Tag: University of Tennessee

Broncos select pass rusher in new 2025 NFL mock draft

Draft Wire’s recent 2025 NFL mock draft has the Broncos selecting pass rusher James Pearce.

The Denver Broncos sit at 5-5 through the first 10 weeks of the 2024 NFL season, and they’re in the thick of the AFC playoff hunt. As a result, in Draft Wire’s newest mock draft, the Broncos are projected to pick 19th overall.

According to author Curt Popejoy, the Broncos are going to bolster their top-5 defense with another pass-rusher in the form of Tennessee EDGE James Pearce.

Pearce (6-5, 243 pounds) is a massive body Denver could use to stop the likes of AFC heavyweights Derrick Henry in the rush game and be a formidable foe for quarterbacks Patrick Mahomes, Justin Herbert, Joe Burrow and Lamar Jackson off the edge.

In 2023, as a sophomore, Pearce led the SEC with 10 sacks. In 2024, Pearce found himself on several preseason collegiate watch lists, and is a semi-finalist for several individual awards.

Pearce would be a huge addition to an already-stout Broncos defense that is in the top three in quarterback pressures, blitz rates, sacks and yards-per-dropback in 2024. The unit has proved to be one of the best in the NFL, but Denver could look to add more depth and competition next spring.

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2024 NFL Draft Scouting Report: RB Jabari Small, Tennessee

Jabari Small is an all-around back looking to join a committee backfield

Jabari Small was a four-year player for the Volunteers who took over as the primary running back as a sophomore. He shared the backfield with Jaylen Wright in 2022 and then took a step backward in 2023 when Wright became the primary rusher and Small mixed in with Dylan Sampson.

The Volunteers finished No. 6 in the final AP poll in 2022 with an 11-2 record, while Hendon Hooker was the starting quarterback. Hooker left last year and the Vols offense wasn’t as productive. Small was also banged up last year while Tennessee went to more of a committee backfield. Small also opted out of the Citrus Bowl to prepare for the NFL draft.

Height: 5-11
Weight: 213 pounds
40 time: 4.58 seconds

While Jaylen Wright attended the NFL combine, Small was not invited. Wright ended with the second fastest 40-time of 4.38, while Small unofficially runs around a 4.6 40-time. Not participating at the combine isn’t a plus for the 22 year old, but he will still be a consideration for teams looking to bulk up their backfield depth.

Jabari Small stats (2020-23) 

Year School Games Runs Yards Avg. TD Catch Yards TD
2020 Tennessee 10 26 117 4.5 0 4 24 0
2021 Tennessee 11 140 792 5.7 9 9 77 0
2022 Tennessee 13 157 734 4.7 13 12 106 0
2023 Tennessee 11 95 475 5.0 2 7 40 0
Syndication: The Knoxville News-Sentinel

Pros

  • Elusive runner with above-average start-stop ability
  • Strong short-yardage rusher with compact frame
  • Strong blocker keeps him on the field
  • Effective inside runner who runs low and falls forward for the extra yard
  • Reasonable good hands when used as a receiver
  • While not elite in any area, he is good at everything
  • Good vision, follows the block and knows where to find daylight

Cons

  • Minimal experience as a receiver
  • Lack of top-end speed limits the chance of a big play, can get caught from behind
  • Not particularly explosive which limits him on outside runs
  • Projects as a lesser part of a committee backfield

Fantasy outlook

Jabari Small is expected to be drafted despite the NFL combine snub. But he’ll end up as a Day 3 pick and likely no better than Round 6. His teammate Jaylen Wright will be selected earlier thanks to his speed. Small can find a valuable role on an NFL team as backfield depth and his ability to block makes him more attractive.

Small’s NFL career depends on where he lands and what the situation is there. He’d need a set of fortunate backfield developments to occur before he’d be expected to offer more than occasional use. He is an all-around back and while he’s not likely to ever take over a game and make a major difference, he has something to offer to any NFL team.

Ravens QB coach Tee Martin shares thoughts on taking over new role

Ravens quarterbacks coach Tee Martin discussed taking over a new role

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The Baltimore Ravens first hired Tee Martin to be their wide receivers coach before the 2021 season.  As a former quarterback, not being able to work with the quarterbacks must’ve been odd for Martin, but not unnatural as he was the wide receivers coach for multiple college programs before he was hired by the Ravens.

The Ravens made a lot of changes to their coaching staff during the 2023 offseason, one of which was re-assigning Martin’s role. He is now the quarterbacks coach of the team, and he was asked what the switch has been like and what type of impact he wants to have on the room.

