Tennessee
Tennessee gets its ‘heart and soul’ back with Zakai Zeigler on the floor
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) – Nearly a year ago, Tennessee’s Zakai Zeigler’s season would come to a screeching halt. The sophomore point guard injured his ACL in the opening minutes of the Vols’ February game against Arkansas.
Previous Coverage: Zakai Zeigler tore ACL during Arkansas game, Tennessee Athletics says
Head Coach Rick Barnes described Zeigler’s challenge of being away from the game, “He cares a lot. He desperately wants to play. It’s killing him.”
Zeigler shortly thereafter began his road to recovery.
“Once they told me I can start the process, Coach G and Chad, they put so much time and effort into me. And they had to push me because I was a little nervous,” said Zeigler.
As he rehabbed the injury, the guard and coaching staff did what they could to keep his skills sharp.
“Once I was able to just stand up on my own, me, Coach G, and Coach Barnes actually were here with me too. And they just helped me to work on shooting like I used to. It felt a little bit weird to shoot like that because I was shooting from the basket for so long. But since that, honestly feel like I’m able to shoot the ball quicker from farther and shoot the ball even better than I ever have,” said Zeigler.
As the start of the 2023-24 season approached, Zeigler became more restless, waiting for the green light for his return.
“He would tell you he’s 100%, even if he were 75%, and he would play his heart out,” said Barnes.
But the team stayed extremely cautious, waiting for the right time to clear the New York native.
“We were probably in this facility six or seven hours a day just trying to do something as simple as lifting my leg. But it was baby steps, and I had to take the small wins as big wins,” said Zeigler.
In their exhibition game against Lenoi-Rhyne, the guard took on a different role.
“We got ready to start and [Zeigler] came up to me and I said, ‘Here, sit down. Sit with me tonight’,” said Barnes. “Let’s talk, we’ll talk through the game. I said to him, ‘Right now, do you think Jahmai knows he can advance the ball?’ He said, ‘I don’t know.’ I said ‘I’m saying he thinks those guys aren’t open. Are they open?’ He says they’re open. So, we call a timeout. And I said to Jahmai, ‘Why don’t you advance the ball?’ He said those guys weren’t open. I said, ‘Z were they open?’ He said they’re open.”
It was a game that allowed Zeigler to see the game from a whole new perspective, one he’d use to tear through defenses.
“It was definitely something that I worked on, for sure. That came from just watching film and just watching the game from the sidelines. Because there’s a lot of stuff you don’t see on the court versus off the court and watching a lot of film, I feel like it opened the flow for me a lot,” said Zeigler.
So, how does the now-junior compare his play today to this time last year?
“I feel like last year I was on a pretty good roll. I had things going, me and the guys were connecting. But this year, I feel like I’m doing kind of the same thing but just a little bit better pace and understanding,” said Zeigler.
Zeigler returned to the Summitt Floor for his first regular season game against Tennessee Tech. He’d register just 12 minutes of play, but his limited minutes on the court had a far greater impact.
“Josiah[-Jordan James] said ‘Coach, we have to give the guy the game ball because he said he’s the heart and soul team.’ And he is,” said Barnes.
As he worked back to full strength, it was the small wins that gave him the most joy.
“Yeah, so much joy. It gives me joy that I could give joy to other people. My teammates are happy to see me out there, all of Vol Nation is happy to see me out there, my family,” said Zeigler.
Once Zeigler knocked off the dust, he put together his best season on Rocky Top. Against the Aggies, the 5-foot-9 guard put up career-highs in assists and rebounds.
“It’s just invaluable of what he does. What can you say about a guy on the court getting nine rebounds like that but yet is distributing the ball the way he did,” said Barnes.
His intangibles, the difference-makers in games gives him an uncanny ability to anchor defenders, and when that happens, he always exposes the weak side.
“Yeah, well, just knowing that guys guard [Dalton Knecht], and all DK needs is that much space to get a shot off. So if I can get him that much space and get the defenders to commit to me a little bit and just give him the ball right in his pocket, I know it’s going up and I know it’s going in,” said Zeigler.
Beyond the magic he creates on offense, his defense is even better. It has an impact that’s earned him the SEC Defensive Player of the Year.
“He’s a pesky defender, and he’s great and energizes his team,” said Associate Head Coach Justin Gainey.
“We’ve been a top-five defense the last three years, and he’s had a lot to do with it. You know, his initial point of defense really sets the tone for our guys in this program,” said Gainey.
