21 on DeSean Bishop’s 12-yard rushing touchdown with 11:40 remaining. Tennessee limited the Fighting Illini to Olano’s 28-yard field goal with 5:14 to go, then stormed ahead as Joakim Dodson returned the ensuing kickoff 94 yards for a touchdown and a 28-27 Volunteers lead.

Joey Aguilar was 14-for-18 for 121 yards for Tennessee, while Bishop rushed 19 times for 93 yards and two touchdowns.

The Fighting Illini were in control for much of the game and twice led by 10 points, including when linebacker Leon Lowery Jr. recovered the ball in the end zone after Joe Barna’s strip sack of Aguilar early in the third quarter.

Illinois led 10-7 at halftime as Bielema twice bypassed field goal attempts in favor of going for it on fourth down. Illinois was unable to convert in both instances, turning the ball over on downs from the Tennessee 33 and 29.

Tennessee capitalized on the first such instance, driving 67 yards in 11 plays and punctuating the possession with Aguilar’s 7-yard scoring run with 6:16 remaining in the first quarter.

Illinois answered with a touchdown on the ensuing drive, with Altmyer connecting with Justin Bowick for an 18-yard TD with 36 seconds left in the first.

Olano kicked a 30-yard field goal with 21 seconds left in the second quarter after Volunteers counterpart Max Gilbert was wide right from 39 yards about three minutes earlier.

Tennessee has lost 23 straight games when trailing by 10 points or more in the fourth quarter.

–Field Level Media

Oct 25, 2025; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Tennessee Volunteers quarterback Joey Aguilar (6) looks of an open receiver during the first quarter against the Kentucky Wildcats at Kroger Field. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-Imagn Images

No. 14 Tennessee brings high-powered offense to clash with No. 18 Oklahoma

Posted on | by Field Level Media

It’s become the norm for Oklahoma to face some of the top offenses in college football.

The 18th-ranked Sooners’ defense has had plenty of strong moments in showdowns with Texas and Ole Miss, though Oklahoma lost both of those games.

Saturday brings another tough test when the Sooners take on No. 14 Tennessee in Knoxville, Tenn.

Oklahoma coach Brent Venables narrowed in on Volunteers quarterback Joey Aguilar when asked about the challenge of defending the Tennessee offense.

“He’s helped their offense just be incredibly efficient and explosive,” Venables said. “He’s thrown the deep ball with great, great accuracy, and he’s allowed them to stay on schedule through all eight games.”

The Volunteers (6-2, 3-2 SEC) come into the game second nationally in points per game at 45.6, and third in total offense (510.1 yards per game) and passing offense (266.3).

Aguilar has thrown for 2,344 yards and 18 touchdowns with six interceptions.

The Sooners are sixth nationally in points allowed per game at 12.5, tied for fourth in first downs allowed (103) and second in sacks per game at 3.6.

“Their front’s big, strong, physical, relentless,” Tennessee coach Josh Heupel said. “Tackles for loss, sacks, not giving up a bunch of big plays – huge test.”

Both teams are looking for better things from their weaker sides of the ball, though.

In last week’s 56-34 win over Kentucky, the Volunteers gave up 476 yards, including 330 through the air.

“It takes 11 guys doing their job at a high level ultimately,” Heupel said. “Yeah, our personnel is different in some places, and that forces you at times to be different too, in positions that you’re putting some of your guys in.”

Oklahoma’s offense hasn’t been nearly as good in recent weeks as it was early in the season.

The Sooners (6-2, 2-2) are still 99th nationally in rushing at 130.1 yards per game but hope they’ve found something in sophomore Xavier Robinson, who ran for 109 yards and two touchdowns on just nine carries in last week’s 34-26 loss to Ole Miss.

“There’s a lot of stuff to build on,” Oklahoma offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle said. “It all just comes down to a mindset and a certain physicality that you have. … It’s been nice to get it going a little bit but it ain’t good enough. It’s not. We’ve got to keep on getting better at it.”

