Tag: Football

2026 five-star tight end includes Tennessee in top six schools

2026 five-star tight end includes Tennessee in his top six schools.

2026 tight end prospect Kendre Harrison announced his top six schools.

Harrison’s top six schools are Tennessee, Florida State, Oregon, Miami, North Carolina and Penn State.

Harrison will announce his commitment on Nov. 30, according to Hayes Fawcett of On3.

The 6-foot-7, 243-pound five-star tight end prospect is from Reidsville High School in Reidsville, North Carolina.

He ranks No. 9 nationally in the 247Sports Composite for the class of 2026. Harrison also ranks as the No. 1 tight end and No. 2 prospect in North Carolina.

The Vols offered him a scholarship on Jan. 27, 2023.

Tennessee has six commitments in its 2026 recruiting class: Quarterback Faizon Brandon, tight end Carson Sneed, offensive lineman Brandon Anderson, defensive lineman Tyson Bacon, wide receiver Tyreek King and linebacker Braylon Outlaw.

2024 SEC rushing yard leaders after Week 12

A look at SEC rushing yard leaders after Week 12 in 2024.

Week 12 of the 2024 college football season has concluded.

Tennessee (8-2, 5-2 SEC) will next host UTEP (2-8, 2-5 C-USA) at Neyland Stadium in Week 13 after losing at Georgia, 31-17. Kickoff between the Vols and Miners is slated for 1 p.m. EST (SEC Network +).

Following Week 12 games, Vols Wire looks at statistical leaders in the Southeastern Conference. Tennessee running back Dylan Sampson ranks first in the SEC for rushing yards.

Below are the top five rushing yards leaders in the SEC entering Week 13.

  1. Dylan Sampson, Tennessee (1,230)
  2. Jarquez Hunter, Auburn (1,015)
  3. Le’Veon Moss, Texas A&M (765)
  4. Raheim Sanders, South Carolina (749)
  5. Nate Noel, Missouri (684)

2024 SEC football power rankings after Week 12 can be viewed here.

Dylan Sampson. Photo by Dan Harralson, Vols Wire

Josh Heupel kicks off UTEP game week

Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel discusses the Vols playing UTEP for the Salute to Service game.

No. 11 Tennessee (8-2, 5-2 SEC) will play its final regular-season home game on Saturday in Week 13. Rankings reflect the US LBM Coaches Poll.

The Vols will host UTEP (2-8, 2-5 C-USA) at Neyland Stadium. Kickoff between the Vols and Miners is slated for 1 p.m. EST and can be watched on SEC Network+.

Fourth-year head coach Josh Heupel kicked off game week on Monday.

“This week is our Salute to Service game honoring all the men and women that are serving and have served,” Heupel said. “It will be great to honor them and the sacrifices that they make, their families make. We appreciate everything that they do. It’s also senior day. You look at this group of seniors, so many guys that when I first got here, chose to stay here and have been cornerstones in building this program. A lot of guys that have played a lot of great football for us. Great leaders, but great individuals too, so it will be a special day to recognize them.

“Moving on, we’ve got UTEP this week. Opportunity for us to grow as a football team, continue to get better and the next step forward for us.”

Photo by Dan Harralson, Vols Wire

Steelers HC Mike Tomlin updates Alex Highsmith availability for TNF vs Browns

With the Pittsburgh Steelers on a short week, facing the Cleveland Browns on Thursday Night Football, Alex Highsmith isn’t likely to play.

The Pittsburgh Steelers lost a significant part of their defense in Week 10 in linebacker Alex Highsmith. While the unit held its own — and then some — without him in win over Ravens, his absence is felt.

With the Steelers on a short week and facing the Cleveland Browns on Thursday Night Football, Mike Tomlin deemed Highsmith “more out than in.”

Highsmith suffered an ankle injury during Pittsburgh’s win over the Washington Commanders. He returned in Week 7 after dealing with a groin injury.

The injury appeared far worse than it turned out to be, so the defense can be thankful for that.

Should Highsmith not be available this week, he could suit up for the Steelers’ third-consecutive divisional matchup in Week 13 at the Cincinnati Bengals.

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2024 SEC receiving yard leaders after Week 12

A look at SEC receiving yard leaders after Week 12.

The 2024 college football season enters Week 13.

Tennessee (8-2, 5-2 SEC) lost to Georgia (8-2, 5-2 SEC), 31-17, in Week 12 at Sanford Stadium. The Vols will next host UTEP (2-8, 2-5 CUSA) on Saturday in Week 13.

Tennessee totaled 167 passing yards in its Week 12 loss against the Bulldogs. Tight end Miles Kitselman recorded four receptions for 46 yards for the Vols. Tennessee wide receiver Squirrel White also recorded six receptions for 45 yards.

Below are the top five receiving yard leaders in the Southeastern Conference entering Week 13.

  1. Tre Harris, Ole Miss (987)
  2. Andrew Armstrong, Arkansas (931)
  3. Ryan Williams, Alabama (767)
  4. KeAndre Lambert-Smith, Auburn (761)
  5. Kevin Coleman Jr., Mississippi State (756)

Tennessee wide receiver Dont’e Thornton Jr. ranks No. 18 in the SEC for receiving yards (505) entering Week 13.

