Tennessee

Analyst Sends Titans Sam Darnold Warning

Published

1 year ago

December 27, 2024

Analyst Sends Titans Sam Darnold Warning

The Tennessee Titans are going to need to make a quarterback move this offseason. It’s clear that Will Levis is not ready to be a starter and Mason Rudolph isn’t a starting caliber quarterback either.

With that being said, many have been urging the Titans to make a move for Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold.

Darnold has put together a massive season so far with the Vikings and has led the team to a 13-2 record entering Week 17 action. He has looked the part of a legitimate star so far this year.

Even though the numbers look great, one writer thinks that Tennessee should stay away from Darnold.

Sam Phalen of AtoZ Sports has warned the Titans to avoid Darnold “at all costs” this offseason.

“You could probably make compelling arguments for or against all of the quarterbacks on the market. But for me, there’s one option the Titans need to avoid at all costs: Paying Sam Darnold franchise quarterback money in free agency,” Phalen wrote.

His warning makes a lot of sense. Darnold has looked nothing close to being this kind of player with any of the other teams he has played with. He could very well be experiencing a big blowup due to the offense he is in and the weapons he is playing with.

So far this season in 15 games, Darnold has completed 67.2 percent of his pass attempts for 3,776 yards, 32 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions. He has also picked up 205 yards and a touchdown on the ground.

At just 27 years old, he is still young enough to end up being a franchise quarterback for a team if he keeps playing the way he has shown so far this year with Minnesota.

However, the truth of the matter is that Tennessee does not have a Justin Jefferson for him to throw to. Brian Callahan is a good offensive mind, the Kevin O’Connell’s offensive system fits Darnold perfectly.

There is a very good chance that he could end up falling flat immediately after leaving the Vikings.

That being said, the Titans simply cannot afford to miss on their next quarterback move. Another mistake at the position could lead to yet another all-out rebuild.

Expect to continue hearing Tennessee get linked as a fit for Darnold. Phalen certainly doesn’t think they should pay him big money, but the Titans could feel different.

It’s going to be very interesting to see what the upcoming offseason has in store for Tennessee.

Make sure you bookmark Tennessee Titans on SI for the latest news, exclusive interviews, film breakdowns and so much more!

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Tennessee

How Tennessee basketball, Nate Ament pushed through Vanderbilt’s physicality

Published

1 hour ago

February 21, 2026

Press Room

How Tennessee basketball, Nate Ament pushed through Vanderbilt’s physicality

NASHVILLE — Tennessee basketball coach Rick Barnes often calls the SEC the most physical league in college basketball.

The Vols and Vanderbilt amped up the physicality to a higher level on Feb. 21. The referees largely allowed the players to push, trip and grab each other throughout the game. Splashes of orange repeatedly fell on the hardwood at Memorial Gymnasium.

The Vols (20-7, 10-4 SEC), however, continued to pick themselves back up in a 69-65 win over No. 18 Vanderbilt (21-6, 8-6), tying a program record of five consecutive 20-win seasons. The Vols last achieved the feat under Don DeVoe from 1980 to 1985.

Tennessee coach Rick Barnes called the game “pretty physical.” Sophomore guard Bishop Boswell agreed.

“I think it’s pretty high up there,” Boswell said about where this win ranks for the team. “A rivalry game like this, you’re going to have to grind it out. It’s not always going to be easy and I think we did that.”

The increased intensity bothered Nate Ament through much of the game. The freshman, who scored 13 points on 3-of-13 shooting, often found himself challenging a sea of Commodores at the rim or attempting to regain his balance.

On one play, Ament blew past a defender and had his easiest shot attempt of the game. Instead of a highlight dunk fueling Tennessee’s second-half comeback, the 6-foot-10 forward slammed the ball into the rim. He would redeem himself, though, with an impossible jump shot against blanket coverage that gave the Vols a 66-65 lead with 54 seconds remaining.

“He struggled,” Barnes said. “They had a lot to do with that, obviously. But he made that one when it counted. He stayed with it.”

