Tennessee
Quick Takes: Tennessee responds in a big way with a 9-3 win over LSU
Tennessee bounced back in fine fashion Saturday night as the Vols used a 6 run 8th inning to pull away from LSU for a 9-3 win to set up the rubber game in the series Sunday afternoon. Here’s four quick takes an what feels like an important win for the Vols as May arrives next week.
Tennessee’s response I — It was only natural to wonder how Tennessee would respond following the Friday night/Saturday morning 9th inning collapse. It was just out of character for the Vols. You had to go a ways to find a collapse like that in the Tony Vitello era. So how would the Vols respond.
The answer — the way you are supposed to. Tennessee no hit LSU through the first four innings and the Vols jumped out to a 3-0 lead.
Tony Vitello said early in the year, his question about this team is how would they respond to adversity. They haven’t been perfect this season, but they have been ok. They haven’t had more adversity to overcome than they had coming to the ball yard Saturday night and Tennessee responded exactly the way a championship program should.
Tennessee’s response II — Leading 3-0, Tennessee found themselves where they were on Friday and back to back LSU home runs got the Tigers back into the game 3-2 heading into the top of the 8th.
Tennessee had left 11 on base heading into the 8th frame. The Vols couldn’t get that key hit to have a big inning.
How would the Vols respond to getting punched in the mouth in the bottom of the 7th and the crowd back into the game? Tennessee responded with 6 runs.
The Vols took advantage of LSU hitting two, an intentional walk. Hunter Ensley picked up an RBI by getting plunked. Dalton Bargo brought in two on a single and Cannon Peebles put things on ice with a three blast to left field.
Marcus Phillips was brilliant minus two pitches — Tennessee had lost three straight game two’s in SEC play heading into Saturday night. The Vols had bee outscored 21-9 in those three games.
In a must have performance to give the Vols a chance to win the game and the series, Marcus Phillips delivered in a big time way. Phillips made two bad pitches out of 100. Phillips no hit the Tigers through the first four frames. He finished going 6.2 innings giving up 2 home runs and 3 total hits. Phillips had 6 strikeouts and gave up 4 walks.
Phillips worked himself out of a big jam in the fifth. LSU had first and third with one out. Phillips got a fly out to shallow right and made a great play on a bunt attempt getting the out at first to get out of the jam.
Have a day Cannon Peebles — Eric Cain wrote a good piece on Peebles and his improvement as a hitter as the switch hitting catcher has moved into the every day role behind the plate.
Peebles improved calm demeanor has showed up the last couple of weeks and it showed up in a big way Saturday night. Peeples went 2 for 3 at the plate and recorded 5 RBI’s with a base hit a three run home run and a sacrifice fly.
Peebles has 4 multi hit games in the Vols last seven outings. He’s 11 for his last 26 (.423) with 13 RBI’s and 5 HR’s.
Tennessee
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
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
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
“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
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.
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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