Tennessee

Readers follow Donde Plowman’s lead in NCAA critiques of Tennessee investigation. How is Roman Empire doing?

Published

2 years ago

February 7, 2024

Nothing much was going on in Tennessee sports last week. Nonetheless, my literary contributors were still inspired enough to write.

You would never guess what was on their mind. So, read on.

Vols Mark writes: The NCAA is a bully; what a waste of money, time, and resources. Like the states of Tennessee and Virginia, joining in a lawsuit against the NCAA, all Division I schools, or at least the Power 5, should collectively join forces in a class-action lawsuit against the NCAA.

If they don’t stand together, they will be subject to individual persecution. We may be witnessing the ‘decline and fall’ of the NCAA empire. Quoting Gibbon’s “The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire”: “As long as the Coliseum stands, Rome shall stand; when the Coliseum falls, Rome will fall; when Rome falls, the world will fall.”

Charlie Daniels, rosin up your bow and get your heavenly fiddle ready; something is about to burn.

My response: Congratulations. You just set a record for my email column.

You are the first literary contributor to mention the Roman Empire and Charlie Daniels in the same message. That’s hall of fame stuff.

Terry writes: As we all know, Donde opened a can of whoop a– on the NCAA and its President. I would love to split a couple of cold pitchers with her over some wings and conversation.

One wish would be to see Donde and Danny White replace those two people on the AFLAC commercials (i.e. the Goat and the Wannabe). They would be awesome in the commercials.

The background would be that annoying duck perched on a set of goalposts in the Tennessee River. Kiffin could be filing a workman’s comp claim with a golf ball indention on his oily forehead.

Great articles on Donde and her earth scorching. She has no doubt disrespected (NCAA president) Charlie Baker (deservedly so). I think it’s safe to say he got Plowed-man.

My response: I wish all of my literary contributors put as much effort into their emails as you do. Nonetheless, I don’t see UT chancellor Donde Plowman joining you for beer and wings.

And in case you’re wondering, I’m already booked up for 2024 on “socializing with literary contributors.”

Good luck getting UT’s chancellor to drink beer and eat wings with you, Terry.

David writes: I live in Lufkin, and the restaurant you mentioned had to be Ralph and Kacoos. I enjoy your work.

My response: I never know who might be reading my column. But I was surprised to hear from a UT fan in Lufkin, Texas, who had no problem recognizing the targeted restaurant in my less than favorable review while traveling from South Padre Island back to Knoxville.

Bonner: If Donde Plowman decides to become a televangelist, I will be tuning in and I promise to mail in my offering.

My response: Amen.

Kevin writes: Great article. I was saying the same thing as you inferred in your conclusion, Tennessee should sue NCAA. Big bucks too like dominion voting systems sued conservatives billions for slander and defamation.

My response: The NCAA won’t win an NIL case in court.

Jane calls: I read your column all the time and wish you would tell me what “NIL” means. I’ve read it several times in your columns.

My response: I spell it out sometimes, but it has become so common in our sports lexicon that I often just use the initials. We once wrote “Southeastern Conference,” too. But it was used so frequently, we began referring to it as the “SEC.”

For the past three years, the NCAA – reacting to a court decision – has allowed student-athletes to profit off their name, image and likeness. With that, NIL was born. And it has been causing confusion ever since.

I apologize for adding to the confusion.

Brooks writes: Tennessee’s loss to South Carolina last week said a lot. Title contenders do not lose to unranked teams, on their home floor, having only played one game in the previous 10 days.

They’ve managed to turn it into the Knecht Show. Stand around, he’ll bail us out. See UT football ‘97. The players at the time said that much about Peyton.

My response: Tennessee looked tired in the South Carolina game for some reason. But the loss also speaks volumes of what the Gamecocks have become under coach Lamont Paris.

Dalton Knecht is one of the best players in the country and one of UT’s all-time best players. He’s talented enough to help change Tennessee’s postseason fortunes.

Chris writes: John Calipari and Rick Barnes are the most overpaid coaches in the NCAA. If Barnes can’t get this team to the Final Four … well then, he can’t get any team there.

ADAMS: Imagine the joy of having Tennessee chancellor Donde Plowman write your emails

My response: The Vols have faltered so many times in the postseason, it’s hard for fans to be optimistic about March Madness. But since Barnes has been at UT, he’s never had a player with as much offensive talent as Knecht.

And offense is what the Vols so often lack in the NCAA Tournament.

John Adams is a senior columnist. He may be reached at 865-342-6284 or john.adams@knoxnews.com. Follow him at: twitter.com/johnadamskns.

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Tennessee

Former Tennessee Football Legend Accepts SEC Coaching Gig

Published

7 hours ago

January 8, 2026

Press Room

Former Tennessee Football Legend Accepts SEC Coaching Gig

The Tennessee Volunteers have been one of the main teams when it comes to producing talent and sending talent to the NFL, which is something that has often been discovered as a standard for the football program. This is something that has been going on for quite some time and isn’t anything new to the news cycle, as the Vols have been able to produce plenty of talented prospects.

Tennessee is the home of many stars, including some of the best defensive players in SEC history. Guys like Eric Berry have found their way through the Tennessee program and onto the NFL, where they would have legendary careers. However, the defensive side of the football is the only side that has produced plenty of talent, as Tennessee has produced a lot of offensive talent as well. With the likes of Peyton Manning and company, the Vols have shown a great track record in getting talent drafted.

The Vols have produced someone who could be considered as one of the best players to play the Tide end position, as the Knoxville, Tennessee program is the home to Dallas Cowboys legend, Jason Witten. Witten is someone who made the most of his career and has been viewed as a top player at the Tide in position, and someone who is often referred to as a legend for the Cowboys, along with being a legend in the game of football as a whole.

Jason Witten Accepts TE Coach Position For Oklahoma

Oct 10, 2010; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys tight end Jason Witten (82) on the phone in the bench area in the fourth quarter against the Tennessee Titans at Cowboys Stadium. The Titans beat the Cowboys 34-27. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-Imagn Images | Matthew Emmons-Imagn Images

Witten is now taking a new gig, which has him in a huge role inside the Southeastern Conference. The Vols legend is now the tight end coach for the Oklahoma Sooners. The Sooners have had some success out of their tight ends in the past, but the sky is the limit with a guy like Witten coaching up the players. Witten has the opportunity to do really well, as coaching tight ends won’t be an issue, and you have to imagine that he will be able to recruit very well, considering he has a huge name around him, as this is something that we have seen from positional coaches as well as head coaches who have done great work in the league. You have to imagine that the Vols will now have stiff competition for his son, Cooper, who is a five-star recruit for the upcoming 2027 class at the linebacker position.

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Tennessee Football DB Transfer Boo Carter Visits the Vols Rival

Published

19 hours ago

January 8, 2026

Press Room

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

Tennessee defensive back Boo Carter (23) pulls on his jersey during Tennessee football preseason practice, in Knoxville, Tennessee, Aug. 6, 2025. | Angelina Alcantar/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

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 Football Misses on Major Transfer Portal Target

Published

1 day 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).”