Tennessee basketball’s ‘other’ players were key

Although Ja’Kobi Gillespie led the Vols with 17 points, and Ament buried the picture-perfect shot, Barnes made sure to credit the role players.

Before Ament’s bucket, Boswell made two baskets that erased Vanderbilt’s three-point lead in the final 90 seconds.

“It was important because I do think Ja’Kobi and Nate were winded,” Barnes said. “Vanderbilt did a great job of guarding them all night long, like we guarded their guys. It’s going to come back to where those other three guys have to be able to make the plays. The steals that we had on the other end were important to get us back into the game. Ethan (Burg) had a great night. Amari (Evans) and Bishop, and DeWayne (Brown II), those guys were the key to the game today.”

Brown and Burg specifically made several plays to bring Tennessee back from a 49-42 deficit 10 minutes into the second half. Brown started the half for Felix Okpara, who was in foul trouble, and closed the game. He made a layup that brought Tennessee within four points, then made another that gave the Vols a 53-51 lead.

“DeWayne was really good,” Barnes said. “He played a lot of minutes. The more he’s out there, the better he’s going to be. He’s been the biggest surprise on the team this year. We talked about it earlier in the year when we got everybody together for the first time. Somebody is going to surprise you and somebody is going to disappoint you. No question DeWayne Brown has been the biggest surprise of the team this year.”

Burg re-entered the Vols’ rotation after his performance against LSU, and he further cemented his role against Vanderbilt. He drew an offensive foul, got a steal, and made a layup that tied the game.

As March approaches, Boswell feels better about the Vols’ depth after every win.

“Everybody might not have their best night every game,” he said, “but I think we have 15 guys that can come in and make an impact.”

Wynton Jackson covers high school sports for Knox News. Email: wynton.jackson@knoxnews.com

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Tennessee

How to watch Tennessee basketball at No. 19 Vanderbilt on Saturday

Published

14 hours ago

February 21, 2026

Press Room

How to watch Tennessee basketball at No. 19 Vanderbilt on Saturday

It’s game day for Tennessee basketball and it’s a big one. The Vols are on the road Saturday afternoon, facing Vanderbilt in a 2 p.m. Eastern Time start on ESPN at Memorial Gymnasium in Nashville.

Tennessee (19-7, 9-4 SEC) has won seven of its eight games after the 89-66 win over Oklahoma Wednesday night at Food City Center.

Vanderbilt (21-5, 8-5) is 5-5 over its last 10 games after its starting the season with 16 straight wins.

How To Watch: Tennessee at No. 19 Vanderbilt

When: Saturday, 2 p.m. Eastern Time
Where: Memorial Gymnasium
TV: ESPN
Streaming: WatchESPN.com, ESPN App
Radio: The Vol Network
Radio Stream: SiriusXM, SXM App
KenPom.com Prediction: Vanderbilt 77, Tennessee 73

Tennessee listed J.P. Estrella as questionable on the initial SEC Availability Report Friday night. Head coach Rick Barnes said before practice Friday morning at Pratt Pavilion that the redshirt sophomore power forward is day to day as he continues to deal with soreness in his left foot.

Estrella, who was a partial participant in Friday’s practice, is averaging 9.7 points and 5.2 rebounds per game in 17.3 minutes per game this season, making seven starts in his 23 appearances. He had 16 points and had nine rebounds in 28 minutes during Tennessee’s 73-63 win over LSU Saturday, including 18 minutes in the second half.

Barnes said after Estrella missed the 89-66 win over Oklahoma on Wednesday that the decisions moving forward would “be based on what (Estrella) feels” after dealing with a foot injury in the past.

“I don’t think there’s any question it is a concern for him,” Barnes said. “Feet problems are hard to get right. … It’s just some soreness set in and we just have to get it quieting down.”

The Series History

Tennessee is 132-77 all time against Vanderbilt, in a series that dates back to February 1922. The Vols have a 45-55 away record against the Commodores and are 79-21 at home.

