Tennessee
Tennessee Super Bowl 58 ties include Christian McCaffrey’s uncle who played at Vanderbilt
San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey’s uncle Billy was a star basketball player at Vanderbilt, and Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes’ father was a pitcher for the Nashville Sounds.
San Francisco tight end George Kittle lives in Nashville on a property where he built his own golf course in the backyard, and the 49ers’ Charvarius Ward, who played at Middle Tennessee State, is an All-Pro second team cornerback who played in two previous Super Bowls with the Chiefs.
Those are a few of the local ties entering Super Bowl 58 on Sunday (5:30 p.m., CBS). Here’s a more detailed list:
Kansas City Chiefs
• Izaiah Gathings, tight end on the practice squad (MTSU): Gathings signed with the New York Jets as an undrafted free agent in May. He signed with the Chiefs in July but was waived before the season. He re-signed with the Chiefs on Dec. 20.
• Darius Harris, LB, (MTSU): Harris, who already has two Super Bowl rings with the Chiefs, was signed off the practice squad in December. He has seen action in five games this season.
• Richie James, WR, (MTSU): James has 11 receptions for 114 yards. He is averaging 20.8 yards on nine kickoff returns and 10 yards on 20 punt returns.
• Patrick Mahomes II, quarterback: Mahomes’ father, Pat Mahomes Sr., pitched for the Sounds in 2003 and 2004. The younger Mahomes was 7 in 2003. His father posted a combined record of 10-8 and struck out 59 batters in two seasons with the Sounds.
• Pat Sperduto, co-director of college scouting (Nashville Kats coach and Titans assistant): Sperduto was the coach of the Arena Football League’s Nashville Kats from 1999-2001 and again from 2005-07. He also was on the Titans’ coaching and scouting staffs (2001-08).
• Trey Smith, OG, (Tennessee): Smith has made 50 career starts and is his third season with the Chiefs.
San Francisco 49ers
• Oren Burks, LB (Vanderbilt): In his sixth NFL season, Burks has made five starts and recorded 46 tackles with one sack and one interception.
• James Cregg, assistant offensive line coach (Tennessee offensive line coach): Cregg spent the 2009 season as UT’s offensive line coach under Lane Kiffin. The Vols allowed just 12 sacks that season, tied for fewest in the SEC.
• Jauan Jennings, WR (Tennessee; Blackman): Jennings has 25 catches for 334 yards and one touchdown in his third season with the 49ers.
• George Kittle, TE (lives in Green Hills on a 75-acre property that includes a golf course and fitness center): 49ers’ third-leading receiver with 71 catches for 1,128 yards and seven touchdowns.
• Christian McCaffrey, RB (uncle Billy McCaffrey played basketball at Vanderbilt): Billy McCaffrey, whose older brother Ed is Christian’s father, played two seasons (1992-94) at Vanderbilt after transferring from Duke. Billy averaged more than 20 points per game in both seasons at Vanderbilt and led the Commodores to the 1993 SEC championship and the NCAA Sweet 16.
• Charvarius Ward, CB (MTSU): Ward is playing in his third Super Bowl. His first two were with the Chiefs. Ward was named All-Pro second team and to the Pro Bowl this season. He has 46 tackles, five interceptions, 23 pass breakups and a forced fumble.
Former Titan Terry Killens will officiate Super Bowl
Another local tie in the Super Bowl will be former Tennessee Titans linebacker Terry Killens, who will become the first person to play in and officiate a Super Bowl.
Killens, 49, played five seasons (1996-2001) with the Titans, including their appearance in Super Bowl 34 against the St. Louis Rams.
Killens started officiating in the NFL in 2019. He will work his first Super Bowl as an umpire.
Lissa Bradford entering Tennessee Golf Hall of Fame
Former Harpeth Hall golfer and Belmont coach Lissa Bradford is part of the 2024 Tennessee Golf Hall of Fame class.
Bradford won the 1981 TSSAA state championship and played at Alabama, where she served as captain from 1984-86. Bradford won two Tennessee Women’s Amateur championships (1983 and1985) and qualified for the U.S. Women’s Amateur in 1983.
She began her career as assistant pro at Springhouse Golf Club at Opryland and Belle Meade Country Club. She has served as senior director of Junior Golf for the Tennessee Golf Foundation at Golf House Tennessee since 1995.
Bradford also served as Belmont’s women’s golf coach from 2001-20.
Retired Herald-Citizen sports editor Frank Layne dies
Longtime Cookeville Herald-Citizen newspaper sports writer Frank Layne died on Feb. 2.
After serving as equipment manager for the Tennessee Tech football and baseball teams, Layne graduated from Tech in 1961 and became Cookeville’s first full-time recreation director,
After leaving town for several years, Layne returned in 1970 to cover local sports, including Tennessee Tech for The Herald-Citizen. He retired in 2000. In 2019, he was honored by the Ohio Valley Conference with its inaugural media lifetime achievement award.
