Tennessee
Secondary stifles red zone passing, plus 3 more takeaways from Tennessee Titans practice
Receiver Tyler Boyd, linebacker Jack Gibbens and safety Amani Hooker were among the Tennessee Titans who made impressive plays in confined spaces for their second mandatory minicamp practice of the offseason.
Red zone pass plays were the focus of the Titans’ 7-on-7 team session at the end of Wednesday’s practice. Quarterback Will Levis only completed 3 of his 8 pass attempts with two scrambles on 10 reps, finding Boyd and running back Tony Pollard for touchdowns but also throwing an interception to Gibbens and having a pass batted away by Hooker trying to fit passes into tight spaces. Three of Levis’ incompletions came when trying to connect with receivers in the back corners of the end zone, a feat he was never able to accomplish against a stingy defense.
Levis’ touchdown to Boyd came on an impressive route where he deked linebacker Chance Campbell to the outside before crashing inside on a slant route and coasting into the end zone.
Backup quarterbacks Mason Rudolph and Malik Willis fared a little better in their red zone reps, throwing five touchdowns on 10 attempts, though Rudolph also had a pass batted away in traffic and Willis fired a short throw a little too hard into traffic and it was nearly intercepted.
Here are three more quick observations from Wednesday’s minicamp.
Absences, limitations pile up
Cornerbacks L’Jarius Sneed and Chidobe Awuzie, two of the Titans’ key offseason acquisitions, were both on the field but not involved in team activities, making some of the successes in the cornerback room all the more impressive. Receiver Calvin Ridley dealt with similar circumstances, dressing out and walking through some drills but not participating in team periods. Ridley grabbed at his shoulder after diving for an errant pass Tuesday but continued practicing without limitation after the incident.
Defensive tackles Jeffery Simmons and T’Vondre Sweat were once again absent from on-field activities, continuing a trend that’s persisted since the start of OTAs.
Special teams notes
Wednesday was the first time the Titans practiced kickoff returns during a media viewing period this summer. Eight players lined up as potential options to return under the league’s new kickoff rules: running backs Pollard, Tyjae Spears and Jabari Small, receivers Burks, Kyle Philips, Mason Kinsey and Jha’Quan Jackson and cornerback Eric Garror.
Undrafted free agent kicker Brayden Narveson showed off his leg strength by nailing a kick from more than 50 yards out, but missed a shorter kick wide enough to somehow not hit the netting behind the goal post and land in the lake overlooking the practice field.
ESTES: Treylon Burks’ goal for this Tennessee Titans season is as simple as it is telling
A little bit of scene setting
Temperatures were up in the low 80s, but it didn’t seem to faze Ridley, DeAndre Hopkins or rookie tackle JC Latham, all of whom wore long sleeves under their pads, with Hopkins and Latham wearing hooded sweatshirts.
Several players and entire position groups hung around the field after practice to get some extra work in. Levis stuck around to throw some end zone passes, with running back Hassan Haskins catching for him. A gaggle of five defensive backs stayed outside longer than any Titans, with Sneed leading the group inside roughly 35 minutes after the final practice whistle blew.
Nick Suss is the Titans beat writer for The Tennessean. Contact Nick at nsuss@gannett.com. Follow Nick on X, the platform formerly called Twitter, @nicksuss.
Tennessee
2027 Georgia defensive back commits to Tennessee football
Tennessee is recruiting toward its 2027 football signing class.
Three-star defensive back Carter Jamison committed to Tennessee, according to Chad Simmons of On3.
The 5-foot-10, 180-pound prospect is from Creekside High School in Fairburn, Georgia. Former Vols Eric Berry, Evan Berry and Elliott Berry are also from Creekside.
247Sports ranks Jamison as the No. 101 safety in the class and No. 115 player in Georgia.
Tennessee was the first school to offer him a scholarship on Feb. 17. The 2027 prospect unofficially visited the Vols for a spring practice on April 2 and will officially visit Tennessee on June 19.
Other schools to offer Jamison scholarships include USF, Charlotte, UNLV, Western Michigan, Liberty, Colorado State, Eastern Kentucky and East Carolina.
