Alabama A&M retracts statement on Medrick Burnett Jr.’s death

Alabama A&M linebacker Medrick Burnett Jr. dies after sufrering injuires in an October game

(This story has been updated with new information.)

Update on Alabama A&M football player Medrick Burnett Jr.

The originalversion of this story has since been retracted by the university’s athletic department. The school sent out a second statement that the initial news of Burnett’s death was inaccurate.

“Our staff acted accordingly to the wishes of the family member to inform the A&M community and beyond of this unfortunate occurrence,” Wednesday evening’s statement said. “Upon hearing from a representative from UAB Hospital this afternoon, we learned that he remains alive.

“We express our immediate regret for disseminating false information. However, we hold complete joy in knowing that Medrick remains in stable condition.”

Alabama A&M linebacker Medrick Burnett Jr.’s injuries happened in a game against Alabama State on October 26.

This 6-foot-8, 250-pound quarterback is taking the internet by storm

Jamar Graham’s status has certainly skyrocketed.

Cam Newton-sized quarterbacks are typically compared to linebackers. What’s a defense to do when the QB they’re chasing is bigger and stronger than the biggest and strongest of them?

This latest quarterback to take the internet by storm is even bigger. Forget the linebacker. What does a defender do when a quarterback is built more like a lineman?

Jamar Graham, the reportedly 6-foot-8, 250-pound Tucker High School (Ga.) quarterback committed to Alabama A&M, is yet another example of the South knowing how to build up their boys. Perhaps the tallest QB in the nation, his sheer size is the foundation of the formidable nature of his play.

Watch him bowl over a defender in the third clip on this Instagram post:

 

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Defenders are likely trying to force him to throw, as Graham posted 1,503 passing yards with a completion percentage of just 50.3% as a senior. He had 15 touchdown passes and six interceptions.

On the ground, he rushed 46 times for 103 yards and four more touchdowns.

He has received multiple awards and recognitions, according to his Alabama A&M bio. He was a First-Team All-Region and All-County player as a sophomore, First-Team All-Region as a junior, and then Region Player of the Year as a senior. A star on the basketball court as well, he picked up First-Team All-Region recognition as a senior, per the bio.

It’s worth noting that his university bio lists him at 6-foot-6, though his account page on social media platform X does say 6-foot-8. Both list him at 250 pounds.

Social media posts over the month of April have racked up tens of thousands of likes as people rediscover this soon-to-be collegiate athlete.

It’s exhilarating to think of what he will look like at the next level. Win or lose, it’s something the nation has rarely if ever seen.

Tony Vitello recaps Vols’ run-rule win against Alabama A&M

Tennessee head coach Tony Vitello recaps Tennessee’s run-rule win against Alabama A&M.

No. 4 Tennessee (26-6, 7-5 SEC) defeated Alabama A&M (5-25, 3-9 SWAC), 20-2 in seven innings, on Tuesday at Lindsey Nelson Stadium. Rankings reflect the USA TODAY Sports baseball coaches poll.

Tennessee improved to 9-0 in midweek games this season, including five run-rule wins. The Vols have outscored opponents, 101-19, in midweek games.

Sophomore JJ Garcia (1-0) earned his first career win for the Vols on Tuesday. He pitched one inning in relief and recorded two strikeouts against three Alabama A&M batters.

PHOTOS: Tony Vitello through the years

Following Tennessee’s run-rule win against Alabama A&M on Tuesday, seventh-year head coach Tony Vitello met with media. Vitello’s postgame media availability can be watched below.

No. 4 Tennessee run-rules Alabama A&M

No. 4 Tennessee baseball run-rules Alabama A&M at Lindsey Nelson Stadium.

No. 4 Tennessee (26-6, 7-5 SEC) defeated Alabama A&M (5-25, 3-9 SWAC), 20-2 in seven innings, on Tuesday at Lindsey Nelson Stadium. Rankings reflect the USA TODAY Sports baseball coaches poll.

Dylan Loy started for Tennessee and pitched one inning. He recorded two strikeouts and totaled 18 pitches (13 strikes).

Sophomore JJ Garcia (1-0) earned his first career win. He pitched one inning in relief and recorded two strikeouts against three batters.

Tennessee totaled 12 hits in the contest against Alabama A&M, including home runs by Colby Backus and Camden Bates.

The Vols will next host LSU for a three-game Southeastern Conference series, Friday-Sunday, at Lindsey Nelson Stadium.

PHOTOS: Tony Vitello through the years

How to watch Tennessee-Alabama A&M baseball game

How to watch the Tennessee-Alabama A&M baseball game on Tuesday.

No. 4 Tennessee (26-6, 7-5 SEC) will host Alabama A&M (5-25, 3-9 SWAC) on Tuesday at Lindsey Nelson Stadium. Rankings reflect the USA TODAY Sports baseball coaches poll.

First pitch between the Vols and Bulldogs is slated for 6 p.m. EDT and can be watched on SEC Network+. Myan Patel (play-by-play) and Caylan Arnold (analyst) will be on the call.

Tennessee leads the all time series against Alabama A&M, 4-0. The Vols won the last meeting, 23-1 in seven innings, on Feb. 22, 2023. Tennessee outscored the Bulldogs, 33-1, in two contests last season.

In the first meeting, the Vols defeated Alabama A&M, 9-1 in eight innings, on March 15, 2011.

