Tennessee
Man wanted in Tennessee murder staged as bear attack has been captured, authorities say
The man who sparked a nationwide search after he allegedly staged a hiker’s murder as a bear attack in the Tennessee woodlands has been found and taken into custody, law enforcement said.
The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office of Tennessee shared that law enforcement in Columbia, South Carolina, had found Nicholas Wayne Hamlett and took him into custody on Sunday night after he was recognized at a local hospital. The FBI was able to confirm his identity by verifying his fingerprints.
Hamlett is currently facing first-degree murder charges out of Tennessee and a parole violation out of Alabama, the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office said.
In mid-October, 34-year-old Steven Douglas Lloyd of Knoxville was found dead in a staged bear attack that was allegedly linked to Hamlett.
The murder of Steven Lloyd
Just before 11:35 p.m. on Oct. 18, the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office received a transferred call from nearby Polk County about a distressed hiker named “Brandon Andrade” who told dispatchers that he had “fallen off a cliff while running from a bear,” and that he was injured and partially in the water.
Authorities were then able to pinpoint the man’s location in the area of the Charles Hall Bridge on the Cherahola Skyway in Tellico Plains, at least 80 miles northwest of Chattanooga.
When emergency personnel and search and rescue crews arrived, they found a dead man with Andrade’s ID on him and brought the body to the Knox County Regional Forensic Center.
After reviewing the scene, detectives then learned that the dead man was not Andrade and that the ID “had been stolen and used on multiple occasions.” The dead man they had found was Lloyd.
Additionally, they learned that Hamlett had been using Andrade’s ID and that he was wanted out of Alabama on a parole violation. Authorities had then determined that Hamlett had used a fake name when calling dispatch after the distress call and that he was believed to have fled his Tennessee home before his identity was verified.
While speaking to Lloyd’s family, the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office learned that he was a foster child who had suffered from trust issues and had been diagnosed with reactive attachment disorder, a condition that makes it difficult to establish healthy relationships with parents and caregivers.
At some point before his death, the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office believed that Hamlett had met Lloyd, “befriended him, and lured him into a wooded area to take Steven’s life and his identity.”
Reports said that Hamlett had ties to Tennessee, Montana, Alabama, Alaska, Kentucky, North Carolina and Florida, and he was believed to be have been armed and dangerous throughout the manhunt.
Tennessee
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!
Tennessee
SEC transfer defender sets visit to Florida State
Tennessee transfer defensive lineman Jayson Jenkins set a visit to Florida State, his agents at A&P Sports Agency told CBS Sports. He will head to Tallahassee on Jan. 2.
Jenkins officially entered the transfer portal Thursday after announcing his plans to do so earlier this week. He spent three years with the Volunteers and appeared in all 13 games this past season before hitting the open market.
Jenkins totaled nine tackles in 2024, including four tackles for loss and a sack. That came after six appearances in 2023 with four total tackles as a sophomore. He will have two years of eligibility remaining.
To keep up with the latest players on the move, check out On3’s Transfer Portal wire.
The On3 Transfer Portal Instagram account and X account are excellent resources to stay up to date with the latest moves.
Jayson Jenkins played high school football at Trenton (N.J.) Notre Dame, where he was. three-star prospect. He was the No. 1,066 overall player and No. 22-ranked player in the state from the 2022 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.
Florida State is once again active in the transfer market as it looks to rebound from a two-win season in 2024. The Seminoles currently have 10 commits from the portal so far this cycle, headlined by former USC wide receiver Duce Robinson – the No. 6 overall player and No. 5-ranked player in the On3 Industry Transfer Rankings. Robinson spent two years with the Trojans, totaling 747 yards and seven touchdowns during that time.
Another notable addition came at quarterback. Former Boston College is also on his way to Tallahassee, reuniting him with Gus Malzahn. The two were together at UCF in 2022, providing familiarity as Malzahn takes over as Florida State’s offensive coordinator.