“First of all, it’s just great being back at my natural position. [It’s] a position I grew up playing throughout my career. I started [in coaching] coaching quarterbacks, so it’s like riding a bike. [I’m] just getting back on it, and the game has changed. You’re coaching a quarterback [Lamar Jackson] who’s different than a lot of different other quarterbacks. [It’s] very similar to how I played, but way better. The drills have been enhanced. The things that we’re doing with coach [offensive coordinator Todd] Monken’s system is a little different than what we have done here in the past, and so we just adjust. Everything was built around Lamar [Jackson]. I went back and [changed] a lot of the things I had done with players I had worked with in the past at the quarterback position. He’s so different and so unique that I just went back and revamped all the drills towards Lamar [Jackson]’s movement skills and things that we can do to improve him and continue what he has already built since he’s been here as a rookie – since his rookie year – to getting him to the next level, to the player he wants to be. That’s what it’s all about, improving his already great skill set.”

Notable University of Tennessee alumni

Notable alumni throughout history of the University of Tennessee.

The University of Tennessee in Knoxville, Tennessee was founded in 1794.

Throughout its history, notable individuals have earned degrees at the University of Tennessee.

UT Values

  • Traditions: We believe in Tennessee. We cherish the university’s rich and vibrant history and enhance its reputation.
  • Collaboration: We build relationships and strong partnerships to advance the university.
  • Integrity: We maintain the highest level of accountability through honest and transparent interactions.
  • Inclusion: We value diversity and welcome alternative perspectives in all we do.
  • Innovation: We continuously improve, create, and boldly strive for excellence in our work.

Vols Wire looks at notable alumni and attendees throughout the history of the University of Tennessee. Information pertaining to alumni and attendees are from Volopedia, University of Tennessee Digital Encyclopedia, and UTK Alumni.

Chargers WR Josh Palmer’s first NFL touchdown among few positives in loss to Patriots

Chargers WR Josh Palmer made the most of his limited action.

The Patriots defense stifled Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert on Sunday.

Heading into the final drive, Herbert completed just 12 of 26 passes for 143 yards while being down 10 points.

After taking its foot off the gas, New England allowed Herbert to scamper up the field on Los Angeles’ final offensive drive.

With 40 seconds left in the game, Herbert found rookie wide receiver Josh Palmer in the end zone. Over two defenders, Palmer showed the body control, toughness, and hands to high-point and come down with the ball.

The touchdown grab was the first of Palmer’s professional career.

“Hell of a catch. Hell of a catch,” wide receiver Keenan Allen said. “That’s the type [of] stuff we need. Especially late like that, we need a play, somebody’s gonna make one, Josh came up and made a play.

It’s big time … A ball like that, a catch like that, that’s a momentum shift. You make a catch like that; you automatically think we’re gonna get the onside kick. It was good stuff.”

Selected by the Bolts in the third round out of Tennessee, Palmer has flashed in spurts when he has been on the field. On 11 targets, he has caught seven of them for 82 yards (11.7 yards per reception).

In need of an offensive spark after stalling the past two games, Palmer could possibly see his target volume increase moving forward.

Chargers WR Josh Palmer reveals who he models his game after

Chargers wide receiver Josh Palmer’s skillset is pro-ready.

Everybody in the NFL has somebody they model their games after.

For Chargers rookie wide receiver Josh Palmer, he patterns his game after Falcons’ Julio Jones and Buccaneers’ Antonio Brown.

Having not played a single regular season game yet, Palmer is nowhere near the two from a talent standpoint. But you can see some similarities that could eventually put Palmer in position to produce as much as they have.

While Palmer’s physical profile is more comparable to Jones, all three have good initial releases off the line of scrimmage to get into their routes in a hurry, explosive and crafty ways of consistently getting open.

Palmer’s pro-ready skillset and size have been on display all summer, as the former Tennessee product has raised eyebrows with his ability to separate and catch everything on a regular basis.

“He’s polished,” Keenan Allen said of Palmer. “You can tell he’s polished and knows what to do. He obviously knows releases, he knows leverage. He just knows how to run routes already.”

Entering camp, the battle for the third wide receiver between Palmer, Tyron Johnson and Jalen Guyton was anyone’s game, but the rookie gradually stood above the pack.

Even though offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi constantly rotates his receivers in based on the defense’s package they’re in, it will be hard to keep Palmer off the field.

With his ability to win at all levels of the field and make things happen with the football in his hands, Palmer should quickly become one of Justin Herbert’s go-to targets.

Watch: Peyton Manning crashes online University of Tennessee course

Peyton Manning crashed an online course at the University of Tennessee Thursday.