READ: 2024 SEC baseball power rankings after Week 8

Photo by Dan Harralson, Vols Wire

Charlie Taylor recaps two-home run performance

Tennessee catcher Charlie Taylor recaps two-home run performance versus Alabama A&M.

No. 2 Tennessee (3-2) defeated Alabama A&M (3-2), 23-1, Wednesday at Lindsey Nelson Stadium.

The Vols swept Alabama A&M in a two-game series. Tennessee defeated the Bulldogs, 10-0, Tuesday.

Redshirt sophomore catcher Charlie Taylor went 4-for-5, recording two home runs, one triple, five RBIs and four runs against Alabama A&M in the series finale Wednesday.

His two home runs are Taylor’s first while at Tennessee.

In 2022, Taylor recorded a .056 batting average, two hits, one double, zero triples, zero home runs, three RBIs, six runs, eight walks, five hit by pitches and 15 strikeouts in 36 at-bats.

PHOTOS: Charlie Taylor starts at catcher for Tennessee in NCAA Knoxville regional

Following Tennessee’s victory against Alabama A&M, Taylor met with media and discussed his two-home run performance. Taylor’s media availability can be watched below.

Tony Vitello recaps Vols’ series sweep versus Alabama A&M

Tony Vitello recaps the Vols’ series sweep versus Alabama A&M.

No. 2 Tennessee (3-2) defeated Alabama A&M (3-2), 23-1, Wednesday at Lindsey Nelson Stadium.

The Vols swept Alabama A&M in a two-game series. Tennessee defeated the Bulldogs, 10-0, Tuesday at Lindsey Nelson Stadium.

Vols’ catcher Charlie Taylor went 4-for-5 with two home runs, one triple, three runs and five RBIs against the Bulldogs on Wednesday.

Zander Sehrist pitched two innings, recording one strikeout against six batters. Sechrist earned his first win of the season Wednesday.

PHOTOS: Tennessee baseball’s 2023 home-opener

Tennessee’s 2023 baseball schedule

Following the Vols’ series sweep versus Alabama A&M on Wednesday, sixth-year head coach Tony Vitello recapped Tennessee’s win. Vitello’s media availability can be watched below.

Vols defeat Alabama A&M to complete two-game sweep

Tennessee defeats Alabama A&M to complete a two-game sweep.

No. 2 Tennessee (3-2) defeated Alabama A&M (3-2), 23-1, in seven innings Wednesday at Lindsey Nelson Stadium.

Vols’ catcher Charlie Taylor went 4-for-5 with two home runs, one triple, three runs and five RBIs against the Bulldogs.

Tennessee won its third consecutive game and swept the two-game series against Alabama A&M.

PHOTOS: Tennessee baseball’s 2023 home-opener

The Vols led, 1-0, in the first inning on an RBI single by Zane Denton. Tennessee scored two more runs in the second inning as Griffin Merritt came home on a balk and Dylan Dreiling had an RBI single.

Tennessee scored three runs in the third inning on a pair of Alabama A&M errors.

Austen Jaslove had an RBI groundout.

The Vols scored 15 runs in the fifth inning as Taylor hit a three-run home run and a scoring single. Ethan Payne hit a two-run double and Logan Chambers had an RBI double in the inning.

Taylor had a solo home run in the sixth inning and Kavares Tears had an RBI with a sacrifice fly.

The Vols finished the game with 17 hits, including four doubles, two triples and two home runs. Tennessee also took advantage of six Bulldogs’ errors that resulted in five unearned runs. The Vols drew 12 walks in the contest.

Game No. 2: Tennessee-Alabama A&M postgame social media buzz

Game No. 2: A look at Tennessee-Alabama A&M baseball postgame social media buzz

No. 2 Tennessee (3-2) defeated Alabama A&M (3-2), 23-1, Wednesday at Lindsey Nelson Stadium.

The Vols swept Alabama A&M in a two-game series. Tennessee defeated the Bulldogs, 10-0, Tuesday at Lindsey Nelson Stadium.

PHOTOS: Tennessee baseball’s 2023 home-opener

Tennessee will next host Dayton, Friday-Sunday, at Lindsey Nelson Stadium.

First pitch for Friday’s game is slated for 4:30 p.m. EST, while game No. 2 is scheduled for 2 p.m. EST. Sunday’s series finale is slated for 1 p.m. EST. All games between Tennessee and Dayton can be watched on SEC Network+.

Following Tennessee’s win versus Alabama A&M on Wednesday, Vols Wire looks at postgame social media buzz. Tennessee-Alabama A&M postgame social media buzz is listed below.

Tennessee-Alabama A&M home-opener postgame social media buzz

A look at Tennessee-Alabama A&M baseball home-opener postgame social media buzz.

No. 2 Tennessee (2-2) defeated Alabama A&M (3-1), 10-0, Tuesday at Lindsey Nelson Stadium.

Pitcher Hollis Fanning started for the Vols against Alabama A&M. Fanning pitched two innings, recording two strikeouts, while allowing one hit and one walk against seven batters.

Blake Burke, Jared Dickey and Ryan Miller hit home runs for the Vols.

Pitcher Jake Fitzgibbons earned the win for Tennessee. He pitched two innings, recording four strikeouts, while allowing two walks and zero hits against eight batters.

Tony Vitello recaps Vols’ win versus Alabama A&M

PHOTOS: Tennessee baseball’s 2023 home-opener

Following Tennessee’s win versus Alabama A&M on Tuesday, Vols Wire looks at postgame social media buzz. Postgame social media buzz is listed below.