Tennessee

Everything Florida coach Billy Napier said the 23-17 loss at No. 8 Tennessee

Published

1 year ago

October 13, 2024

Everything Florida coach Billy Napier said the 23-17 loss at No. 8 Tennessee

Everything Florida coach Billy Napier said after the Gators lost 23-17 in overtime at No. 8 Tennessee Saturday night at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville:

Florida’s decision to kick the point after at the end of regulation

“We had a play that we felt good about and then obviously they burned their timeout and I think we felt from the three there we were playing pretty good on both sides of our team at that point in time so we thought, ‘Let’s go play overtime. Let’s go give our guys a chance to play some more plays.’ Defensively, we kept ourself in it. Wasn’t quite ready to do that at that point in time.”

Florida not getting off a field goal at the end of the first half, the half ending on a Florida penalty

“It was relative to an injury, just to be cut and dry. It was a substitution error based on an injured player who stayed on the field. Yeah, that’s exactly what it was. The injured player that had been substituted on that unit did not come off. He stayed.”

Injury updates for Florida quarterback Graham Mertz and running back Montrell Johnson

“I think it’s tough. Obviously Graham played phenomenal in the game. I thought he was lights out. Really prepared well and came to play. He does have an injury, a lower-body injury. Obviously, we’ll give you some updates on that when we get to next week. It was significant enough that he couldn’t complete the game. I think that Montrell Johnson was in that category as well. He wasn’t able to return and then RJ Moten had an injury that was a little bit of a setback.”

This Florida team being really close to a good team

“I would think the defensive performance and then just our ability to move the ball throughout. We had opportunities in the red area. I think we’re three of six in terms of scoring opportunities, and ultimately that was the tale of the tape. Fumble on the 1-yard line; 3rd-and-1we get stopped, forced to kick a field goal; we go for it on 4th-and-1, great play by their corner running over the top, great tackle; and then we missed the field goal in overtime. Technically speaking, just a ton of missed opportunities in terms of points in the first half.”

What stuck out to him defensively

“We played with good gap integrity. I thought the line of scrimmage, on the edges, we tackled well, we mixed in the pressures. We were able to create some negative plays, made some long-yardage situations, and then ultimately we got off the field. We were pretty good on conversion downs throughout the day. So defensively, we we kept ourselves in the game. We had a chance to really take control of the game in the first half, and we missed on those opportunities.”

Florida freshman running back Jadan Baugh:

“Those guys are all capable players. Jadan and Ja’Kobi, both are rookies. But I do think they’re both very capable. Certainly, Jadan has already done some good things this year, and we have a ton of confidence in both players. They practice the right way. They have character, smart, they’re tough and they’re productive. So we’re going to continue to get those guys involved.”

The mood of Florida players

“It’s the hardest part about it. They played their tails off. I had a front-row seat to it. They played extremely hard in the game. There’s no guarantees in this game. You have to put yourself out there, with no guaranteed reward. It takes courage to do that. I think ultimately, there’s an opportunity here for our team. I just really believe there’s something good on the other side of this. I do think that it’s a challenge. I think that ultimately we’re all going to be tested, we’re all going to be challenged. This game it’s going to be that way. If you’re a competitor, you play this game, you’re always going to be challenged, you’re always going to be tested, there’s always going to be scenarios where you don’t get the results you want. And do you have the discipline to reset, do it again? Or will you get distracted? Will you compromise your character? I don’t think we have that issue. I think we got a bunch of guys that care about each other, that played their tails off, that prepared the right way and competed. I think we just came up with a handful of plays short. That’s where, as a coach, it’s a punch in the gut relative to you just want to do everything you can do to help the players.”

Florida’s injuries playing into competition at practice

“We will continue to operate, it’s working. That’s what I would tell you. I think our kids have bought into it. It’s helped our level of play in all parts of our team.”

