Cedric Tillman
FILE — Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel talks on his headset during an NCAA college football game against Georgia, Nov. 13, 2021, in Knoxville, Tenn. Tennessee is scheduled to face Purdue in the Music City Bowl in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday. (AP Photo/Wade Payne, File)
Vols look to make statement vs Purdue in Music City Bowl

By Teresa M. Walker Dec. 29, 2021 02:23 PM EST

Vanderbilt running back Rocko Griffin (24) dives into the end zone ahead of Tennessee defensive back Jaylen McCollough (22) during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
Tennessee hands rival Vanderbilt season-ending loss, 45-21

By Al Lesar Nov. 27, 2021 07:17 PM EST

Vanderbilt quarterback Ken Seals (8) throws to a receiver during warmups before an NCAA college football game against Tennessee Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
Vanderbilt at Tennessee 11/27/2021

Nov. 27, 2021 03:19 PM EST

South Alabama tight end Lincoln Sefcik (88) runs into the end zone for a touchdown in front of Tennessee defensive back Alontae Taylor (2) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
Hooker leads Tennessee's rout of South Alabama 60-14

By Al Lesar Nov. 20, 2021 11:17 PM EST

South Alabama quarterback Desmond Trotter (1) turns to hand the ball during warmups before an NCAA college football game against Tennessee Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
South Alabama at Tennessee 11/20/2021

Nov. 20, 2021 07:27 PM EST

Tennessee wide receiver Velus Jones Jr. (1) scores a touchdown ahead of Georgia defensive back Latavious Brini (36) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
Bennett, No. 1 Georgia remain perfect, rout Tennessee 41-17

By Teresa M. Walker Nov. 13, 2021 07:46 PM EST

Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel watches the video board during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Kentucky in Lexington, Ky., Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021. (AP Photo/Michael Clubb)
No. 1 Georgia braces for challenge against Tennessee offense

By Al Lesar Nov. 11, 2021 11:48 AM EST

Tennessee wide receiver Velus Jones Jr. (1) catches a 72-yard touchdown pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Kentucky in Lexington, Ky., Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021. (AP Photo/Michael Clubb)
Hooker's 4 TDs help Tennessee top No. 18 Kentucky 45-42

By Gary B. Graves Nov. 06, 2021 11:15 PM EDT

Alabama quarterback Bryce Young (9) runs for a touchdown past Tennessee defensive lineman Ja'Quain Blakely (48) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Young, Robinson power No. 4 Alabama past Tennessee 52-24

By John Zenor Oct. 23, 2021 10:49 PM EDT

Alabama head coach Nick Saban, left, tours the field before an NCAA college football game against Tennessee, Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Tennessee at Alabama 10/23/2021

Oct. 23, 2021 05:21 PM EDT

Mississippi quarterback Matt Corral (2) looks to a receiver during the first half of the team's NCAA college football game against Tennessee on Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
Tennessee Tech at Tennessee State 10/16/2021

Oct. 16, 2021 08:59 PM EDT

Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel watches his players warmup before an NCAA college football game against South Carolina Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
South Carolina at Tennessee 10/9/2021

Oct. 09, 2021 11:53 AM EDT

Missouri running back Tyler Badie, right, is tackled by Tennessee defensive back Theo Jackson during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021, in Columbia, Mo. (AP Photo/L.G. Patterson)
Tennessee makes quick work of Missouri in 62-24 rout

By Joe Walljasper Oct. 02, 2021 03:54 PM EDT

Tennessee quarterback Joe Milton III (7) celebrates a touchdown against Bowling Green with wide receiver JaVonta Payton (3) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Thursday, Sept. 2, 2021, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
Heupel's debut ends in Tennessee's 38-6 win

By Al Lesar Sep. 03, 2021 12:05 AM EDT

Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel walks past fans during the Vol Walk before an NCAA college football game against Bowling Green, Thursday, Sept. 2, 2021, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
Bowling Green at Tennessee 9/2/2021

Sep. 02, 2021 06:23 PM EDT

Tennessee quarterback Joe Milton throws during an NCAA college football practice Aug. 20, 2021, in Knoxville, Tenn. Tennessee coach Josh Heupel has named Milton, a transfer from Michigan, as his starting quarterback for the Volunteers' season opener Thursday night. (Brianna Paciorka/News Sentinel via AP)
Heupel names Michigan transfer Joe Milton Vols' starting QB

By Al Lesar Aug. 30, 2021 02:22 PM EDT

FILE — In this Jan. 27, 2021, file photo, Tennessee's new football coach, Josh Heupel, speaks during an introductory news conference in Knoxville, Tenn. The new operating speed for the Tennessee Volunteers is fast. Not as speedy as Heupel wants once the season starts, but pretty quick for April. Offensive linemen like Heupel's new offense because they're snapping the ball and lining back up again so fast they can see defensive linemen wearing down during drives. (Caitie McLekin/Knoxville News Sentinel via AP, Pool)
Heupel, coaches spend spring speeding up Tennessee Vols

By Teresa M. Walker Apr. 24, 2021 02:34 AM EDT

Tennessee linebacker Henry To'o To'o (11) tackles Texas A&M running back Isaiah Spiller (28) during an NCAA college football game in Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn., Saturday, Dec. 19, 2020. (Brianna Paciorka/Knoxville News Sentinel via AP, Pool)
No. 5 Texas A&M makes last CFP case in 34-13 win over Vols

Al Lesar Dec. 19, 2020 03:25 PM EST

FILE - In this Sept. 14, 2019, file photo, Tennessee head coach Jeremy Pruitt yells to his players during an NCAA college football game against Chattanooga in Knoxville, Tenn. Pruitt said he canceled Friday's practice for No. 25 Tennessee due to a "few more positive" test results and Saturday night's practice also could be canceled depending on the results after everyone in the program was tested Friday morning. (AP Photo/Wade Payne, File)
Freshmen receivers get chance with Tennessee this season

By Teresa M. Walker Aug. 31, 2020 01:10 PM EDT

Members of the Pride of the Southland band perform as they wear the University of Tennessee superfan shirt after designing his own UT shirt and wearing it to his school before an NCAA college football game against Chattanooga Saturday, Sept. 14, 2019, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
Vols finally get 1st win with 45-0 blowout of Chattanooga

By Steve Megargee Sep. 14, 2019 03:20 PM EDT