Tennessee
Tennessee baseball weakness exposed by Evansville even if Vols make it to Omaha | Estes
KNOXVILLE – It may feel like it, but the worst hasn’t yet befallen Tennessee baseball. All Saturday did was provide reason to start considering such a demise.
Which was already happening long before Game 2 of this weekend’s NCAA Super Regional ended with Evansville celebrating in Lindsey Nelson Stadium. You could sense that the vibe had shifted. And the Vols were playing tighter. And an atmosphere of quiet tension suggested a gathering of minds at the same destination:
Is this really happening?
Is Tennessee, as the No. 1 overall seed in the country, about to blow another super regional at home? Only this time against a mid-major opponent who opened this NCAA Tournament as a No. 4 seed in its regional?
Might tiny Evansville actually be pulling off one of the biggest postseason upsets ever in college baseball, making it all the way to the College World Series?
Can’t say it’s impossible. Not anymore.
Not after Saturday’s 10-8 victory over the Vols evened the series and forced Sunday evening’s deciding Game 3.
“Hands down, the greatest win in our school’s history,” said Evansville coach Wes Carroll. “… We’re in rare air. We’re in unchartered waters. But we’re going to come to the yard loose (on Sunday).”
Any notion in Knoxville of Evansville (39-25) as this wide-eyed, charming super regional underdog story no longer applies after the past two days. The Aces have repeatedly been knocked around by the Vols, and they haven’t backed down at all, scrapping and swinging and hanging in there. In Game 1, Tennessee simply had too much.
So in Game 2, when the Vols hinted at more of that, belting three first-inning home runs and chasing Evansville’s starter Donovan Schultz after only 1⅓ innings, it seemed a prelude to the kill.
Who would Tennessee have rather had out there protecting an early 4-0 lead than pitcher Drew Beam?
Except Beam stumbled. He allowed five runs in 4⅔ innings, and his replacements weren’t any better. Vols relievers Kirby Connell, Nate Snead and Andrew Behnke collectively faced 15 batters and allowed eight hits. The Aces scored 10 runs in the fourth, fifth and sixth innings.
This tournament, sooner or later, exposes the vulnerabilities of any team.
Saturday was that moment for Tennessee.
Evansville exposed its lack of reliable pitching depth, and even if the Vols advance to Omaha on Sunday, Saturday’s mid-inning stretch is a serious warning flag about their title chances.
Dig Deeper: Tennessee baseball bullpen melts down as Evansville forces super regional Game 3
It was troubling to see Beam – Tennessee’s lone true starting pitcher – fail to make it past the fifth inning for his third start in a row. It was troubling, too, to see hard-throwing Snead hit soundly by the Aces, and for Behnke to enter and promptly give up a two-run homer.
The weight of pitching uncertainty has been there all season for the Vols, though it has been easily carried by the best batting lineup in college baseball.
Except the Vols’ hitters didn’t save this Saturday. After a run-scoring double by Kavares Tears in the fifth inning, Tennessee didn’t get another hit until a bloop single by Billy Amick in the ninth.
Meantime, the Vols went down in order in the seventh and eighth. Cue that quiet tension in the stadium I’d referenced, broken only by the cheers of the purple-clad visitors.
The place did liven up in the ninth inning, when the Vols, trailing 10-5, scored three runs. The late push fell short, but it looms significant for a couple of reasons. There’s momentum for Sunday, of course, but Tennessee also forced Carroll to do something he didn’t want to do. Evansville had to bring in Shane Harris – who’d pitched Friday – to finish Game 2 rather than save him for Game 3.
“Obviously, the game ended in the ninth inning,” Vols coach Tony Vitello said, “but I think (the rally) helped more than our players would even know.”
There was positivity to be taken from Tennessee’s finishing kick. But acute disappointment, too. Because who else would they have wanted at the plate with the bases loaded and two outs than Christian Moore?
Except Moore popped up.
