Tennessee
NCAA responds to judge's decision to grant preliminary injunction in NIL lawsuit
The NCAA loses in court AGAIN as federal judge suspends NIL rules
Hours after a judge in Tennessee granted a preliminary injunction in a landmark NIL case, the NCAA has responded. Friday’s ruling means NIL collectives can now communicate with high school players and transfer portal players.
The attorneys general from Tennessee and Virginia filed the suit in light of an NCAA investigation into Tennessee for alleged recruiting violations. Under the current guidelines, collectives cannot discuss NIL until recruits sign with a program, and Friday’s ruling means the NCAA cannot enforce those rules until there’s either a settlement or the case goes to trial.
In its statement, the NCAA again called on Congress for help finding a solution and said the decision will lead to more chaos.
“Turning upside down rules overwhelmingly supported by member schools will aggravate an already chaotic collegiate environment, further diminishing protections for student-athletes from exploitation,” the statement read. “The NCAA fully supports student-athletes making money from their name, image and likeness and is making changes to deliver more benefits to student-athletes but an endless patchwork of state laws and court opinions make clear partnering with Congress is necessary to provide stability for the future of all college athletes.”
Friday’s decision, made by judge Clifton L. Corker, came after a preliminary injunction hearing that lasted more than an hour.
“Without the give and take of a free market, student-athletes simply have no knowledge of their true NIL value,” Corker wrote in his decision. “It is this suppression of negotiating leverage and the consequential lack of knowledge that harms student-athletes.”
Part of the investigation into Tennessee involves the recruitment of Nico Iamaleava. The New York Times reported an NIL collective allegedly paid for Iamaleava to come to campus on a private jet. According to NCAA rules, NIL collectives cannot be involved in the recruiting process.
Public officials have also gotten involved. The Tennessee and Virginia attorneys general filed a suit in the Eastern District of Tennessee challenging the NCAA’s NIL rules regarding recruiting. A judge denied the temporary restraining order, but set a preliminary injunction hearing for Feb. 13.
A key reason for the denial, according to the judge, was that while the athletes are not able to obtain their true NIL value, the harm is monetary damages and not irreparable.
Officials on Capitol Hill also took a step against the NCAA. Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) and Cory Booker (D-N.J.) re-introduced the NCAA Accountability Act in light of the investigation into Tennessee.
Tennessee isn’t the only program to face an investigation into alleged NIL violations. Florida State received multiple punishments last month, including a three-game suspension for Alex Atkins. Florida is also dealing with an inquiry into the recruitment of Jaden Rashada.
Pete Nakos contributed to this report.
Tennessee
Vols Make Splash Hire With Jim Knowles | VFL Kevin Burnett Talks Tennessee Football | The RTI Low Down | Rocky Top Insider

On this week’s episode of The RTI Low Down, Bob Baskerville and Chris Low are diving into a huge week for the Tennessee Football program.
The guys start the show by discussing the Vols’ big move to fire Tim Banks and the splash hire in acquiring defensive coordinator Jim Knowles.
Bob and Chris are then joined by VFL and SEC Legend Kevin Burnett to talk about his time on Rocky Top, his thoughts on playing under defensive coordinators, Josh Heupel’s current team, and more.
The guys close down the show by breaking down Tennessee’s 2026 schedule, Vol Hoops’ tough test on the hardwood this week, and much more. Download and subscribe TODAY!
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The RTI Low-Down is brought to you by the Tate Insurance Group. Find out more information at www.tateinsurancegroup.com
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More from RTI: Tennessee Football 2025 Transfer Tracker – Who has Announced They’re Entering the Portal So Far
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YouTube –
0:00 Intro
8:30 Tennessee Fires Tim Banks, Hires Jim Knowles
21:25 VFL Kevin Burnett Talks Vol Football!
43:20 UT 2026 Schedule
50:17 Tennessee Basketball Faces Huge Test on Tuesday
1:01:06 Close
Tennessee
Remembering one of Middle Tennessee’s largest tornado outbreaks 4 years later
Tennessee
Tracking Music City Bowl opt outs for Tennessee and Illinois
Tracking the opt outs for both Tennessee and Illinois before the Music City Bowl on December 30 (5:30 p.m. Eastern Time, ESPN) at Nissan Stadium in Nashville:
Tennessee
Linebacker Arion Carter: Carter over the last seasons had 96 tackles, 13.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks in 31 career games. He had a team-high 76 tackles this season, with 6.0 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks while appearing in 10 games. He missed two games and was limited against Oklahoma in November while dealing with turf toe injuries. Carter had 68 tackles and 6.5 tackles for loss in 13 games last season and 17 tackles and 1.0 tackles for loss in eight games as a freshman in 2023.
Wide Receiver Chris Brazzell II: He a breakout senior season in his second year with the Vols, catching 62 passes for 1,017 yards and nine touchdowns. He had 19 catches for 333 yards and two touchdowns in 2024, after transferring from Tulane. In 15 games at Tulane he caught 45 passes for 722 yards and five touchdowns. Brazzell is ranked No. 7 at wide receiver on Mel Kiper Jr.’s NFL Draft Big Board. He’s ranked No. 34 overall on ESPN’s list of the best available prospects in the draft.
Cornerback Jermod McCoy: Did not play this season after tearing his ACL during offseason training in January. He was a star last season with 44 tackles, nine passes defended and four interceptions. He had 31 tackles and two interceptions in 12 games as a freshman at Oregon State before transferring to Tennessee.
Illinois
Offensive Tackle J.C. Davis: Bret Bielema said the Illinois starting left tackle is opting out of the Music City Bowl. He was an All-Big Ten First Team pick by the league coaches this season and the No. 3 left tackle this season according to Pro Football Focus grades. He had made 49 straight starts before opting out of the bowl game.
EDGE Gabe Jacas: The Illinois outside linebacker declared for the NFL Draft on Friday night. He led the Big Ten this season with 11.0 sacks. He had 13.5 tackles for loss and 43 total tackles in 12 games this season. He finishes second in Illinois program history for career sacks, with 27.0, trailing only Simeon Rice. Jacas had 74 tackles, 8.0 sacks and 13.0 tackles for loss last season, after combining for 8.0 sacks and 9.0 tackles for loss in his first two seasons at Illinois.
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