Tag: Knoxville Catholic

Catholic names former Vol as youth middle school head coach

Former Tennessee defensive lineman named youth middle school head coach at Catholic.

Catholic High School announced former Vol defensive lineman Darel Middleton will serve as its youth middle school head coach in Knoxville, Tennessee.

“We are excited to announce Darel Middleton as our youth middle school head coach,” Catholic announced. “Coach Middleton is a former all state player in high school who played college ball at the University of Tennessee. Welcome to our Irish family.”

Middleton played for the Vols from 2019-20 under head coach Jeremy Pruitt. He appeared in 22 games, recording 43 tackles. 3.5 tackles for a loss, two sacks, two pass deflections, one forced fumble and one block.

Middleton transferred to Tennessee from East Mississippi Community College.

Darel Middleton. Photo by Dan Harralson, Vols Wire

Former Vol named wide receivers coach at Catholic

Former Vol hired at Catholic in Knoxville as wide receivers coach.

Former Tennessee wide receiver Josh Smith was named an assistant coach at Catholic High School in Knoxville, Tennessee on Tuesday.

Smith will coach wide receivers for the Fighting Irish under head coach Philip Shadowens.

He played for the Vols from 2013-17 under head coach Butch Jones. Smith appeared in 45 games for Tennessee. He appeared in 45 games, totaling 63 receptions for 764 yards and five touchdowns.

Following his collegiate career, Smith signed with New Orleans in the NFL.

At Catholic, Smith will be reunited with his former high school head coach Rusty Bradley.

Bradley, the son of former Tennessee assistant coach Mark Bradley, was recently named offensive coordinator for the Fighting Irish.

Bradley coached Smith at Christian Academy of Knoxville. Together the duo won two consecutive TSSAA Class 3A state championships from 2011-12.

Josh Smith. Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports

Knoxville wide receiver commits to Vols

2026 wide receiver from Knoxville commits to Tennessee football.

2026 four-star wide receiver prospect Tyreek King committed to Tennessee football on Thursday.

“We staying home,” King announced.

He committed to the Vols over Alabama, LSU, Missouri, Michigan Louisville, Ole Miss and Texas A&M.

The 5-foot-10.5, 168-pound wide receiver prospect is from Catholic High School in Knoxville, Tennessee.

King ranks as the No. 183 overall prospect in the class of 2026. He also ranks as the No. 31 wide receiver prospect and No. 6 player in Tennessee, according to 247Sports.

Tennessee has five commitments in its 2026 recruiting class: Quarterback Faizon Brandon, tight end Carson Sneed, offensive lineman Brandon Anderson, defensive lineman Tyson Bacon and King.

Knoxville wide receiver includes Vols in top eight schools

2026 wide receiver from Knoxville includes Tennessee in top eight schools.

2026 four-star wide receiver prospect Tyreek King named Tennessee as a top eight school in his recruitment.

King’s top eight schools are Tennessee, Alabama, LSU, Missouri, Michigan Louisville, Ole Miss and Texas A&M, according to Sam Spiegelman of Rivals.

The 5-foot-10.5, 168-pound wide receiver prospect is from Catholic High School in Knoxville, Tennessee.

King ranks as the No. 183 overall prospect in the class of 2026. He also ranks as the No. 31 wide receiver prospect and No. 6 player in Tennessee, according to 247Sports.

King unofficially visited Tennessee for the Kent State game on Sept. 14. The Vols offered him a scholarship on March 23, 2023.

Tennessee has two commitments in its 2026 recruiting class: Quarterback Faizon Brandon and tight end Carson Sneed.

Angelina Alcantar/USA TODAY Network

Jake Dawson hired as Knoxville Catholic’s defensive coordinator

Former Tennessee assistant Jake Dawson named defensive coordinator at Knoxville Catholic.

Catholic High School in Knoxville has hired Jake Dawson as co-defensive coordinator.

Dawson is expected to call plays.

He joins head coach Philip Shadowens’ staff at Catholic. Shadowens was the Fighting Irish’s co-interim head coach in 2023. He was promoted to a permanent head coach on Dec. 19, 2023.

Dawson served as a defensive undergraduate assistant for the Vols from 2019-20. He was co-defensive coordinator and secondary coach at Heritage High School in Maryville, Tennessee from 2022-23.

Prior to joining Joe Osovet’s staff at Heritage, Dawson served as safeties coach in 2021 at Powell High School in Powell, Tennessee.

PHOTOS: A look at Tennessee’s defensive coordinators through the years

Former Vol quarterback hired as Catholic’s offensive coordinator

Former Vol quarterback hired as Catholic’s offensive coordinator.