Oklahoma is also searching for better things from quarterback John Mateer, who excelled early in the season but who has taken a step back since returning from a hand injury that kept him out of the Oct. 4 game vs. Kent State.

“There’s an opportunity,” Mateer said. “That’s all you can dream for as a man and as a football player – just the opportunity to bounce back and to play.”

There’s plenty of familiarity between the staffs.

Heupel quarterbacked the Sooners to the 2000 national title with Venables serving as the team’s co-defensive coordinator.

Volunteers’ offensive coordinator Joey Halzle and analysts Seth Littrell and Landry Jones are also former Sooners.

The game is the second between the teams in SEC play. Tennessee won last year’s game 25-15 in Norman.

Saturday’s meeting is the second between the programs in Knoxville.

Oklahoma won the previous meeting, 31-24, in double overtime in 2015.

-Field Level Media

Sep 6, 2025; Athens, Georgia, USA; Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Gunner Stockton (14) throws a pass against the Austin Peay Governors in the fourth quarter at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images

No. 6 Georgia to face first big test from No. 15 Tennessee

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Eager to snap a prolonged losing streak against their hated rival, the No. 15 Tennessee Volunteers host the No. 6 Georgia Bulldogs in Knoxville, Tenn., in each team’s Southeastern Conference opener.

Tennessee (2-0) has breezed past Syracuse and East Tennessee State, but an entirely new energy will surround Neyland Stadium on Saturday. With ESPN’s “College GameDay” coming to town for the 55th all-time meeting between the longtime SEC foes, the Volunteers are out to end an eight-year skid against Georgia.

“We know the test that we have in front of us facing a really good Georgia football team,” Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel said. “It’s a great weekend. It’s an opportunity for ‘GameDay’ to be here on the biggest stage in college football.”

Following the offseason drama surrounding the exit of Nico Iamaleava, fifth-year quarterback Joey Aguilar has taken the reins under center and impressed through two weeks. The transfer from Appalachian State (2023-24 seasons) and UCLA (spring 2025) has thrown for 535 yards and five touchdowns across the two blowout victories ahead of his biggest test.

“I’m super excited,” Aguilar said of facing Georgia. “But it’s another team on our schedule that we have to go out and play. Excited for the week of preparation, going out there and trusting my guys and playing how we play.”

Tennessee hasn’t beaten Georgia since Joshua Dobbs hit Jauan Jennings on a Hail Mary as time expired in 2016, providing a 34-31 victory in Athens in arguably the rivalry’s most iconic moment — at least from the Vols’ perspective.

Since first-year Georgia head coach Kirby Smart lost that game, the Bulldogs have had a stranglehold in the series, including three consecutive ranked wins over the Volunteers. Nonetheless, Smart knows as well as anyone that last year’s 31-17 win has little to do with Saturday.

“When you play in the SEC and you’re in these really tough Top 10 matchups, Top 25 matchups, they can go either way a lot of times,” Smart said. “They’ve played us physical, we’ve played them physical. I think being at home usually helps either team, but I don’t know that you can attribute it to anything, because this year has nothing to do with previous years.”

Like Tennessee, Georgia (2-0) hasn’t faced a true challenge through two home games. After beating Marshall by 38 points, the Bulldogs sleepwalked through a 28-6 win over FCS opponent Austin Peay in Week 2.

Quarterback Gunner Stockton is slated to make the first road start of his career in front of 101,915 fans in Knoxville, signaling his first “welcome to the SEC” moment.

“Me being in this league for a long time, it plays a factor on the ability to execute when you’re in an environment that someone’s never been in,” Smart said. “As a coach, you have to be smart about what you’re asking them to execute, because at the end of the day, that’s what it is. Who can execute, who can block and tackle, and who can be physical.”

Stockton has thrown for 417 yards and two touchdowns, while adding 86 yards and a pair of scores on the ground through two home starts.

