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Tennessee football can’t please everybody. Some wanted bigger win vs Oklahoma | Adams

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Tennessee football can’t please everybody. Some wanted bigger win vs Oklahoma | Adams


Some of my literary contributors apparently were spoiled by their team’s 3-0 start in which Tennessee football outscored its opponents 191-13. Either that or they’re just harsh critics.

They didn’t get another landslide victory against the Sooners last week, so they criticized coach Josh Heupel’s conservative play-calling in a 25-15 victory.

I’ve also gotten feedback from a few Oklahoma fans, one of whom called the Vols “cheap-shot artists.”

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Chris writes: The Oklahoma game was very alarming. UT should have won this in a runaway, but Heupel and his staff “turtled.” Someone may want to give him his “man card” back. Actually, this was about as pathetic of a top-20 win as you can get. Oklahoma will be lucky to win seven games.

My response: There’s nothing pathetic about Oklahoma’s defense. Because of that and injuries to UT’s starting offensive tackles, Heupel was smart to call a conservative game.

The game reflected how Heupel has evolved as a coach. He doesn’t have to overwhelm an opponent with a high-speed, high-scoring offense. He can win at a slower tempo and with defense as well as offense.

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Chris writes back: I agree … just got a little frustrated. But I shouldn’t have. UT is leaps and bounds above where they have been recently.

Richard writes: You guys are cheap-shot artists. No class.

Late, dirty hits. Lousy officiating.

But good for Josh, who we like.

We are not a southern state or school and it’s a mistake joining the Dixie league. How stupid by Oklahoma officials. However, we will eventually win big down in Dixie. We have more money and tradition.

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Oil my friend, oil.

My response: The Sooners have had oil pumping in their favor for quite a while but haven’t won a national title since 2000. It will take more than oil to prevail in the SEC.

Cheap shots? Lousy officiating?

Congrats on having your excuses lined up. Better have some more handy when you play Texas.

Sam writes: Tennessee won the game. That’s good, but its overall performance was marginal against a totally inept Oklahoma offense.

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Nico didn’t look like a Heisman Trophy candidate to me. I’ll give him a C+.

Except for the last two minutes of the game, it was a boring game. Except for Alabama and Georgia, the rest of season will be easy.

My response: The Sooners offense has struggled, in part, because of a rash of injuries in the line and receiving corps. But Oklahoma has a talented defense, and coach Brent Venables is an exceptional defensive coach.

That and Heupel’s conservative play-calling factored into Iamaleava’s pedestrian stats – 13 of 21 passing for 194 yards and one touchdown. For the season, he has completed 69.3% of his passes for 892 yards and seven touchdowns. Stats like that won’t make him a Heisman finalist.

Iamaleava easily could have better stats if he had played more in Tennessee’s three lopsided victories. But the Vols aren’t trying to win a Heisman. They’re trying to win a national championship.

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And Iamaleava is impressing the right people. NFL scouts had to be wowed by several of the throws he made against Oklahoma.

Terry writes: A rude and appropriate welcoming to the SEC for the team from Oklahoma.  An impressive performance on the road from the Vols.

Obviously, the UT defense was stout again this weekend, and the Big Orange Heup train shoved the Schooner into the L-column ditch.  With the Stoops connection at yet another SEC program (Mark Stoops at Kentucky), and Coach Heup’s undefeated record against both, can we safely assume him to be the Stoops’ new Daddy figure? 

My response: You might be on to something. As a head coach, Bob Stoops won one national title with Josh Heupel, and none without him.

Mark Stoops’ next national title as a head coach will be his first.

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Colorado Mark writes: Brent Venables has officially replaced Mike Elko (Jeremy Pruitt II) as the dumbest coach in the SEC, and I am sure Jackson Arnold will agree. 

ADAMS: Tennessee football is more than a playoff contender after turning back Oklahoma

OU is in big trouble with that offensive line. Good luck in the SEC. Cue the ‘fire Venable’ crowd. He just met the Peter Principle face to face.

My response: I’m sure Florida fans would trade Billy Napier for either one of your “dumb coaches.”

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 Football DB Transfer Boo Carter Visits the Vols Rival

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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”

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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
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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.

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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

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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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