Nashville Sounds single-game tickets on sale
Nashville Sounds single game tickets for the 2024 season are now on sale.
The Sounds will play 75 home games beginning April 2 with a five-game series against the St. Paul Saints (Minnesota Twins). The reigning Triple-A Champions, the Norfolk Tides (Baltimore Orioles), visit April 30-May 5.
Tickets can be purchased bit.ly/3Ox4rRW or by calling 615-690-4487.
Belmont hires tennis coach
Jeff Cero was hired Monday as Belmont’s men’s tennis coach.
Cero spent the past four seasons as coach at George Fox University in Newburg, Oregon. He led George Fox to three consecutive Northwest Conference championships, three straight NCAA tournament appearances and a national quarterfinal finish in 2021.
“It is truly an honor to be a part of this program and family of student-athletes, and I am excited to jump in right away,” Cero said. Prior to George Fox, Cero was the men’s and women’s tennis coach at Colorado Christian University, where his women’s team set the school record for wins in a season.
If you have an item for Midstate Chatter contact Mike Organ at 615-259-8021 or on X @MikeOrganWriter.
Darius Harris
One of the nation’s fast-rising 7v7 events made it back to the Atlanta area as The Sevens 7v7 tournament was held at Peachtree Ridge High School over the weekend.
Many of the top organizations across the country registered and entered the tournament such as Hustle INC, C1N, NPA, 24K Cold Hearts, and Fast Houston.
The amount of star power each brand displayed with many of the top athletes from all of the country was insane to fathom.
One of the nation’s coveted 2028 cornerbacks was in attendance as Jermaine Cobbins and NPA showed up on a mission.
NPA earned the number 1 seed during pool play on the first day of the event. The team fell just short of the championship game, but the players went down swinging.
Vols on SI caught up with Cobbins to discuss any recruiting updates, and to shed light on an off-field story that deserves some attention.
Jermaine Cobbins Update
“The recruitment is going great,” Cobbins said.
“You know, a lot of teams are showing love,” Cobbins continued. Alabama, Vanderbilt, and Texas A&M were a few schools mentioned to be showing a lot of love to the Tennessee native.
Cobbins has plans to get on the road once dead period is over.
March 2- Auburn
March 6- USC (potentially)
March 13- Alabama
March 17- Georgia
March 19- Tennessee
March 21- Vanderbilt
As Cobbins is wrapping up his sophomore year and on his way to becoming a junior, the pace will pick up as schools will come on stronger as some will fall back. The talented defender has to check boxes of his on while spending time with each school.
“The main thing I’ll be looking for is probably how much love are they going to be showing, their background (track record), and how the coaches coach,” Cobbins explained.
With a visit to Rocky Top in a few weeks looming, this will be the first time Cobbins has made it to Tennessee since the staff changes on the defense.
Cobbins had a relationship with Coach Michael Hunter Jr., who joined the Volunteers staff for a very short time before taking an opportunity in the NFL.
“Me and the corners coach had a great relationship, he came (to UT) but he left out for the NFL, so kudos to him. Love that for him. I’ve met Coach Poindexter. He’s a great coach,” Cobbins said.
The coaching staff at Tennessee stands out to the Springfield (TN) student-athlete as, “they coach at a high level.” Cobbins would go on to describe how the Vols pulling in great talent truly has an impact because you get to practice against some talented players day in and day out.
Cobbins Gives Back
Cobbins recently had the opportunity to give back to the next generation, and it was no surprise to see this act carried out, so Vols on SI had to ask about this act of kindness before concluding the interview.
“That was very important (to me), you know. It just really made me feel good inside. I always love giving back to the little kids, especially from my hometown,” Cobbins said with a smile.
Cobbins understands the small-town life, and how such a simple gesture can make a huge difference. Talent aside, this is an A+ young man.
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Published on Mar. 4, 2026
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Vanderbilt basketball guard Frankie Collins is leaving the program, head coach Mark Byington announced on Tuesday night. The news comes just days before the Commodores are set to face off against Tennessee in the regular season finale, with the Volunteers looking to clinch a top-four seed and double-bye in the SEC Tournament.
Why it matters
Collins was Vanderbilt’s most highly touted transfer last offseason, but injuries limited him to just nine games this season. His departure leaves the Commodores shorthanded heading into a crucial matchup against their in-state rival Tennessee, who are seeking to complete a regular season sweep.
The details
The 6-foot-1 guard averaged 7.8 points, 4.7 assists and 4.2 rebounds per game this season, but suffered a meniscus injury in December that sidelined him for the majority of the year. With the emergence of sophomore point guard Tyler Tanner and Oklahoma transfer Duke Miles, Collins never quite found his footing in the Vanderbilt lineup.
- Frankie Collins left the Vanderbilt program on Tuesday, March 4, 2026.
- Vanderbilt is scheduled to face Tennessee on Saturday, March 8, 2026.
