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2026 offensive lineman includes Tennessee in top 12 schools

2026 offensive line prospect includes Tennessee in top 12 schools.

2026 four-star interior offensive lineman prospect Grant Wise announced his top 12 schools.

Wise’s top 12 schools are Tennessee, Clemson, Miami, Oregon, Penn State, Georgia Tech, Michigan, Florida, Texas A&M, Oklahoma, Alabama and Ohio State.

The 6-foot-3, 310-pound interior offensive lineman is from Pace High School in Pace, Florida.

He ranks No. 220 nationally in the 247Sports Composite for the class of 2026. Wise also ranks as the No. 13 interior offensive lineman and No. 34 prospect in Florida.

The Vols offered him a scholarship on April 8. Wise unofficially visited Tennessee on Oct. 19.

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 wide receiver Tyreek King.

Cooper Mays, Dylan Sampson receive multiple All-America honors

Cooper Mays and Dylan Sampson named All-America by multiple outlets.

Two Tennessee football players received All-America honors from multiple outlets on Friday.

Center Cooper Mays and running back Dylan Sampson were both named Second-Team All-America by The Athletic.

Mays also received second-team honors from the American Football Coaches Association, while Sampson received second-team honors from the Walter Camp Football Foundation.

Mays is the fourth center in Tennessee program history to be named an All-American, and the first since Bob Johnson since 1967. Sampson is the 11th running back in Tennessee history to be named an All-American. He is the first to be recognized since Travis Stephens in 2001.

During Josh Heupel’s tenure as head coach, Tennessee has produced six All-Americans, the most in a in a four-year span since 2006-09. Heupel was named head coach in 2021.

Mays has been the Vols’ starting center for four consecutive seasons. He played 816 snaps according to PFF this season and did not allow a sack or a quarterback hit during the 2024 regular-season.

Sampson was named SEC Offensive Player of the Year by both the league’s coaches and the Associated Press this season.

Sampson led the SEC in rushing yards (1,485), rushing attempts (256), yards per game (123.8) and rushing touchdowns (22). His 22 rushing touchdowns represent a single-season record for the Vols.

2026 wide receiver includes Tennessee in top six schools

2026 wide receiver prospect includes Tennessee in top six schools.

2026 wide receiver prospect Daniel Odom announced his top six schools.

Odom’s top six schools are Tennessee, Oregon, Oklahoma, Texas, Washington and Miami.

The 6-foot-1, 178-pound four-star wide receiver prospect is from St. John Bosco High School in Bellflower, California.

He ranks No. 192 nationally in the 247Sports Composite for the class of 2026. Odom also ranks as the No. 33 wide receiver and No. 24 prospect in California.

The Vols offered him a scholarship on Dec. 14, 2023.

Dalton Knecht plays 19 minutes in loss at Minnesota

Former Vol Dalton Knecht’s results in the Lakers’ loss at Minnesota.

Minnesota defeated Los Angeles, 97-87, Friday at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Former Tennessee basketball player Dalton Knecht totaled six points, nine rebounds and one assist in 19 minutes for the Lakers.

He converted 2-of-5 field goal attempts and 2-of-4 free throw attempts.

The former Vol was selected in the first-round of the 2024 NBA draft (No. 17 overall) by Los Angeles.

Knecht was a transfer from Northern Colorado and played for the Vols during the 2023-24 season under coach Rick Barnes. During his one season at Tennessee, Knecht averaged 21.7 points, 4.9 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game.

He led the Vols to a SEC regular-season championship and an appearance in the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament for the second time in school history.

Knecht was the 2024 SEC Player and SEC Newcomer of the Year. He was a consensus All-America standout and earned the Julius Erving Award.

Ohio State announces tailgating, game day timeline against Tennessee

Ohio State announces a game day timeline for tailgating and when Ohio Stadium gates open for the College Football Playoff matchup versus Tennessee.

First-round College Football Playoff games will be contested Dec. 20-21.

No. 8 seed Ohio State (10-2, 7-2 Big Ten) will host No. 9 seed Tennessee (10-2, 6-2 SEC) on Dec. 21. Kickoff between the Vols and Buckeyes is slated for 8 p.m. EST at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio (ABC).

The contest will be the first for Tennessee playing in Ohio. Ohio Stadium will also host its first Buckeyes’ football game in December all time.

Ahead of the first-round matchup, Ohio State announced a game day timeline.

Tailgating and parking lots will open at 5 a.m. EST.

Ohio State’s team shop will open at 4 p.m. EST. Fan fest and ticket offices will open at 5 p.m. EST, while Ohio Stadium gates are scheduled to open at 6 p.m. EST.

READ: Ohio State president Ted Carter gives expectation for amount of Vol fans in Columbus

Vols earn SEC All-Freshman honors for 2024 regular-season

Tennessee student-athletes earn SEC All-Freshman honors for 2024 regular-season.

Four Tennessee football players were named to the SEC All-Freshman Team by the league’s head coaches.

Boo Carter, Ethan Davis, Jordan Ross and Jalen Smith received SEC All-Freshman honors for their play during the 2024 regular-season.