“I think he’s going to be great,” Smart said of Stockton’s first road start. “It’s something that we practice all year round. I don’t believe in waiting till the week of the game. We do it in spring. We do it all preseason camp. We put a lot of pressure on the players in practice to communicate.”

-Field Level Media

Nov 9, 2024; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers defensive back Boo Carter (23) runs with the ball against the Mississippi State Bulldogs during the first half at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Saul Young/USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images

Tennessee coach Josh Heupel: DB Boo Carter still with team

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Tennessee coach Josh Heupel confirmed Tuesday that star defensive back Boo Carter still is with the team.

The Knoxville News Sentinel reported last week that Carter had missed “numerous” team activities and had been confronted by team leaders about the absences.

Heupel addressed the situation Tuesday during the Volunteers’ on-campus media day. Preseason practice begins on Wednesday, and the season opens Aug. 30 against Syracuse in Atlanta.

“Boo is a part of our team here,” Heupel said, per On3.com. “There’s some things he’s got to accomplish to get back on the field here. Don’t have a set timetable on that.

“Our leadership council has been a part of those things, those discussions, with me and with Boo. I’m proud of what they’ve done. They care and love Boo, and want him to be his best, too. And through this thing, I think Boo sees that as well.”

As a freshman in 2024, Carter contributed 38 tackles, one interception and one sack in 13 games. He also returned 12 punts for 198 yards, a 16.5-yard average.

–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

Posted on | by Field Level Media

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

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

Posted on | by Field Level Media

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

Nov 16, 2024; Athens, Georgia, USA; Tennessee Volunteers head coach Josh Heupel shown walking off the field after the game against the Georgia Bulldogs at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

No. 11 Tennessee looks for complete effort against UTEP

Posted on | by Field Level Media

After losing to Southeastern Conference rival Georgia again last weekend, No. 11 Tennessee might be licking its wounds a bit.

The Volunteers (8-2) will close out their home slate Saturday afternoon with what will likely be an easier matchup, facing Conference USA foe UTEP (2-8) in Knoxville, Tenn.

The Volunteers are looking to rebound from a 31-17 drubbing at the hands of Georgia last Saturday.

Tennessee sprinted out of the gate and led 10-0 after the first quarter, however coach Kirby Smart’s team found its footing and steamrolled the Volunteers.

“It’s an opportunity for us to grow as a football team and continue to get better,” Tennessee coach Josh Heupel said of facing the Miners on Senior Day. “It’s the next step forward for us.”

Heupel said his players are good enough and have the type of culture to put an eighth straight setback against Georgia behind them.

“They made last week a big game because of what they’ve invested,” he said. “We’re in the arena and we’ve got to go make it happen. … There are areas we’ve got to get better.

“There are just too many instances of Tennessee hurting Tennessee on Saturday, and that’s not taking anything away from Georgia. But the things that we can control, we’ve got to be better at.”

The bad news for the Volunteers was they were tabbed 11th in the rankings, trailing fellow SEC members No. 7 Alabama, No. 9 Ole Miss and No. 10 Georgia.

Tennessee will close out its season against in-state rival Vanderbilt on the road in Nashville next Saturday.

The Miners have not been in many positions where they led from the outset or had a chance to win, but they did two weeks ago against Kennesaw State in a game that went past regulation.

In the second overtime, Kenny Odom caught a 16-yard pass from Skyler Locklear as UTEP earned a 43-35 double overtime win over the Owls.

Locklear fired four touchdown passes, Odom caught three of them and UTEP’s “Orange Swarm” defense forced three straight incompletions to end the contest.

That performance earned Locklear the conference’s Offensive Player of the Week honors, while Kory Chapman was honored as the Conference USA Defensive Player of the Week.

Lockler has completed 67.0 percent of his passes with nine touchdowns and five interceptions this season. Odom, in turn, has 642 receiving yards and seven touchdown receptions.

The team has found itself in tight games lately: The last four outcomes — two wins and two losses — have all been decided by single digits.