Former Vol Steve Matthews is returning to Catholic High School in Knoxville, Tennessee.

The former Tennessee and NFL quarterback was named offensive coordinator for the Fighting Irish.

Matthews served as Catholic’s head coach from 2013-2021. He guided the Fighting Irish to two state championships (2015, 2017) before resigning as head coach in April 2021.

Matthews compiled a 74-27 record during his tenure as Catholic’s head coach.

He is a native of Tullahoma, Tennessee, and played for the Vols from 1990-91 before transferring to Memphis where he set school passing records.

He was a seventh-round pick in the 1994 NFL draft, selected by Kansas City. Matthews also played for Jacksonville and Tennessee.

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Vols’ signee Trevor Duncan earns all-state honors

Vols’ signee Trevor Duncan earns all-state honors.

Tennessee signee Trevor Duncan has been named to the Tennessee Sports Writers Association’s Division II Class AAA All-State team.

The 6-foot-5, 277-pound offensive and defensive lineman is from Catholic High School in Knoxville, Tennessee.

Duncan recorded 24 tackles, one tackle for a loss, one sack and one forced fumble in 2022.

He recorded 61 tackles, nine tackles for a loss and three sacks in 2021, earning All-Region honors.

Duncan appeared in the 2022 Rivalry Showcase all-star game, featuring Knoxville versus East Tennessee.

Duncan signed with the Vols during the early signing period Dec. 21.

He will play as a defensive lineman at Tennessee.

2022 early signing period: Tennessee’s signees

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Trevor Duncan discusses committing to Tennessee, playing on defensive line

Tennessee commit Trevor Duncan discusses committing to the Vols and playing on the defensive line.

Trevor Duncan committed to Tennessee April 15.

Duncan discussed his Tennessee commitment at the Knoxville Football Officials Association media day Friday.

“I’m glad the recruiting process is over for me,” Duncan told Vols Wire. “Now, I can get ready for my senior season. I’m really excited.

“I’m looking forward to the season and I really think we can win state.”

The 6-foot-5, 277-pound prospect is from Knoxville Catholic High School in Knoxville, Tennessee.

Duncan plays offense and defense for Catholic. He was recruited as a defensive lineman by the Vols.

“I’ve played on both the offensive and defensive lines,” Duncan said. “I don’t expect to play much on offense this year, but I’ll do it if my team needs me. I’ll do whatever my team needs.”

Duncan received Power Five offers from Kentucky, Purdue, Vanderbilt, Virginia Tech and West Virginia.

He detailed why he committed to Tennessee.

“The reason I committed is because I grew up here and I always wanted to play at Neyland Stadium,” Duncan said. “I dreamed of being a Vol and I dreamed of wearing the orange and white.

“I really liked the new staff. I liked coach (Josh) Heupel and I really liked coach (Rodney) Garner.”

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Vols’ commit Daniel Parris advances to state tournament

Vols’ baseball commit Daniel Parris advances to state tournament.

A Tennessee baseball commitment helped his high school team clinch a berth in the Division II-AA state tournament.

Knoxville Catholic High School (Knoxville, Tennessee) junior infielder and pitcher Daniel Parris helped the Irish sweep a double header against Briarcrest Christian School (Eads, Tennessee) in the State VIII round of the playoffs.

The Irish (25-12) avoided elimination twice after losing the first game of a best-of-three series.

Knoxville Catholic defeated the the Saints, 5-2, in game No. 1.

Parris pitched a complete game in seven innings. He yielded two runs (one earned), two hits and two walks, while striking out seven.

In game No. 2, he drove in one run and scored another as the Irish defeated Briarcrest, 12-10.

Knoxville Catholic will open play at the Spring Fling in Murfreesboro, Tennessee next week.

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Vols’ signee advances to Tennessee state championship game

A Vols’ basketball signee advances to the Tennessee state championship game.

Tennessee signee BJ Edwards led Knoxville Catholic High School to a 63-55 victory against Brentwood Academy in the TSSAA Division II-AA basketball semifinals Thursday.

He played with an injured foot. Edwards recorded 23 points, 13 rebounds, five assists, three steals and three blocks.

Edwards is a Mr. Basketball finalist and senior point guard.

Knoxville Catholic (28-3) will play Christian Brothers School (27-0) in the state championship game Saturday. Tipoff is slated for 2:30 p.m. EST at Tennessee Tech.

Knoxville Catholic junior guard and Tennessee target Blue Cain scored 16 points.

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