Tennessee

6 burning Tennessee football questions after spring game, as transfer portal opens

Published

2 years ago

April 17, 2024

6 burning Tennessee football questions after spring game, as transfer portal opens

Tennessee football can rest easy about its starting quarterback situation. Not only is Nico Iamaleava the starter, he’s a star in the making. Iamaleava’s tidy 7-of-9 passing performance in Saturday’s spring game reiterated that all is well with Tennessee’s QB1.

Elsewhere on the roster, it’s more of a mixed situation. The Vols have a few areas they could solidify entering this spring transfer portal window.

On this edition of “The Volunteer State,” Blake Toppmeyer of the USA TODAY Network and the News Sentinel’s Adam Sparks review the spring game and address some burning questions.

Which areas of the roster look like strengths? Where does Tennessee require reinforcements?

Let’s dive in:

Is Elijah Herring’s departure to the transfer portal a red flag?

No. Although Herring led Tennessee with 80 tackles last season, he faced a more complicated path to retaining a starting job because of Keenan Pili’s return from injury and the development of Jeremiah Telander. Herring’s tackle stats didn’t tell the full story, either. Tennessee needs improvement from that position.

Who’s Tennessee’s backup quarterback behind Nico Iamaleava, and should the Vols be worried about QB depth?

Gaston Moore is the backup, and freshman Jake Merklinger follows behind him. Both played well in the spring game. Moore is better than your typical walk-on, and he’s familiar with Josh Heupel’s system.

If Iamaleava misses a few plays, Tennessee is in fine shape with its backup options. If Iamaleava were to miss extended time, that could be an issue for the Vols. But, a lot of teams around college football could say that.

Is there a running back depth problem behind Dylan Sampson?

That depends on Cam Seldon’s injury situation. Seldon did not play in the spring game after undergoing shoulder surgery. If Tennessee has concerns about Seldon’s availability, then it should hunt for a transfer to offer support for Sampson.

Is this secondary better or just newer?

The secondary featured a significant amount of offseason turnover, which offers opportunities for guys Heupel’s staff recruited. But, is this new-look group better or just different? We’re inclined to say “wait and see,” because there’s cause for doubt when so many new pieces are assembled in one offseason. That said, a healthy pass rush might hide deficiencies.

TOPPMEYER: Nick Saban becomes a hype man at Alabama spring game. Now, there’s a sight to see

SPARKS: Tennessee football fans critique Nico Iamaleava, praise backup QBs after spring game

ADAMS: Brace yourself Tennessee fans. More transfers could be coming, going

Is the offense ‘back,’ because of a wide receiver upgrade?

Maybe, and Tulane transfer wide receiver Chris Brazell looks like the real deal. This is a solid group of receivers. Iamaleava offers the biggest reason to believe Tennessee’s offense could be closer to its 2022 production than a repeat of 2023.

Are the offensive line questions resolved at left tackle, left guard and backup center?

One question is answered. LSU transfer Lance Heard will hold it down at left tackle. Those other O-line questions require further evaluation.

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Blake Toppmeyer is the USA TODAY Network’s SEC Columnist and a published author. Adam Sparks covers the Vols with award-winning coverage for the News Sentinel. You can subscribe to read all their coverage, or check out the SEC Unfiltered newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox. Also check out the “SEC Football Unfiltered” podcast.

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Tennessee

Why first quarter was ‘crucial’ in Mississippi State’s loss to Tennessee

Published

5 hours ago

January 9, 2026

Press Room

Why first quarter was ‘crucial’ in Mississippi State’s loss to Tennessee

Sam Purcell felt good about the game plan for Mississippi State women’s basketball’s matchup with Tennessee.

But the Bulldogs gave up 26 points in the first quarter and trailed by seven points. It was a deficit they never recovered from in a 90-80 loss to the Lady Vols at Humphrey Coliseum on Jan. 8.

“You look at that that first quarter, I thought it was crucial. We had a great scout, a great game plan, but we didn’t talk on ball screens,” Purcell said. “Their largest quarter was that first quarter, and we’re going to watch back and go, dang it, we need to be more vocal. And you got to give them credit – top to bottom, they’re probably as good as anybody in the country with athleticism. So you can’t let those athletic kids turn the corner for wide open layups, and we did.”

Kharyssa Richardson and Madison Francis led the Bulldogs with 22 points each, but MSU didn’t have enough defense to pull off the upset.

Had Mississippi State been able to slow down Tennessee’s drivers in the first quarter, it may have been a different result. But once the Bulldogs started slowing that down, the Lady Vols were “phenomenal hitting some big-time shots,” Purcell said.

Tennessee only had the edge in points in the paint, 42-40, but it also went 10-for-27 on 3-pointers, which was an area Mississippi State couldn’t match. The Bulldogs shot 2-for-13 from deep.