“I’m so proud of this team, and I’ve been talking about perseverance all year,” UTEP coach Scotty Walden said after the Senior Day/Homecoming win. “That’s exactly what they did; they persevered through adversity. … We played with a lot of pride and a lot of passion.”

Tennessee and UTEP have only met once, a 24-0 Volunteers victory on Sept. 15, 2018, in Knoxville.

–Field Level Media

Oct 12, 2024; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Jalen Milroe (4) tries to avoid a tackle attempt by South Carolina Gamecocks defensive back Jalon Kilgore (24) at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Alabama defeated South Carolina 27-25. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-Imagn Images

Jalen Milroe, No. 7 Alabama set sights on No. 11 Tennessee

Posted on | by Field Level Media

In past seasons, losing a second game on the third Saturday in October would leave a team’s playoffs hope in major jeopardy.

But with the current campaign being the first for a 12-team playoff, a second loss this soon is no longer a killer. That’s good news for No. 7 Alabama and No. 11 Tennessee when they battle on Saturday at Knoxville, Tenn.

The Southeastern Conference showdown still is vitally important as the winner maintains the chance of landing one of the four first-round byes.

Tennessee (5-1, 2-1 SEC) also is trying to turn around a series in which it has dropped 16 of the past 17 meetings. The win was two years ago (52-49) when the Crimson Tide (5-1, 2-1) last visited town.

“Another huge contest here for us,” Volunteers coach Josh Heupel said Monday. “Rivalry game and college football as good as it gets here with these two teams playing. So looking forward to seeing our fans out on Saturday and needing a great week of practice preparation for a really good football team that we’re playing.”

The contest marks Alabama’s first game against Tennessee since 2006 without Nick Saban as coach.

“This rivalry has been around a long time before Nick Saban was a part of it or I was a part of it,” said Heupel, coaching against the Crimson Tide for the fourth time. “The magnitude of this rivalry is the historical nature and what it’s meant inside of this league a lot.”

First-year Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer has been hearing about the importance of this game for months.

“I’ve been told it’s a big deal, and I know it’s a big deal. You see it from afar,” DeBoer said Monday. “As a coach, they’re all big and you take one at a time. But certainly understand the significance of the rivalry. Guys are going to be very motivated to go out and do their best and prepare well and be great on Saturday.”

The Crimson Tide haven’t displayed their best side lately. Two weeks ago, they were ranked No. 1 when they sustained a 40-35 road loss against lowly Vanderbilt. Last week, only a failed two-point conversion prevented visiting South Carolina from pushing the game into overtime as Alabama escaped 27-25.

Star quarterback Jalen Milroe has been a season-long standout for the Crimson Tide while accounting for 23 touchdowns (12 passing, 11 rushing). Milroe has averaged 41.4 yards on his 12 passing scores and has completed 72.4 percent of his passes.

However, Milroe threw two interceptions against South Carolina. DeBoer said he discussed the mistakes with Milroe, who has thrown four picks on the season.

“We just keep stacking these moments on top of these moments,” DeBoer said. “He’ll remember anything that happened this game. He’s gonna remember what happened to him four weeks ago, and that’s what I love about him.”

Freshman wideout Ryan Williams has been part of many of the big plays with a 25.0-yard average. Seven of his 23 catches have gone for 43 or more yards.

Tennessee, though, has been stout defensively. The Volunteers rank second nationally in total defense (249.8 yards per game) and fourth in scoring defense (10.7).

But the unit sustained a big blow in last Saturday’s 23-17 overtime victory over Florida when linebacker Keenan Pili (knee) was lost for the season.

Star running back Dylan Sampson has stood out by rushing for 699 yards and 15 touchdowns, the latter ranking second nationally behind Boise State star Ashton Jeanty. In fact, the TD count is already fourth best in Vols’ history. Gene McEver holds the single-season record of 18 in 1929.

Sampson rushed for 112 yards and three touchdowns against the Gators. It was his fifth 100-yard outing of the season.

–Field Level Media