2024 SEC football power rankings after Week 12 can be viewed here.

Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

2024 SEC passing yard leaders after Week 12

A look at SEC passing yard leaders after Week 12.

Week 12 of the 2024 college football season has concluded for Southeastern Conference teams.

Tennessee (8-2, 5-2 SEC) lost to Georgia (8-2, 6-2 SEC) in Week 12. The Vols will next host UTEP (2-8, 2-5 C-USA) in Week 13 at Neyland Stadium. Kick is slated for 1 p.m. EST (SEC Network+).

Following Week 12 games, Vols Wire looks at statistical leaders in the Southeastern Conference. Below are the top 10 passing yard leaders in the SEC.

  • Jaxson Dart, Ole Miss (3,409)
  • Garrett Nussmeier, LSU (3,126)
  • Carson Beck, Georgia (2,835)
  • Taylen Green, Arkansas (2,363)
  • Jalen Milroe, Alabama (2,232)
  • Payton Thorne, Auburn (2,111)
  • Nico Iamaleava, Tennessee (2,046)
  • Quinn Ewers, Texas (1,898)
  • Diego Pavia, Vanderbilt (1,843)
  • Brady Cook, Missouri (1,812)

PHOTOS: Tennessee starting quarterbacks through the years

Photo by Dan Harralson, Vols Wire

Defeat rival playoff contender Ravens with zero touchdowns? Yes, the Steelers did.

The Pittsburgh Steelers proved not all wins are pretty, reverting to their pre-Russell Wilson approach of stout defense and clutch kicker.

One thing is for sure in the NFL: Not all wins are pretty. The Pittsburgh Steelers were proof of that this afternoon, reverting to their pre-Russell Wilson approach of a stout defense and a clutch kicker.

For the second time this season, the Steelers managed a zero-touchdown win thanks to 18 points off six field goals. Pittsburgh previously took this same path to victory under a Justin Fields-led offense versus the Atlanta Falcons in Week 1.

It’s a testament to Chris Boswell‘s talents and to the defense’s overall quality—especially against a two-headed, top-ranked Ravens offense of Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry.

Heading into Week 11, Jackson was the NFL’s second-most yardage thrower. The defense held him to 207 yards, Jackson’s first sub-200-yard game since Week 4 versus the Buffalo Bills.

Likewise, Henry was the league’s top running back with 1,185 rushing yards. His 65-yard outing was the fewest since Week 1 at the Kansas City Chiefs.

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Steelers QB Justin Fields (literally) falls short of playing hero in Ravens win

Justin Fields provided a spark the struggling Pittsburgh Steelers offense needed, despite sliding short of the first-down marker.

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields took the field for the first time since Russell Wilson regained his starting position ahead of Week 7. Known for his dual-threat ability, Fields provided a spark in critical moments for an offense that sometimes struggled to find rhythm.

With the final minute of the clock ticking down, Fields faked a hand-off to Najee Harris and took off upfield with one goal: Get a first down to end the game.

Unfortunately, Fields slid too early, ahead of the first-down marker and fell one yard short of playing hero in Pittsburgh’s win over Baltimore. On the ensuing play, Harris managed a play up the middle for the critical yard to seal the win.

What matters is that the Steelers won despite an anemic outing from the offense. The win keeps them in the AFC North lead and highlights what we already knew—Fields’ presence can provide a spark. Pittsburgh could have unlocked a new dimension of its offense just in time for the playoff push.

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Steelers survive Ravens despite anemic offensive performance

The Pittsburgh Steelers failed to score a touchdown, relying solely on kicker Chris Boswell to outscore the Baltimore Ravens.

Despite a lackluster offensive showing, the Pittsburgh Steelers narrowly defeated the Baltimore Ravens 18-16. The Steelers failed to score a touchdown, relying solely on kicker Chris Boswell, who delivered six field goals, including a decisive 50-yarder late in the fourth quarter.

Quarterback Russell Wilson completed 23 of 36 passes for 205 yards but never seemed on his game. Wilson couldn’t find the end zone except to throw a critical interception, stalling a promising drive. The Steelers’ ground game was equally ineffective, with running back Najee Harris managing only 32 yards on seven carries — his least productive game since Week 4 at Indianapolis.

Pittsburgh’s offense struggled on third downs, converting just one of nine attempts in the first half, and failed to capitalize on red zone opportunities, going 0-for-4.

The defense compensated for the offensive shortcomings by forcing three turnovers, including a pivotal fourth-quarter interception by rookie linebacker Payton Wilson.

The Steelers’ defensive resilience and Boswell’s clutch performance proved crucial in securing the win.

The victory allowed Pittsburgh to maintain its lead in the AFC North, but the offensive inefficiencies highlighted the need for significant improvements to sustain success for a tough seven-game stretch to close out the season.

Still, the Steelers extend their win streak to five games after defeating two legit playoff contenders in the Ravens and Washington Commanders.

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