Tennessee

Josh Heupel: Tennessee will be ready for cold weather at Ohio State in CFP game

Published

1 year ago

December 8, 2024

Josh Heupel: Tennessee will be ready for cold weather at Ohio State in CFP game

Josh Heupel said his Tennessee football team is ready to play in cold conditions at Ohio State in a College Football Playoff game.

That’s easy for him to say.

Heupel grew up in South Dakota. And he routinely wears shorts to the Vols’ outdoor practices, even in November and December.

But cold temperatures are already a storyline for when No. 9 seed Tennessee (10-2) plays No. 8 seed Ohio State (10-2) in a first-round game on Dec. 21 (8 p.m. ET, ABC/ESPN) in Columbus, Ohio.

On Sunday, Heupel was asked during ESPN’s “College Football Playoff Selection Show” about his Vols playing in cold conditions.

“Yeah, you know a week ago we played in 30-degree weather (at Vanderbilt),” Heupel said. “This isn’t the Deep South. We get some colder weather. We practice in the mornings. We’ll be outside during the course of our preparation.

“We’ll be ready to handle the elements when we get up to Columbus, Ohio.”

On Nov. 30, Tennessee won 36-23 at Vanderbilt in its regular-season finale. It was 41 degrees and sunny at kickoff, but temperatures dipped into the low-30s by the end of the game.

Columbus, Ohio has a colder climate than what Tennessee is accustomed to playing in for SEC games. However, it’s not that different.

For example, when the CFP bracket was announced on Sunday afternoon, it was 55 degrees in Knoxville and 51 degrees in Columbus. The wind chill likely will challenge the Vols the most.

Expect the questions about cold weather to focus on quarterback Nico Iamaleava, a native of Long Beach, California.

74 years ago, Tennessee won big game in single-digit temperatures

By the way, don’t expect this game to break the record for coldest Tennessee football game.

On Nov. 25, 1950, Tennessee beat Kentucky 7-0 in single-digit temperatures in Knoxville.

About 45,000 fans braved frigid conditions at Shields-Watkins Field. Knoxville hit a record low of 12 degrees the day before the game. It dropped to 5 degrees hours before kickoff, which still stands as the coldest November day recorded in Knoxville.

Snow was shoveled off the field, but the game was still sloppy. The teams combined for 20 punts, 18 turnovers and only 17 first downs in the Vols’ 7-0 win.

Tennessee won a share of the national title that season with an 11-1 record, including a 20-14 win over Texas in the Cotton Bowl.

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

Tennessee Football Misses on Major Transfer Portal Target

Published

8 hours 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).”

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Tennessee

Tennessee football DL Josh Schell enters transfer portal

Published

20 hours ago

January 7, 2026

Press Room

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.

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.

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Tennessee Titans head coach interview schedule takes shape

Published

1 day ago

January 6, 2026

Press Room

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.

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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