The SEC Player of the Year is more than confident in his point guard, “He is the best point guard in the nation. So him just going out there and playing his game every single night and helps us just to get open and play our games.”
The production Zeigler has given this team in his junior campaign is something they’ll rely on during the SEC Men’s Basketball Tournament.
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One of the nation’s fast-rising 7v7 events made it back to the Atlanta area as The Sevens 7v7 tournament was held at Peachtree Ridge High School over the weekend.
Many of the top organizations across the country registered and entered the tournament such as Hustle INC, C1N, NPA, 24K Cold Hearts, and Fast Houston.
The amount of star power each brand displayed with many of the top athletes from all of the country was insane to fathom.
One of the nation’s coveted 2028 cornerbacks was in attendance as Jermaine Cobbins and NPA showed up on a mission.
NPA earned the number 1 seed during pool play on the first day of the event. The team fell just short of the championship game, but the players went down swinging.
Vols on SI caught up with Cobbins to discuss any recruiting updates, and to shed light on an off-field story that deserves some attention.
Jermaine Cobbins Update
“The recruitment is going great,” Cobbins said.
“You know, a lot of teams are showing love,” Cobbins continued. Alabama, Vanderbilt, and Texas A&M were a few schools mentioned to be showing a lot of love to the Tennessee native.
Cobbins has plans to get on the road once dead period is over.
March 2- Auburn
March 6- USC (potentially)
March 13- Alabama
March 17- Georgia
March 19- Tennessee
March 21- Vanderbilt
As Cobbins is wrapping up his sophomore year and on his way to becoming a junior, the pace will pick up as schools will come on stronger as some will fall back. The talented defender has to check boxes of his on while spending time with each school.
“The main thing I’ll be looking for is probably how much love are they going to be showing, their background (track record), and how the coaches coach,” Cobbins explained.
With a visit to Rocky Top in a few weeks looming, this will be the first time Cobbins has made it to Tennessee since the staff changes on the defense.
Cobbins had a relationship with Coach Michael Hunter Jr., who joined the Volunteers staff for a very short time before taking an opportunity in the NFL.
“Me and the corners coach had a great relationship, he came (to UT) but he left out for the NFL, so kudos to him. Love that for him. I’ve met Coach Poindexter. He’s a great coach,” Cobbins said.
The coaching staff at Tennessee stands out to the Springfield (TN) student-athlete as, “they coach at a high level.” Cobbins would go on to describe how the Vols pulling in great talent truly has an impact because you get to practice against some talented players day in and day out.
Cobbins Gives Back
Cobbins recently had the opportunity to give back to the next generation, and it was no surprise to see this act carried out, so Vols on SI had to ask about this act of kindness before concluding the interview.
“That was very important (to me), you know. It just really made me feel good inside. I always love giving back to the little kids, especially from my hometown,” Cobbins said with a smile.
Cobbins understands the small-town life, and how such a simple gesture can make a huge difference. Talent aside, this is an A+ young man.
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Published on Mar. 4, 2026
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Vanderbilt basketball guard Frankie Collins is leaving the program, head coach Mark Byington announced on Tuesday night. The news comes just days before the Commodores are set to face off against Tennessee in the regular season finale, with the Volunteers looking to clinch a top-four seed and double-bye in the SEC Tournament.
Why it matters
Collins was Vanderbilt’s most highly touted transfer last offseason, but injuries limited him to just nine games this season. His departure leaves the Commodores shorthanded heading into a crucial matchup against their in-state rival Tennessee, who are seeking to complete a regular season sweep.
The details
The 6-foot-1 guard averaged 7.8 points, 4.7 assists and 4.2 rebounds per game this season, but suffered a meniscus injury in December that sidelined him for the majority of the year. With the emergence of sophomore point guard Tyler Tanner and Oklahoma transfer Duke Miles, Collins never quite found his footing in the Vanderbilt lineup.
- Frankie Collins left the Vanderbilt program on Tuesday, March 4, 2026.
- Vanderbilt is scheduled to face Tennessee on Saturday, March 8, 2026.
The players
Frankie Collins
A 6-foot-1 guard who was Vanderbilt’s most highly touted transfer last offseason, coming to Nashville after spending the 2024-25 season at TCU and the three prior years at Arizona State and Michigan.
Mark Byington
The head coach of the Vanderbilt Commodores basketball team.
Tyler Tanner
The sophomore point guard who emerged as a key player for Vanderbilt this season.
Duke Miles
An Oklahoma transfer shooting guard who joined the Vanderbilt roster this season.