Castellanos put together a standout 2023 season at Boston College, totaling 2,248 yards and 15 touchdowns in the air while adding 1,113 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns on the ground. This past year, his numbers dropped following a coaching change and injuries. He threw for 1,366 yards along with a career-high 18 touchdowns in eight games.
FSU’s group of portal additions ranks No. 8, according to the On3 Team Transfer Portal Index. It appears Mike Norvell and Co. aren’t quite done yet, though, as they line up more visits.
Tennessee
Tennessee Titans at Jacksonville Jaguars Prediction: Odds, Best Bets, Player News, Injuries, & Stats for Week 17
Tennessee Titans at Jacksonville Jaguars Preview:
The 3-12 Tennessee Titans are on a four-game losing streak, but they hope to snap it and avenge their early December loss when they head to Jacksonville to take on the 3-12 Jaguars.
Neither team has met expectations this season. Both have had their share of quarterback inconsistencies and injuries. In the first meeting between the two, only 16 points were scored. The Jaguars won that game, 10-6.
Since Doug Pederson took over as head coach, the Jaguars have beaten the Titans four of the last five times they have played. A win this weekend would make it the Jaguars’ second sweep in the last three seasons.
Despite both teams’ horrid seasons, they should see a little optimism as the season ends. They are both in contention for a top-five draft pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Listen to the Bet the Edge podcast as hosts Jay Croucher and Drew Dinsick provide listeners with sharp actionable insight, market analysis and statistical data to help bettors gain more information before placing their wagers. So, whether you’re targeting spreads and totals, looking for value in futures markets or circling player props, give their podcast a listen to give you that extra edge.
How to Watch Tennessee Titans at Jacksonville Jaguars Live on Sunday:
- Date: Sunday, December 29th, 2024
- Time: 1:00 PM ET
- Site: TIAA Bank Field
- City: Jacksonville, FL
- TV/Streaming: CBS
Latest Game Odds for Titans at Jaguars – Week 17:
The latest odds as of Thursday morning courtesy of DraftKings:
- Moneyline: Tennessee Titans (-110), Jacksonville Jaguars (-110)
- Spread: Titans -1
- Total: 39.5
NBC Sports Bet Best Bets:
NBC Sports analyst Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas) recommends betting on Calvin Ridley over 60.5 receiving yards…
Thomas: “The Titans haven’t been the best team through the air. Will Levis has struggled with consistency; he’s thrown 12 interceptions and just 12 touchdowns. However, the Jaguars love giving up big chunk plays to the wide receivers. Only two teams give up more receiving yards to wide receivers: the Vikings and the Lions.
When the two played earlier in the season, Calvin Ridley was targeted 12 times. He was able to haul in seven of those targets but fell short of the 60.5 mark. I think this week is different. He probably sees a few more deep shots with nothing to lose, which he should capitalize on.”
Titans at Jaguars Team Stats, Betting Trends:
- The Titans have failed to cover in 6 of their 8 road games this season
- The Jaguars have lost 9 of 12 games this season following a defeat
- 5 of the Titans’ last 7 games (71%) have gone over the Total
Quarterback Matchup for Titans at Jaguars:
- Titans: Will Levis – The Will Levis Experiment has not gone as planned for the Titans. He’s yet to make the big leap. This season, his 12 interceptions are more concerning than his lack of big numbers. Ball security should be a point of emphasis in the offseason as he grows to be a better quarterback.
- Jaguars: Mac Jones – Jones has been under center with Trevor Lawrence on the IR. The only win he’s had under center this season was against the Titans in Week 14.
Player News & Injuries:
Titans:
- K Nick Folk (abdomen) is questionable
- RB Tony Pollard (ankle) is questionable
- WR Tyler Boyd (foot) is questionable
- LB Kenneth Murray Jr is on the IR
Jaguars:
- TE Brenton Strange (shoulder) is questionable
- DT DaVon Hamilton (illness) is questionable
- G Brandon Scherff (knee) is questionable
- G Ezra Cleveland (knee) is questionable
- OT Walker Little (ankle) is OUT
Rotoworld still has you covered with all the latest and tools for the NFL, including game predictions, player props, futures, and trends!
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