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On3 expert predicts Auburn will flip three-star lineman from Tennessee

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On3 expert predicts Auburn will flip three-star lineman from Tennessee


The Auburn Tigers may be flipping another recruit from an SEC rival.

Three-star defensive lineman and Tennessee commit darrion smith was on the Plains for Auburn’s thrilling win over No. 19 Texas A&M on Saturday, and he described the visit as “one of the best college visits I have had.”

The Baltimore, Maryland native went on the describe the atmosphere within Jordan-Hare stadium during the Tigers four overtime victory in a recent interview with On3.

“The game, I don’t even know what type of words to put it in,” Smith said. “It was a thriller. It was definitely the craziest game I have been to so far.”

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A consensus top 12 prospect from the state of Maryland, Smith committed to the Tennessee Volunteers in July of this year. That hasn’t stopped the high school senior from touring campuses across the country, and On3 expert Cole Pinkston felt confident enough after Smith’s latest visit to predict a flip to Auburn with “60 percent confidence.”

While Smith won’t make his official decision until early December, the Tigers seem like the likely favorite after last weekend, especially after the love the three-star recruit received from the Auburn family.

“The family, how close everybody is. Not even just the coaches, but the town,” said Smith. “People were just coming up to me. It’s different. I’ve never had that before. It’s definitely very family oriented.”

If Auburn can flip the talented pass-rusher, Hugh Freeze and his staff would improve on what already is a top-five recruiting class in the nation. With plenty of other recruits up in the air, it is feasible the Tigers could end the signing period with one of their best recruiting classes in program history.

Contact/Follow us @TheAuburnWire on  X (Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Auburn news, notes, and opinion. You can also follow Brian on Twitter @TheRealBHauch

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Remembering one of Middle Tennessee’s largest tornado outbreaks 4 years later

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Remembering one of Middle Tennessee’s largest tornado outbreaks 4 years later


NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Four years ago, Middle Tennessee and Southern Kentucky were impacted by one of the largest tornado outbreaks on record. On Dec. 10 and 11, 2021, a tornado outbreak impacted areas from Arkansas and Missouri all the way into northern Indiana and Ohio. There was a total of 66 tornadoes; 16 of […]



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Tracking Music City Bowl opt outs for Tennessee and Illinois

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Tracking Music City Bowl opt outs for Tennessee and Illinois


Tracking the opt outs for both Tennessee and Illinois before the Music City Bowl on December 30 (5:30 p.m. Eastern Time, ESPN) at Nissan Stadium in Nashville:

Tennessee

Linebacker Arion Carter: Carter over the last seasons had 96 tackles, 13.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks in 31 career games. He had a team-high 76 tackles this season, with 6.0 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks while appearing in 10 games. He missed two games and was limited against Oklahoma in November while dealing with turf toe injuries. Carter had 68 tackles and 6.5 tackles for loss in 13 games last season and 17 tackles and 1.0 tackles for loss in eight games as a freshman in 2023. 

Wide Receiver Chris Brazzell II: He a breakout senior season in his second year with the Vols, catching 62 passes for 1,017 yards and nine touchdowns. He had 19 catches for 333 yards and two touchdowns in 2024, after transferring from Tulane. In 15 games at Tulane he caught 45 passes for 722 yards and five touchdowns. Brazzell is ranked No. 7 at wide receiver on Mel Kiper Jr.’s NFL Draft Big Board. He’s ranked No. 34 overall on ESPN’s list of the best available prospects in the draft.

Cornerback Jermod McCoy: Did not play this season after tearing his ACL during offseason training in January. He was a star last season with 44 tackles, nine passes defended and four interceptions. He had 31 tackles and two interceptions in 12 games as a freshman at Oregon State before transferring to Tennessee. 

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Illinois

Offensive Tackle J.C. Davis: Bret Bielema said the Illinois starting left tackle is opting out of the Music City Bowl. He was an All-Big Ten First Team pick by the league coaches this season and the No. 3 left tackle this season according to Pro Football Focus grades. He had made 49 straight starts before opting out of the bowl game.

EDGE Gabe Jacas: The Illinois outside linebacker declared for the NFL Draft on Friday night. He led the Big Ten this season with 11.0 sacks. He had 13.5 tackles for loss and 43 total tackles in 12 games this season. He finishes second in Illinois program history for career sacks, with 27.0, trailing only Simeon Rice. Jacas had 74 tackles, 8.0 sacks and 13.0 tackles for loss last season, after combining for 8.0 sacks and 9.0 tackles for loss in his first two seasons at Illinois.



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More than 8,500 layoffs hit Tennessee in 2025, nearly 19% increase from 2024

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More than 8,500 layoffs hit Tennessee in 2025, nearly 19% increase from 2024


Tennessee employers laid off more than 8,500 workers in 2025 compared to 7,320 last year, according to the Tennessee Department of Labor & Workforce Development.

This is about a 19% increase in layoffs, with WARN notices impacting 8,691 Tennesseans to date. As of 2023, 5,168 Tennessee workers were laid off through WARN notices.

Counties in Middle Tennessee impacted include:

  • Davidson
  • Sumner
  • Maury
  • Rutherford
  • Williamson
  • Wilson
  • Coffee
  • DeKalb
  • Bedford
  • Lawrence
  • Putnam

The largest layoff this year was in Maury County. Come January, 710 employees will be laid off from GM Ultium Cells’ Spring Hill facility. Research Assistant Professor at the University of Tennessee Knoxville Michael Kofoed tells FOX 17 News that the facility is is likely impacted by the rise on steel tariffs ruled out by the Trump administration. He adds steel tariffs raise input costs for employers which directly impacts employees’ salary or employment.

The second largest layoff impacted 658 workers at Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, LLC in Rutherford County with 615 workers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center permanently laid off. WARN notices are reports a company is required to file with the state to give workers time to find future employment.

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Kofoed states that Tennessee is seeing a troubling trend, with layoffs skyrocketing since 2023.

“That is a very big and concerning number,” Kofoed said.

According to CNBC, more than 1.1 million U.S. employees were laid off this year, the highest 11-month total since 2020.



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