Rick Barnes
The head coach of the Tennessee Volunteers basketball team.
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What they’re saying
“Frankie has left Nashville, and he’s not gonna be on the team. It’s gonna be good for both sides of it. We wish him well. So we’ll roll with the guys we got.”
— Mark Byington, Head Coach, Vanderbilt Commodores (rockytopinsider.com)
What’s next
With a victory over Vanderbilt, Tennessee will clinch a top four-seed and a double-bye in next week’s SEC Tournament. Vanderbilt could potentially earn a double-bye themselves with a win and a little extra help.
The takeaway
The loss of Frankie Collins leaves Vanderbilt shorthanded heading into a crucial matchup against in-state rival Tennessee, who are seeking to complete a regular season sweep. The Commodores will have to rely on the emergence of players like Tyler Tanner and Duke Miles to try and pull off the upset and keep their own postseason hopes alive.
Published on Mar. 3, 2026
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According to ESPN’s latest NFL mock draft, three former Tennessee Volunteers players are projected to be selected in the top 60 picks of the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft. Cornerbacks Jermod McCoy and Colton Hood are both projected to be first-round picks, while wide receiver Chris Brazzell II is projected to be a second-round selection.
Why it matters
The strong NFL Draft projections for Tennessee players highlight the continued talent development and success of the Volunteers football program under head coach Josh Heupel. If these projections hold true, it would mark the first time Tennessee has had two first-round picks and three players selected in the top 60 overall during Heupel’s tenure.
The details
Cornerback Jermod McCoy is projected to be selected 29th overall by the Los Angeles Rams, despite not participating in on-field workouts at the NFL Combine due to a previous ACL injury. Teammate Colton Hood is projected to be the final pick of the first round, going 32nd overall to the Seattle Seahawks. Wide receiver Chris Brazzell II impressed at the Combine with a 4.37 40-yard dash and is projected to be a second-round pick, going 60th overall to the Buffalo Bills.
- The NFL Combine was held in late February 2026.
- Tennessee’s Pro Day workouts are scheduled for the end of March 2026.
- The 2026 NFL Draft will take place in April-May 2026.
The players
Jermod McCoy
A cornerback for the Tennessee Volunteers who is projected to be a first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, despite missing the 2025 season due to an ACL injury.
Colton Hood
A cornerback for the Tennessee Volunteers who is projected to be a first-round pick, going 32nd overall to the Seattle Seahawks in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Chris Brazzell II
A wide receiver for the Tennessee Volunteers who impressed at the NFL Combine with a 4.37 40-yard dash and is projected to be a second-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
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What they’re saying
“If we’re going strictly by talent, McCoy is a top-10 prospect in this class. But he hasn’t played a game since 2024, missing all of last season after suffering an ACL tear in January 2025. We’re still not sure where he’s at in his recovery, as he did not participate in testing or drills at the combine. This gives the Rams — who haven’t drafted a corner in the first round since 2006 or before Day 3 since 2019 — the potential to get a steal here. McCoy is an easy mover who has squeaky-clean technique.”
— Jordan Reid, ESPN Analyst (ESPN)
“The reigning champions have a clear need at corner, as Josh Jobe and Riq Woolen are both scheduled to be free agents. Hood is a scheme-versatile player who can thrive in press man while also having the fluidity to excel in zone. A former all-state center fielder in high school, Hood’s ball skills frequently show up on tape (10 pass breakups and an interception last season). With his poised technique and wrap-up-and-finish tackling, he would fit well on the outside of Mike Macdonald’s secondary.”
— Jordan Reid, ESPN Analyst (ESPN)
“The Bills need someone who can separate on the outside, and Brazzell is an ‘X’ receiver who can be a deep vertical threat. He can also sink his weight and run a true route tree, making him a good fit with quarterback Josh Allen.”
— Jordan Reid, ESPN Analyst (ESPN)
What’s next
Tennessee’s Pro Day workouts are scheduled for the end of March 2026, where McCoy plans to participate in on-field drills to further showcase his recovery from the ACL injury. Strong performances at the Pro Day could potentially push McCoy back up draft boards into the top half of the first round.
The takeaway
The strong NFL Draft projections for Tennessee players demonstrate the continued talent development and success of the Volunteers football program under head coach Josh Heupel. If these projections hold true, it would mark a significant milestone for the program, with Tennessee potentially having two first-round picks and three players selected in the top 60 overall for the first time during Heupel’s tenure.
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