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How to watch Tennessee football freshmen in Polynesian Bowl, where Nico Iamaleava was MVP last year

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How to watch Tennessee football freshmen in Polynesian Bowl, where Nico Iamaleava was MVP last year


Tennessee football fans can get a sneak preview of the newest Vols on national TV.

Five UT signees in the 2024 class will play in the Polynesian Bowl on Friday (9 p.m. ET) in Hawaii. The high school all-star game will be televised on the NFL Network.

This is the same game where UT quarterback Nico Iamaleava won MVP honors a year ago.

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In this year’s Polynesian Bowl, the Vols will be represented on both sides of the football.

Quarterback Jake Merklinger, wide receiver Mike Matthews and offensive tackle Bennett Warren will be on offense. Edge rusher Jordan Ross and linebacker Edwin Spillman will line up defense.

Matthews and Ross were already on campus as UT early enrollees, and they participated in the Vols’ practices for the Citrus Bowl. The other three are finishing high school and then joining the Vols in the summer.

All five players will be freshmen in the 2024 season.

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What to watch from Vols football at Polynesian Bowl

Merklinger is a four-star signee and ranked the No. 9 quarterback in the 2024 class, according to the 247Sports Composite. He will compete with veteran Gaston Moore for the backup job behind Iamaleava in the 2024 season.

Matthews is a five-star signee and ranked the No. 5 wide receiver in the 2024 class. If he has a strong spring practice, he could challenge for playing time as a freshman.

Warren is a four-star signee and ranked the No. 11 offensive tackle in the 2024 class. Usually offensive linemen develop as freshmen, but Warren already has the size (6-foot-7, 342 pounds) to compete at the SEC level.

TENNESSEE IN PLAYOFF? Vols must upgrade these 6 positions to make 2024 CFP

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Ross is a five-star signee and ranked the No. 3 edge rusher in the 2024 class. The Vols have stacked dynamic edge rushers in recent seasons, led by All-SEC performer James Pearce. But if Ross flashes as a freshman, there’s always room for another pass rusher.

Spillman is a four-star signee and ranked the No. 28 linebacker in the 2024 class. The Lipscomb Academy standout was one of the top recruits in Tennessee. As a freshman, he’ll likely be a contributor on special teams while he develops in UT’s linebacking corps.

Adam Sparks is the Tennessee football beat reporter. Email adam.sparks@knoxnews.com. X, formerly known as Twitter@AdamSparks. Support strong local journalism by subscribing at knoxnews.com/subscribe.

Get the latest news and insight on SEC football by subscribing to the SEC Unfiltered newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox.





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Tennessee Football Misses on Major Transfer Portal Target

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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.

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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.

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

Jaquez White’s 2025 Season

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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).”

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Tennessee football DL Josh Schell enters transfer portal

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Tennessee football DL Josh Schell enters transfer portal


Tennessee defensive lineman Josh Schell has entered the transfer portal, he announced on social media on Jan. 6.

Schell had a short stint at Tennessee after transferring from Grand Valley State in April. He played all 13 games and made one tackle in the 2025 season.

Schell played more than 100 snaps, mostly on special teams. He never cracked the rotation on the defensive line.

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Schell spent three seasons at Grand Valley State, including a redshirt year, and one season at Tennessee. He has one season of eligibility remaining.

The 6-foot-4, 265-pounder is from Camden, New Jersey. His best college season was 2024 at Grand Valley State, when he played 13 games and recorded 35 tackles, three tackles for loss, two sacks, six pass breakups, three quarterback hurries, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.

He was also a pitcher on the Grand Valley State baseball game in the 2023 season.

Adam Sparks is the Tennessee football beat reporter. Email adam.sparks@knoxnews.com. X, formerly known as Twitter@AdamSparks. Support strong local journalism by subscribing at knoxnews.com/subscribe.

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Tennessee Titans head coach interview schedule takes shape

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Tennessee Titans head coach interview schedule takes shape


The Tennessee Titans’ search for their next head coach is coming into focus, and the initial interview phase is in full swing.

Following the news that Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy would be having a first virtual interview on Thursday, the dates and times for some interviews for other candidates have come out.

Multiple reports on social media indicate that Indianapolis Colts defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo will meet with Mike Borgonzi on Wednesday, followed by Nagy on Thursday. The team will then follow that up by meeting with former Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski on Saturday and former Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris on Monday.

Tennessee will also meet with interim head coach Mike McCoy, and is rumored to have interest in former Washington Commanders offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury.

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It’s an ever-changing process in Nashville. Stay up to date with all the coaching search news with us here at Titans Wire, and please sound off with your thoughts.



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