Florida playing hard, fighting in spite of injuries

“We got a group. We’ve got a great combination of players relative to veteran leadership and we have some young guys that have the right mindset and have the right makeup that have an opportunity to contribute. There’s a lot of guys, so many people that contribute to what you watched out there tonight. A bunch of them didn’t get a chance to make the trip but they worked their tail off all throughout the week to help the team prepare. It’s one of the best things about this group. Obviously, this will be a challenge here. We will have an opportunity to respond. We will play football next week.”

The performance from DJ Lagway

“One of the things about DJ that I respect is that as a competitor he has this unique ability to raise his level of play at critical moments. I think you obviously not only picked the right route progression but had to move and threw a strike in a critical moment. And, look, I thought he even did some of his more impressive stuff in the first half when he was playing. I thought he did a lot of really good things. For a rookie to go, play on the road in that environment, to step up in a big time, big moment. He’s got that in his DNA. There’s a bright future ahead of it for him.”

His confidence if DJ Lagway has to lead the team moving forward

“Well, he started one game earlier in the year and then obviously he’s had an opportunity to contribute each week. He’ll be more prepared. But we’ll cross that bridge when we get to it. I have absolute confidence in DJ Lagway.”

Florida’s failed jet sweep to Eugene Wilson III on fourth and inches

“We got them all blocked. I think the guy that had Tre man-to-man ran over the top of the play and made a heck of a play. We blocked the perimeter really well. DJ Made a good decision. I think it’s an outstanding play by the corner that had Tre, to show up on the other side. It was a good physical tackle and a really good play by the defender.”

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Tennessee

Former Tennessee Football Legend Accepts SEC Coaching Gig

Published

10 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

22 hours 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.

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Tennessee Football Misses on Major Transfer Portal Target

Published

1 day ago

January 7, 2026

Press Room

Tennessee Football Misses on Major Transfer Portal Target

The Tennessee Volunteers have been looking to land the best of the best when it comes to the transfer portal, and they have been targeting the best, but as of recently, all it has been is a bunch of swings and misses.

The Vols have missed yet again, as they have failed to land one of their top targets on their board when it comes to the college football transfer portal at a position that they currently need more than any. That position is the cornerback position, which is one that they need very badly.

The player that they failed to land in this go-around is Troy cornerback Jaquez White. White is one of the better players that the portal has seen at the position, as he was easily named as a top portal target for many. He was seriously looking at Tennessee, and the Vols were ready to bring him in, but instead, he has opted to commit to the Virginia Tech Hokies. The Hokies have done a decent job in the portal thus far, but their portal class has definitely improved following the addition of White.

Whether this is a money thing or the Vols just couldn’t do enough convincing, the point is that they have missed on guys left and right recently. The vision isn’t clear, but fans are hopeful that it will be soon.

Here is what White did in his 2025 season according to the Troy website.

Jaquez White’s 2025 Season

Troy Trojans cornerback Jaquez White (8) tackles Clemson Tigers running back Adam Randall (8) Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025 during the NCAA football game at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina. | Alex Martin/Greenville News / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

“Earned All-Sun Belt Second Team honors … Ranked third in the league (seventh nationally) with 14 total passes defended and fourth (15th nationally) with 11 pass break ups … Started 12 games and played in all 14 contests … Returned an interception 30 yards for a touchdown in Troy’s victory over Louisiana; added interceptions against Nicholls and in Sun Belt Championship Game at James Madison … Finished season with 67 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss and a sack … Sack came in Troy’s win over South Alabama; added five tackles, a quarterback hurry and a pass break up in the game … Season-best seven tackles against Memphis … Broke up four passes in win at ULM and had a pair at Southern Miss … Troy’s top-rated defender per PFF with an 87.6 rating … Played 879 defensive snaps, second most on the team … Third-rated cornerback in the country (min. 700 snaps) per PFF and fourth-rated cover corner … Held opponents to a 54.5 reception percentage (36-of-66).”