MSU also couldn’t stop Tennessee freshman point guard Mia Pauldo, who scored a game-high 26 points on 8-for-12 shooting. The Bulldogs sent her to the foul line time and time again, and she went 8-for-9 on free throws.

“I thought (Pauldo) was poised, she was clutch,” Purcell said. “Obviously, that’s what you need in games like this that are gonna come down the to the wire. You need players to step up, and I thought she was the X factor for them.”

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Former Tennessee Football Legend Accepts SEC Coaching Gig

Published

17 hours ago

January 8, 2026

Press Room

Former Tennessee Football Legend Accepts SEC Coaching Gig

The Tennessee Volunteers have been one of the main teams when it comes to producing talent and sending talent to the NFL, which is something that has often been discovered as a standard for the football program. This is something that has been going on for quite some time and isn’t anything new to the news cycle, as the Vols have been able to produce plenty of talented prospects.

Tennessee is the home of many stars, including some of the best defensive players in SEC history. Guys like Eric Berry have found their way through the Tennessee program and onto the NFL, where they would have legendary careers. However, the defensive side of the football is the only side that has produced plenty of talent, as Tennessee has produced a lot of offensive talent as well. With the likes of Peyton Manning and company, the Vols have shown a great track record in getting talent drafted.

The Vols have produced someone who could be considered as one of the best players to play the Tide end position, as the Knoxville, Tennessee program is the home to Dallas Cowboys legend, Jason Witten. Witten is someone who made the most of his career and has been viewed as a top player at the Tide in position, and someone who is often referred to as a legend for the Cowboys, along with being a legend in the game of football as a whole.

Jason Witten Accepts TE Coach Position For Oklahoma

Oct 10, 2010; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys tight end Jason Witten (82) on the phone in the bench area in the fourth quarter against the Tennessee Titans at Cowboys Stadium. The Titans beat the Cowboys 34-27. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-Imagn Images | Matthew Emmons-Imagn Images

Witten is now taking a new gig, which has him in a huge role inside the Southeastern Conference. The Vols legend is now the tight end coach for the Oklahoma Sooners. The Sooners have had some success out of their tight ends in the past, but the sky is the limit with a guy like Witten coaching up the players. Witten has the opportunity to do really well, as coaching tight ends won’t be an issue, and you have to imagine that he will be able to recruit very well, considering he has a huge name around him, as this is something that we have seen from positional coaches as well as head coaches who have done great work in the league. You have to imagine that the Vols will now have stiff competition for his son, Cooper, who is a five-star recruit for the upcoming 2027 class at the linebacker position.

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Tennessee Football DB Transfer Boo Carter Visits the Vols Rival

Published

1 day ago

January 8, 2026

Press Room

Tennessee Football DB Transfer Boo Carter Visits the Vols Rival

The Tennessee Volunteers are looking to land many of the nation’s best players in the transfer portal to replace the players who have already announced they are transferring away from Tennessee. One of the players they lost very early on to the portal, and his plans of entering the portal is Boo Carter.

Carter is someone who has quickly made a name for himself, as he played for the Vols as a freshman. He also played for the Tennessee Vols this past season before suffering an injury that sidelined him for the rest of the season. Carter entered the portal and left an announcement on his X page for those interested. Here is what was said.

“I’d like to take this opportunity to thank The University of Tennessee Coaches, administrators and fans for a wonderful 2 years. Unfortunately my season has been cut short due to injury. I have decided to enter the transfer portal and I am excited about the opportunities going forward!-Boo Carter”

Boo Carter Visits Vanderbilt

Tennessee defensive back Boo Carter (23) pulls on his jersey during Tennessee football preseason practice, in Knoxville, Tennessee, Aug. 6, 2025. | Angelina Alcantar/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Now that the portal is here, he has started to hear from many teams, including a team many anticipated to be in the picture. The Vols DB heard from the Vanderbilt staff and is now reportedly visiting them. This is a school where many of his friends go currently, and a school that has been doing well, but it is no secret that this is one of the Vols’ biggest rivalries.

He is undecided on a possible commitment somewhere, but the reports have started to indicate that the Commodores are a team to watch moving forward. This will be one to watch for the Vols, as there is a good chance they may see Carter next season.

“Dynamic athlete who quickly made an impact on defense and special teams as a true freshman … Earned the starting STAR position and shined while becoming a dangerous weapon as a punt returner as a true freshman in 2024 … Saw action as a slot receiver as well during 2025 spring practices … Early enrollee in January 2024 who participated in Citrus Bowl practices and spring practice before his true freshman season … Has compiled 63 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, three forced fumbles, three pass breakups and one interception on defense in his career … Dynamic punt returner who averages 16.0 yards per return in his career … Played in 21 career games and made five starts,” the Tennessee Vols athletics website stated.