Last season Tennessee lost 76-75 at Vanderbilt and won 81-76 in Knoxville. The Vols host Vandy on March 7 this year in the regular-season finale at Food City Center.

Rick Barnes is 17-5 in his career against Vanderbilt, with a 16-5 record against the Commodores as Tennessee’s head coach. The Vols have won 14 of the last 16 in the series, including 11 straight between January 2018 and January 2023.

A closer look at Vanderbilt

Vanderbilt started the season a perfect 16-0, including a 3-0 start in SEC play after a win over LSU on January 10, then lost three straight to Texas, Florida and Arkansas.

The Commodores bounced back with five wins over their next six games, with the loss coming at home against Oklahoma, 92-91 on February 7. Vandy lost 81-80 at Missouri on Wednesday.

Vandy is No. 12 overall in the KenPom ratings, ranked No. 14 in adjusted offensive efficiency (125.3) and No. 19 in adjusted defensive efficiency (97.5).

Tyler Tanner leads Vanderbilt in points (18.6), assists (5.3) and steals (2.5) while Devin McGlockton (6.9) leads the team in rebounding.

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Tennessee basketball updates J.P. Estrella injury status vs. Vandy on SEC Availability Report

Published

1 day ago

February 20, 2026

Press Room

Tennessee basketball updates J.P. Estrella injury status vs. Vandy on SEC Availability Report

J.P. Estrella on Friday was listed as questionable on the initial SEC Availability Report for Tennessee basketball’s game at Vanderbilt on Saturday. The availability report will be updated around Noon Eastern Time on Saturday.

Estrella is dealing with soreness in his left foot, which left him limited in practice Friday morning at Pratt Pavilion. He did not play in the 89-66 win over Oklahoma on Wednesday, after being listed as doubtful on the initial availability report on Tuesday.

The Vols on Friday also listed Clarence Massamba as out for the second time in three games as the freshman guard deals with a right hip issue.

Tennessee (19-7, 9-4 SEC) goes to Vanderbilt (21-5, 8-5) on Saturday for a 2 p.m. Eastern Time start on ESPN at Memorial Gymnasium in Nashville.

‘I don’t think there’s any question it is a concern for him’

Rick Barnes said before practice Friday morning that Estrella is still considered day to day.

“They were doing some stuff with him yesterday on the treadmill,” Barnes said. “And I believe it will be a day-to-day thing from here on out, I would just guess.”

Barnes added the decisions moving forward would “be based on what he feels” after dealing with a foot injury in the past.

In November 2024 Estrella had surgery to address a stress fracture in his left foot, ending his sophomore season after just three games.

Estrella is averaging 9.7 points and 5.2 rebounds per game while shooting 61.6% from the field in 17.3 minutes per game this season, making seven starts in his 23 appearances. He had 16 points and had nine rebounds in 28 minutes during Tennessee’s 73-63 win over LSU Saturday, including 18 minutes in the second half.

J.P. Estrella this season: 9.7 points, 5.2 rebounds, 61.6% FG

He had played 17 or more minutes in seven straight games, including a career-high 35 against Ole Miss on February 3 and 31 at Georgia on January 28.

Estrella has missed two games due to injury this season: November 20 vs. Tennessee State and December 2 at Syracuse. He suffered a bone bruise in a win over Rice on November 17 and a week later turned his ankle in a loss against Kansas in the Players Era Festival in Las Vegas.

In his last two appearances Estrella is 10-for-14 from the field, scoring 28 points to go with 16 rebounds. He had 11 points and eight rebounds in the loss at Kentucky.

Barnes noted Wednesday that the current soreness is in a different area of Estrella’s left foot and that Estrella played through some soreness before alerting Tennessee’s staff.

“I think it had been sore and he didn’t tell anybody because I think he wants to play so badly,” Barnes said. “… I think it was sore before he let us know it because he wants to really help this team and his teammates.

“But he can’t do that. He has had that problem with that foot. That is something that you can’t mess around with.”

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