Tennessee has six other commitments in its 2027 football recruiting class: linebacker JP Peace, offensive tackle Princeton Uwaifo, defensive lineman Kadin Fife, quarterback Derrick Baker, athlete Jaden Butler and wide receiver KeSean Bowman.
Follow Vols Wire on Facebook and X (formerly Twitter).
Tennessee
Tennessee calls special session to redistrict maps at behest of Trump
At the behest of President Donald Trump, Tennessee’s Republican supermajority is returning to Nashville next week to redraw the state’s congressional maps, carving Memphis into multiple safe-Republican seats.
The session is made possible by the Supreme Court’s decision ending protections in the Voting Rights Act, made April 29.
Gov. Bill Lee issued a call for a special legislative session to approve new redistricting maps on the evening of May 1, one day after Trump announced on social media that Lee had promised to do so.
Lawmakers will return to Nashville on May 5.
“We owe it to Tennesseans to ensure our congressional districts accurately reflect the will of Tennessee voters,” Lee said.“After consultation with the Lt. Governor, Speaker of the House, Attorney General, and Secretary of State, I believe the General Assembly has a responsibility to review the map and ensure it remains fair, legal, and defensible.”
Once in Nashville, the Republican supermajority legislature will have the votes to crack Memphis and draw nine new safe-Republican congressional seats in Tennessee and eliminate the last remaining Democrat-held seat.
Candidates are already campaigning in the 9th Congressional District — which will likely be redrawn during the special session. Incumbent U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen, D-Memphis, and state Rep. Justin Pearson, D-Memphis, have both gathered and filed qualifying signatures and have been actively campaigning.
Redrawing maps would suspend those campaigns and require candidates in every congressional district to gather new signatures and re-qualify for their races.
“Donald Trump wants an extra seat. And he wants to get it by directing how the districts are drawn and to say they should not be drawn as they are now — they should be drawn the way he wants to draw them to give him the vote,” Cohen said on May 1.
“Civil rights are being attacked through this Supreme Court case. It’s taking away potentially a goodly half of African American and African American-chosen representation in the United States Congress,” Cohen said, pledging to launch a legal fight.
Lee’s call came hours after Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey called a special session to redraw the maps there, as predominantly Republican Southern states begin to take political advantage of the Supreme Court’s decision to roll back protections for Black voters in the Voting Rights Act.
Tennessee
Heading to the the Tennessee Renaissance Festival? What to know
Electric Avenue robot parade brings silly fun to East Nashville
Dozens of robots of various shapes and sizes took over East Nashville on April 11 as part of the annual Electric Avenue Robot Parade.
Planning to head to the 40th annual Tennessee Renaissance Festival? Here’s what you should know before going.
Hours of operation
Open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., the Volunteer State’s blast into the 16th century will be held every Saturday and Sunday during May. Adult tickets purchased in advance start at $28.
Parking
Parking waits can build up at the renaissance fair, where parking is free with admission. Peak traffic times are expected between 10 a.m. through 2 p.m., according to the event’s website tnrenfest.com.
Located in a “grassy field,” parking lots operate on a first come, first serve basis and open at 8 a.m. each day. No RVs or trailers are allowed.
Sheriff’s deputies and parking attendants will be on the grounds to help patrons park “as quickly and safely as possible,” the event states.
What if it rains?
The Tennessee Renaissance Festival will operate rain or shine, but some of the experiences may be limited during inclement weather.
“Depending on weather patterns, festival operations may be suspended, and patrons may be asked to shelter in place in their personal vehicle in the parking lot until weather conditions improve and the grounds are cleared to resume operations,” the website states.
Join the safety notification system by texting TNRENFEST to 888-777.
Are weapons allowed?
While firearms and prop guns are prohibited, all swords, daggers, bows and arrows, maces and other weapons are allowed but must be peace-tied.
Additionally, patrons purchasing or bringing bladed weapons must always have the sword sheathed and secured with a cable. Arrows are required to have their tips removed and be secured within a quiver or a case.
Will there be alcohol?
There will not be alcohol sold at this event.
Be prepared for spotty cell service
Due to the remote location of the festival, cell service may be limited, according to the website. The festival’s administrators recommend downloading, screenshotting or printing your ticket, or adding it to your e-wallet.
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