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Six Things That Stood Out for Titans in Saturday Night's Preseason Win Over the 49ers

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Six Things That Stood Out for Titans in Saturday Night's Preseason Win Over the 49ers


NASHVILLE – The Titans kicked off the preseason on Saturday night with a 17-13 win over the San Francisco 49ers.

Here’s a look at six things that stood out in the contest:

1-2 Punch in Running Game

The Titans look different without Derrick Henry in the backfield. On Saturday night, the team took the field without their workhorse of past seasons as the page officially turned. I thought the tandem of Tony Pollard and Tyjae Spears looked good vs the 49ers, however, and the Titans hope it’s a sign of things to come. Pollard carried the ball four times for 35 yards (8.8 ypc) in the contest, and Spears scored on a nifty four-yard touchdown run in the second quarter as he bounced to the outside and found the end zone. “He’s been a great brother to work with,” Spears said of Pollard. “We’re still working, and we still have a lot of things to clean up. But we’re off to a great start.”

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Levis Debut, and His Big Hit

Titans quarterback Will Levis had a chance to show off his progress in the preseason opener, and he played long enough to make a few plays. Levis completed 4-of-5 passes for 35 yards, including a 22-yard toss to receiver Calvin Ridley. Levis also managed to find the end zone. Before that scoring run: Levis took a big hit from 49ers linebacker Dee Winters on another run, as he attempted to score. My take: Levis needs to pick his battles as a runner, because the last thing the Titans want to see is Levis injured in the preseason. Levis was pleased with the performance of the first-team group, but he acknowledged he got some free advice from others after taking the hit. “I got some people telling me: It’s preseason, get down,” Levis said. “I was trying to make something happen, but I have to be smarter.”

Calvin Ridley’s Explosiveness

Ridley didn’t play much in his preseason debut, but he was in there long enough to show why the Titans went out and got him in free agency. Ridley caught a short pass from Levis across the middle, and he escaped pursuit to race 22 yards for a first down, putting his speed on display. Ridley has dazzled in training camp practices, and Titans fans got a sneak peek of what’s to come on Saturday night. “We were trying to get the ball to Calvin two or three times there,” Titans Coach Brian Callahan said. “It was good to just get Calvin going and you see just how explosive he can be with the ball in his hands.”



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Tennessee

Tennessee Football Misses on Major Transfer Portal Target

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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.

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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.

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Here is what White did in his 2025 season according to the Troy website.

Jaquez White’s 2025 Season

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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).”

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Tennessee football DL Josh Schell enters transfer portal

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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.

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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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Tennessee Titans head coach interview schedule takes shape

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Tennessee Titans head coach interview schedule takes shape


The Tennessee Titans’ search for their next head coach is coming into focus, and the initial interview phase is in full swing.

Following the news that Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy would be having a first virtual interview on Thursday, the dates and times for some interviews for other candidates have come out.

Multiple reports on social media indicate that Indianapolis Colts defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo will meet with Mike Borgonzi on Wednesday, followed by Nagy on Thursday. The team will then follow that up by meeting with former Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski on Saturday and former Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris on Monday.

Tennessee will also meet with interim head coach Mike McCoy, and is rumored to have interest in former Washington Commanders offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury.

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It’s an ever-changing process in Nashville. Stay up to date with all the coaching search news with us here at Titans Wire, and please sound off with your thoughts.



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