Carter was recognized as a defensive back and kick return specialist. He appeared in 12 games, making five starts. Carter totaled 35 tackles, three tackles for a loss, three quarterback hurries and one interception.

He is the first Tennessee freshman recognized as a return specialist since Shawn Summers in 1992.

Davis, a redshirt freshman tight end, appeared in 11 games, recording 13 receptions, 100 yards and one touchdown.

Ross, a defensive lineman, appeared in 10 games. He totaled three tackles, 1.5 tackles for a loss, one blocked punt and one touchdown.

Smith appeared in 12 games as a linebacker. He recorded 34 tackles and one tackle for a loss in 2024. Smith announced his intention to enter the NCAA transfer portal following the regular-season.

Ethan Davis. Photo by Dan Harralson, Vols Wire

Fourth Tennessee wide receiver to enter transfer portal

A fourth Tennessee wide receiver intends to enter the transfer portal following the regular-season.

Tennessee (10-2, 6-2 SEC) concluded its regular-season on Nov. 30. The Vols will return to action on Dec. 21 in the College Football Playoff at Ohio State (10-2, 7-2 Big Ten).

Ahead of the first-round College Football Playoff game, a fourth Tennessee wide receiver will enter the NCAA transfer portal.

“Tennessee wide receiver Nate Spillman plans to enter the transfer portal, he tells On3 Sports,” Hayes Fawcett announced.

The 6-foot-2, 200-pound redshirt freshman wide receiver appeared in four games for the Vols in 2024 (Chattanooga, North Carolina State, Kent State, UTEP). He did not record any statistics.

Tennessee wide receivers Kaleb Webb, Chas Nimrod and Nathan Leacock also intend to enter the NCAA transfer portal following the regular-season.

READ: Ohio State president Ted Carter gives expectation for amount of Tennessee fans traveling to Columbus for CFP game

Nate Spillman. Photo by Dan Harralson, Vols Wire

Tennessee announces 2025 baseball schedule

Tennessee announces schedule for the 2025 baseball season.

Tennessee announced its 2025 baseball schedule on Thursday. The Vols enter the 2025 season after winning the national championship, the SEC Tournament and the SEC regular-season title in 2024.

2025 will be the eighth season for the Vols under head coach Tony Vitello.

Tennessee will open its upcoming campaign on Feb. 14, 2025 versus Hofstra at Lindsey Nelson Stadium.

The Vols will also host UNC Asheville, Samford, North Alabama, Radford, Xavier, St. Bonaventure, West Georgia, East Tennessee State, Queens, Tennessee Tech, Bellarmine, Lipscomb, Northern Kentucky, Indiana State and Belmont in nonconference play at Lindsey Nelson Stadium.

Tennessee will compete in the 25th annual Astros Foundation College Classic at Minute Maid Park in Houston, Texas.

Tennessee, Texas A&M, Arizona, Mississippi State, Oklahoma State and Rice will make up the field. The Astros Foundation College Classic will be contested Feb. 28-March 2, 2025.

The Vols will play Oklahoma State on Feb. 28, while facing Rice on March 1 and Arizona on March 2.

Tennessee’s entire 2025 baseball schedule, including SEC games, can be viewed here.

PHOTOS: Tony Vitello through the years

Ohio State president Ted Carter gives expectation for amount of Vol fans in Columbus

Ohio State president Ted Carter discusses his expectation for the amount of Tennessee fans to attend the Tennessee-Ohio State game.

No. 9 seed Tennessee (10-2, 6-2 SEC) will play at No. 8 seed Ohio State (10-2, 7-2 Big Ten) on Dec. 21 in the first-round of the College Football Playoff.

Kickoff between the Vols and Buckeyes is scheduled for 8 p.m. EST at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio. The contest will be televised by ABC.

Ahead of the game, University of Tennessee president Randy Boyd mentioned Ohio State is expecting 30 percent of Ohio Stadium to be filled with Vol fans.

“Great to run into Ohio State president Ted Carter at the New Era Forum held at Deloitte University,” Boyd said. “He thinks the stadium may be 30% orange – way to go Vol fans! First game ever played at Ohio Stadium in the month of December, and likely the first below freezing game the Vols have played in decades! Going to be a great game!”

PHOTOS: Tennessee-Ohio State football series through the years

Randy Boyd. Angelina Alcantar/USA TODAY Network

Third Tennessee wide receiver to enter transfer portal following regular-season

A third Tennessee wide receiver to enter NCAA transfer portal following the 2024 regular-season.

A third Tennessee wide receiver will enter the NCAA transfer portal following the regular-season.

Redshirt freshman Nathan Leacock intends to enter the NCAA transfer portal. He will have three years of eligibility remaining.

“Tennessee wide receiver Nathan Leacock plans to enter the transfer portal, he tells On3 Sports,” Hayes Fawcett announced.

The 6-foot-3, 217-pound wide receiver appeared in five games for the Vols in 2024. He totaled one reception for 15 yards. He played in six games at Tennessee from 2023-24. Leacock did not record statistics in the only game he played in against UConn during the 2023 season.

Tennessee wide receivers Kaleb Webb and Chas Nimrod also entered the NCAA transfer portal following the regular-season.

READ: Final 2024 SEC football regular-season power rankings