Peyton Manning always knows how to keep it interesting. The great quarterback won’t be joining the Monday Night Football booth for the 2020 season. However, he did drop in on an online course — Communications 499 class — for the University of Tennessee on Thursday.

Per ESPN.com:

John Haas, one of Manning’s favorite professors when the star quarterback was in school, was in on the surprise. “Vols help Vols,” said Haas, who set up Manning’s appearance perfectly.

A few minutes into the class, there’s a ding, and Haas says, “Mr. Thompson, I think you’re late for class.” Manning, wearing a visor with the Vols’ trademark Power T, pops up on screen with the other students via Zoom video conferencing and says, “I’m sorry Dr. Haas. It’s been a while. It’s been at least since 1996 or 7 since I’ve been in a class.”

Haas, trying to keep a straight face, quips, “If you were here, I’d be making you run the stadium steps for being late,” drawing a hearty chuckle from the two-time Super Bowl champion quarterback.

Check it out:

“Just wanted to drop in and say hello to all the fellow communications students there, and I realize this is a unique time,” said Manning, who was a Volunteer in Knoxville from 1994-98. “It’s probably not the ideal way you expected to spend your senior year, but I encourage you to keep a positive attitude, keep working like you are doing.”

Manning had his No. 16 jersey retired by Tennessee in 2005. He passed for 11,201 yards and 89 touchdowns during his college career. He returns to campus every summer to recognize his Peyton Manning Scholars, an endowment he created in 1998 that provides a four-year scholarship to incoming students at the University of Tennessee.

In 2018, Manning also honored Haas by donating $1 million to UT to establish the John Haas Student Experimental Learning Endowment. Haas is a longtime director and associate professor in the College of Communication and Information’s School of Communications Studies.

Ramon Foster career retrospective

A look back on the career of the Pittsburgh Steelers guard.

Guard Ramon Foster announced his retirement Monday after an 11-year career all spent with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He had one year left on his contract and was likely to become a salary cap casualty.

“When the time comes, you just know and now is a time for me to take a bow,” Foster posted on Instagram. “I’ve had a long, fun, and life changing career. Who would have ever thought an undrafted kid out of the University of Tennessee would make it in the NFL for 11 years. I’ve made some friends for a lifetime, had some moments that I’ll never forget and seen some things I never thought I would because of this game.”

Signing with the Steelers in 2009 as an undrafted rookie free agent, Foster moved into the starting lineup in his third season. He started at right guard in the 2011 Super Bowl versus the Green Bay Packers.

Foster, 34, had been a mainstay on the offensive line and was the second longest-tenured player behind only Ben Roethlisberger.

A product of the University of Tennessee, Foster started 145 of the 160 games he played in, both of which rank as second-most in team history at the position.

As the Steelers’ NFLPA representative, his last duty was voting on the newly-approved CBA.

View this post on Instagram

When the time comes, you just know and now is a time for me to take a bow. I’ve had a long, fun and life changing career. Who would have ever thought an undrafted kid out of the University of Tennessee would make it in the NFL for 11 years. I’ve made some friends for a lifetime, had some moments that I’ll never forget and seen some things I never thought I would because of this game. I’d like to first thank my wife for supporting me through this experience and I know for sure you are my number 1 fan. My sons, who were raised in this league from birth so far, they went from being the youngest in the locker room to the oldest. To the Steelers organization, thank you to Coach Tomlin, Mr. Rooney, Ambassador Rooney, and Kevin Colbert for making Pittsburgh feel like a family. All the coaches who I’ve had the opportunity to run into or be coached by in the organization, thank you. To the staff, secretaries, cooks, janitors, John Norwig and his training staff for caring the way you guys have, Coach Giemont and Marcell for always being who you guys are, I love it. My trainer James Wilson, thanks for getting me ready every year even though I hated you everyday lol. Father Paul, thanks for always being a friend and support since the time I met you at St. Vincent in Latrobe, PA. The guys who I’ve played with over the years, I love you guys like brothers but of course Pouncey, Ben, Al, Dave and Gil(I know he’s not there but he’s an OG) we all grew up together and I’ve enjoyed every minute of that. From being one of the “worst” OLs in the league to having one of the best OLs in all of sports while helping lead one of the best offenses in the NFL. To the fans thank you for being the best fan bases in the world, the passion comes out in all kind of ways. I could go on and on and will thank a lot of you personally. I’m glad to say, a Steeler for life, no other organization I would have rather played for and I hope my time was just as enjoyable as yours. Young guys, enjoy what you can get from this league, don’t just play the game, learn the game, learn the business and be better than when you came into this league. A time will come when we all write up a farewell 2 this chapter

A post shared by Ramon Foster (@theramonfoster) on