Tag: Amari McNeill

Amari McNeill, LaJohntay Wester earn weekly Big 12 awards

Two Colorado players were honored with weekly Big 12 awards

Following stellar performances in Colorado football’s Week 12 win over Utah, defensive tackle Amari McNeill and wide receiver/punt returner LaJohntay Wester each earned a weekly Big 12 award.

McNeill was named the Big 12 Co-Defensive Player of the Week alongside Arizona defensive back Genesis Smith and West Virginia linebacker Reid Carrico. A former Tennessee Volunteers transfer, McNeill finished with three total tackles, one TFL, one sack and a forced fumble in the Buffs’ eighth win.

After recording a 76-yard punt return touchdown on Saturday, Wester earned the Big 12 Special Teams Player of the Week. The Florida Atlantic transfer also snagged a season-high 10 catches for 77 yards.

Wester’s brother, Colorado linebacker Jaylen Wester, also created a big special teams play when he partially blocked a Utah punt in the first quarter.

For McNeill, his showing at Texas Tech in Week 11 was arguably even more impressive. There, he recorded season-highs in total tackles (nine), TFLs (three) and sacks (1.5).

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What Deion Sanders, Colorado players are saying heading into Friday’s Washington State game

Here’s what Coach Prime and Co. are saying heading into Friday’s Washington State game

Despite a current four-game losing streak, this Colorado football team hasn’t lost much of its early-season confidence. Head coach Deion Sanders is seeing progress and with the amount of talent that the Buffs own, there are reasons to like Colorado’s chances at beating a struggling Washington State team on Friday.

After starting the season 4-0 with wins over Wisconsin and Oregon State, the Cougars are losers of six straight heading into their home finale.

Coach Prime, safety Cam’Ron Silmon-Craig, defensive lineman Amari McNeill, edge rusher Jordan Domineck and defensive ends coach Nick Williams all spoke to the media this week ahead of Friday’s game. Here’s what they had to say:

Tennessee transfer DL Amari McNeill commits to Colorado

Former Tennessee DL Amari McNeill is coming to Colorado

All of the talk the past few days has been about the Colorado Buffaloes’ mass exodus of players via the transfer portal. However, they are also bringing in players left and right, including a pair of Florida State additions on Wednesday.

On Thursday, the Buffs gained a commitment from Tennessee defensive lineman Amari McNeill, per Hayes Fawcett of On3.

Yes, the Buffs have lost a large number of players during the spring portal window, but they are bringing in top-end talent quickly, and McNeill is another massive get for the defense.

McNeill played one year at Rocky Top, totaling three tackles in a very limited role for a loaded Tennessee team.

McNeill has three years of eligibility remaining, so this is a terrific long-term piece for Deion Sanders and the Buffs.

McNeill posted a video on his Twitter profile as well, and he should immediately enter as a projected key part of the Buffs’ defense.

After redshirting at Tennessee, he decided to come to Boulder and join a loaded, talented Buffs roster with Coach Prime in the spotlight. Who is coming next? Only time will tell.

Contact/Follow us @BuffaloesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Colorado news, notes and opinions.

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Former Vol commits to Deion Sanders, Colorado

Former Vol defensive lineman commits to Deion Sanders and Colorado.

Former Tennessee defensive lineman Amari McNeill has committed to Colorado, according to Hayes Fawcett of On3.

McNeill entered the NCAA transfer portal on April 21.

The 6-foot-4, 285-pound McNeill played for the Vols from 2021-22. He appeared in seven games, totaling three tackles and one pass deflection.

He came to Tennessee from Peachtree Ridge High School in Suwanee, Georgia.

Deion Sanders was hired as Colorado’s head coach in Dec. 2022.

Sanders, a two-time Super Bowl champion and Pro and College Football Hall of Famer, served as Jackson State’s head coach from 2020-22. He compiled a 27-6 record, while winning the SWAC championship in 2021 and 2022.

Sanders served as offensive coordinator during the early part of the 2020 high school season at Trinity Christian in Cedar Hill, Texas.

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Tennessee defensive lineman enters NCAA transfer portal

A Tennessee defensive lineman entered NCAA transfer portal Friday.

Tennessee defensive lineman Amari McNeill announced his entry into the NCAA transfer portal on Friday, according to Matt Zenitz of On3.