The players
Frankie Collins
A 6-foot-1 guard who was Vanderbilt’s most highly touted transfer last offseason, coming to Nashville after spending the 2024-25 season at TCU and the three prior years at Arizona State and Michigan.
Mark Byington
The head coach of the Vanderbilt Commodores basketball team.
Tyler Tanner
The sophomore point guard who emerged as a key player for Vanderbilt this season.
Duke Miles
An Oklahoma transfer shooting guard who joined the Vanderbilt roster this season.
Rick Barnes
The head coach of the Tennessee Volunteers basketball team.
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What they’re saying
“Frankie has left Nashville, and he’s not gonna be on the team. It’s gonna be good for both sides of it. We wish him well. So we’ll roll with the guys we got.”
— Mark Byington, Head Coach, Vanderbilt Commodores (rockytopinsider.com)
What’s next
With a victory over Vanderbilt, Tennessee will clinch a top four-seed and a double-bye in next week’s SEC Tournament. Vanderbilt could potentially earn a double-bye themselves with a win and a little extra help.
The takeaway
The loss of Frankie Collins leaves Vanderbilt shorthanded heading into a crucial matchup against in-state rival Tennessee, who are seeking to complete a regular season sweep. The Commodores will have to rely on the emergence of players like Tyler Tanner and Duke Miles to try and pull off the upset and keep their own postseason hopes alive.
Published on Mar. 3, 2026
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According to ESPN’s latest NFL mock draft, three former Tennessee Volunteers players are projected to be selected in the top 60 picks of the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft. Cornerbacks Jermod McCoy and Colton Hood are both projected to be first-round picks, while wide receiver Chris Brazzell II is projected to be a second-round selection.
Why it matters
The strong NFL Draft projections for Tennessee players highlight the continued talent development and success of the Volunteers football program under head coach Josh Heupel. If these projections hold true, it would mark the first time Tennessee has had two first-round picks and three players selected in the top 60 overall during Heupel’s tenure.
The details
Cornerback Jermod McCoy is projected to be selected 29th overall by the Los Angeles Rams, despite not participating in on-field workouts at the NFL Combine due to a previous ACL injury. Teammate Colton Hood is projected to be the final pick of the first round, going 32nd overall to the Seattle Seahawks. Wide receiver Chris Brazzell II impressed at the Combine with a 4.37 40-yard dash and is projected to be a second-round pick, going 60th overall to the Buffalo Bills.
- The NFL Combine was held in late February 2026.
- Tennessee’s Pro Day workouts are scheduled for the end of March 2026.
- The 2026 NFL Draft will take place in April-May 2026.
The players
Jermod McCoy
A cornerback for the Tennessee Volunteers who is projected to be a first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, despite missing the 2025 season due to an ACL injury.
Colton Hood
A cornerback for the Tennessee Volunteers who is projected to be a first-round pick, going 32nd overall to the Seattle Seahawks in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Chris Brazzell II
A wide receiver for the Tennessee Volunteers who impressed at the NFL Combine with a 4.37 40-yard dash and is projected to be a second-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
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What they’re saying
“If we’re going strictly by talent, McCoy is a top-10 prospect in this class. But he hasn’t played a game since 2024, missing all of last season after suffering an ACL tear in January 2025. We’re still not sure where he’s at in his recovery, as he did not participate in testing or drills at the combine. This gives the Rams — who haven’t drafted a corner in the first round since 2006 or before Day 3 since 2019 — the potential to get a steal here. McCoy is an easy mover who has squeaky-clean technique.”
— Jordan Reid, ESPN Analyst (ESPN)
“The reigning champions have a clear need at corner, as Josh Jobe and Riq Woolen are both scheduled to be free agents. Hood is a scheme-versatile player who can thrive in press man while also having the fluidity to excel in zone. A former all-state center fielder in high school, Hood’s ball skills frequently show up on tape (10 pass breakups and an interception last season). With his poised technique and wrap-up-and-finish tackling, he would fit well on the outside of Mike Macdonald’s secondary.”
— Jordan Reid, ESPN Analyst (ESPN)
“The Bills need someone who can separate on the outside, and Brazzell is an ‘X’ receiver who can be a deep vertical threat. He can also sink his weight and run a true route tree, making him a good fit with quarterback Josh Allen.”
— Jordan Reid, ESPN Analyst (ESPN)
What’s next
Tennessee’s Pro Day workouts are scheduled for the end of March 2026, where McCoy plans to participate in on-field drills to further showcase his recovery from the ACL injury. Strong performances at the Pro Day could potentially push McCoy back up draft boards into the top half of the first round.
The takeaway
The strong NFL Draft projections for Tennessee players demonstrate the continued talent development and success of the Volunteers football program under head coach Josh Heupel. If these projections hold true, it would mark a significant milestone for the program, with Tennessee potentially having two first-round picks and three players selected in the top 60 overall for the first time during Heupel’s tenure.
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