Tennessee left 11 runners on base in Game 2, and nine were credited to the top four hitters in that fearsome lineup: Moore, Blake Burke, Billy Amick and Dylan Dreiling. The Vols were .182 (2-of-11) with runners in scoring position Saturday, while the Aces were .667 (4-of-6) and a sizzling .500 (8-for-16) with two outs.
Days like these happen in baseball. The Vols just can’t have another.
And if pressure was on their shoulders Saturday afternoon, just wait for Sunday night.
Reach Tennessean sports columnist Gentry Estes at gestes@tennessean.com and on the X platform (formerly known as Twitter) @Gentry_Estes.
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.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WCYB) — Tennessee Athletics’ “Big Orange Caravan” presented by Pilot will roll into the Tri-Cities on April 30, bringing some of the university’s most recognizable faces to Kingsport.
The statewide tour, a collaboration between Tennessee Athletics and the UT Knoxville Office of Alumni Affairs, features Vice Chancellor/Director of Athletics Danny White, men’s basketball coach Rick Barnes, women’s basketball coach Kim Caldwell, head football coach Josh Heupel and “Voice of the Vols” Mike Keith.
The Tri-Cities stop is scheduled for Thursday, April 30, at Meadowview Convention Center, 1901 Meadowview Parkway, Kingsport, Tennessee. Doors open at 5 p.m., followed by a meet-and-greet session with the headliners from 5:30-6:15 p.m. The program begins at 6:15 p.m.
Hosted by Keith, the evening will include stories, program insight and a question-and-answer session with Tennessee’s athletics leaders and coaches. The UT Spirit Squads also will be in attendance.
Tickets are $30, plus taxes and fees, and include light food options. A cash bar, along with additional light food and appetizers, will be available.
Of each ticket sold, $5 will benefit the local UT Alumni chapter’s scholarship endowment and $10 will go toward the My All Campaign.
The Tri-Cities event is the final stop of the three-city spring tour. The caravan opens in Chattanooga on April 28 before heading to Nashville on April 29. As announced last spring, Chattanooga and Memphis will alternate as tour stops each year.
The Big Orange Caravan is designed to connect Tennessee coaches and administrators with fans across the state, offering behind-the-scenes insight and celebrating the support of the Volunteer community.
Tickets for the Tri-Cities stop can be purchased at https://www.gofevo.com/event/BOCTriCities26
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Tennessee star Nate Ament will miss a game against South Carolina on Tuesday, the program announced on Monday night. Ament was injured during a weekend contest against Alabama.
Ament was injured when he was rolled up on while going for a loose ball. His leg twisted awkwardly underneath him, and Ament immediately went to the locker room.
He would return briefly in the second half. Nate Ament even made a basket, but then he appeared to tweak his injury shortly after and returned to the bench. He did not re-enter the contest.
Tennessee issued a short statement on his availability against South Carolina. The program released the statement on Twitter.
“Nate Ament will not play tomorrow night at South Carolina,” Tennessee wrote. “Ament is out due to a right leg injury sustained Saturday against Alabama. The timetable for his return is to be determined and he will continue to be evaluated.”
A 6-foot-10, 207-pound freshman, Ament has been one of Tennessee’s best players all season. He is the team’s second-leading scorer, averaging 17.4 points per game. He’s also the team’s leading rebounder, securing 6.4 rebounds per game.
Nate Ament signs NIL deal with Reebok
On3’s Nick Schultz recently published a list of some of the top brands to sign college basketball freshmen to NIL deals. Ament was one of the top signees.
In addition to Arkansas star Darius Acuff, Ament signed with Reebok this year. Ament was the crown jewel of Tennessee’s recruiting class. He signed with the brand in October 2024 while he was the No. 4 overall player from the 2025 cycle, according to the Rivals Industry Ranking.
Nate Ament sits second on the Tennessee roster with 17.4 points per game, and his 6.4 rebounds on average leads the Vols. Additionally, his $1.3 million On3 NIL Valuation ranks No. 14 in college basketball and No. 56 in the On3 NIL 100.
On3’s Nick Schultz also contributed to this report.
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