McNeill has three years of eligibility remaining.

The 6-foot-4, 285-pound defensive lineman signed with Tennessee from Peachtree Ridge High School in Suwanee, Georgia.

McNeill played in seven games during two seasons for the Vols. He redshirted in 2021 after playing limited snaps against South Alabama. McNeill appeared in six games last season, recording three tackles and one pass breakup.

He signed with Tennessee as a three-star prospect and was ranked the No. 784 overall prospect in the class of 2021. McNeill was the No. 69 offensive tackle and No. 72 player in Georgia, according to the 247Sports composite.

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Kaidon Salter, Amari McNeill facing misdemeanor drug charges

Two University of Tennessee student-athletes are facing misdemeanor drug charges.

Two University of Tennessee student-athletes are facing misdemeanor drug charges.

Charges stem from a traffic stop Saturday morning, according to University of Tennessee Police Department reports.

Kaidon Salter and Amari McNeill were involved in the incident and are facing simple possession charges after marijuana was found in a vehicle around 3 a.m. EDT Saturday on Cumberland Avenue in Knoxville.

Salter was driving the vehicle and was stopped for having no taillights and a tinted cover over the vehicle’s license plate, UTPD reports show.

McNeill was a passenger in the vehicle.

Salter, an early enrollee freshman quarterback, did not participate in spring practices.

In March, Salter was involved in an incident at Stokely Hall and charged with simple possession and unlawful drug paraphernalia.

A program official told Vols Wire on June 1 that Salter was back participating in team activities.

McNeill signed with the Vols during the early signing period on Dec. 16.

The 6-foot-4, 280-pound lineman is from Peachtree Ridge High School in Suwanee, Georgia.

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3-star offensive lineman signs with Tennessee

Tennessee Vols’ football recruiting news.

The early signing period has kicked off and goes through Dec. 18.

Tennessee secured its first signee of the early signing period Wednesday morning.

3-star offensive lineman Amari McNeill signed with the Vols. The 6-foot-4, 280-pound offensive lineman is from Peachtree Ridge High School in Suwanee, Georgia.

McNeill committed to the Vols on Dec. 7  and was offered by Tennessee Nov. 19.

He had Power Five offers from Tennessee, Minnesota and Washington State.

The early signing period takes place Dec. 16-18 for the 2021 recruiting class. National signing day is Feb. 3.

University of Tennessee’s early signing period tracker

University of Tennessee’s 2021 commitment tracker

University of Tennessee’s 2022 commitment tracker

Fab Four: Selecting Tennessee football’s Mount Rushmore of all-time recruits

Amari McNeill commits to Tennessee

2021 Tennessee football recruiting news.

The University of Tennessee received a commitment for its 2021 recruiting class Monday.

Offensive lineman Amari McNeill announced his commitment to the Vols on Twitter.

“I would like to say that I am 100 percent committed to the University of Tennessee,” McNeill said on Twitter.

The 6-foot-4, 280-pound offensive lineman is from Peachtree Tree High School in Suwanee, Georgia.

McNeill was offered by the Vols Nov. 19.

He has Power Five offers from Tennessee, Minnesota and Washington State.

The early signing period takes place Dec. 16-18 for the 2021 recruiting class. National signing day is Feb. 3.

University of Tennessee’s 2021 commitment tracker

University of Tennessee’s 2022 commitment tracker

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Tennessee offers 2021 offensive lineman

The Vols are back in Georgia, looking to add to offensive line depth for the future.

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Tennessee is placing a focus on the offensive line for its 2021 recruiting class.

The Vols have offered 2021 offensive tackle prospect Amari McNeill from Suwanee, Georgia.

McNeill announced his offer on Twitter. He holds offers from Memphis, East Carolina, Florida International, Coastal Carolina and others. Tennessee is the only Power Five offer for McNeill.

 

A 6-foot-4, 280-pound offensive lineman at Peachtree Ridge High School, McNeill is rated a 3-star prospect by the 247Sports Composite and the 103rd offensive tackle in his class.

Tennessee defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach Derrick Ansley is listed as McNeill’s primary recruiter.

University of Tennessee Volunteers’ 2021 football commitment tracker

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