Related
Advertisement
As new college sports landscape takes shape, here’s why commitment flips are more common
The Tennessee Titans were blessed by the football gods with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. Many believe that they will look to fix their quarterback problem with that pick.
Right now, there are two expected options that the Titans will choose from. Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders are the only two players receiving the vast majority of the projections fro the team with the top pick.
Ward has gained a slight edge over Sanders in the minds of many. A lot can change, but Ward is trending very well to be the No. 1 pick at this point in time.
That being said, a concerning comparison has been made for Ward that could make Tennessee think twice.
Bleacher Report has dropped a comparison for Ward to Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith. That clearly is not the best comparison that a potential No. 1 pick could be given.
Obviously, Smith has ended up having a solid NFL career. However, he has been far from a star and if Ward developed like Smith did, it would be another potential setback for the Titans and definitely not worth the No. 1 overall pick.
While it’s a bit of a concerning comparison, Ward put up huge production on the field for the Miami Hurricanes in 2024. He has earned the hype that he has been receiving as an option for Tennessee.
During the 2024 season with Miami, Ward ended up completing 67.2 percent of his pass attempts for 4,313 yards, 39 touchdowns, and seven interceptoins. He also picked up 204 yards and four more touchdowns on the ground.
Throughout his entire college career, his numbers look even more impressive.
He has finished with 18,187 passing yards, 158 touchdowns, and just 37 interceptions. He also completed 67.2 percent of his passes. In addition to his passing numbers, he had 469 yards and 20 touchdowns with his legs.
That kind of production speaks volumes. Ward was a dynamic quarterback in college and if those skills transfer to the NFL, he would be exactly the quarterback fix that the Titans desperately need.
Hopefully, Tennessee gets this decision right. They have been in quarterback purgatory over the last few years and have to find a franchise quarterback that can lead them back to contention.
Make sure you bookmark Tennessee Titans on SI for the latest news, exclusive interviews, film breakdowns and so much more!
Enter your email and we’ll send a secure one-click link to sign in.
WKRN is provided by Nexstar Media Group, Inc., and uses the My Nexstar sign-in, which works across our media network.
Learn more at nexstar.tv/privacy-policy.
WKRN is provided by Nexstar Media Group, Inc., and uses the My Nexstar sign-in, which works across our media network.
Nexstar Media Group, Inc. is a leading, diversified media company that produces and distributes engaging local and national news, sports, and entertainment content across its television and digital platforms. The My Nexstar sign-in works across the Nexstar network—including The CW, NewsNation, The Hill, and more. Learn more at nexstar.tv/privacy-policy.
The Dallas-area’s most up-and-down recruiting saga from the Class of 2026 has its latest twist.
North Forney four-star athlete Legend Bey has requested his letter of release from Tennessee, according to reporting from Rivals’ Sam Spiegelman.
“They are waiting for Tennessee to confirm this,” Spiegelman said of the request Sunday on The Inside Scoop podcast. “This could come as early as today, tomorrow. This is in the works.”
Bey signed with Tennessee on early national signing day, flipping from his November 10 commitment to Ohio State on early national signing day. He had originally committed to the Volunteers in June. However, reports emerged soon after his signing that Bey wanted to sign with the Buckeyes but landed at Tennessee because of pressure from his family.
Related
The possibility that Bey might seek a release was first reported Dec. 4, with reports suggesting that Tennessee would grant the request given the tumultuous recruiting process.
If the release is granted, Bey may have to wait to turn 18 years old before he can sign for Ohio State without parental approval.
Find more high school sports coverage from The Dallas Morning News here.
Sign up for our FREE HS newsletter
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Louisville (9-1, 0-0 ACC) is set to face Tennessee (7-3, 0-0 SEC) on Tuesday, Dec. 16 at 7:00 p.m. EST at Thompson-Boling Arena. Here’s how the Cardinals stack up against the Volunteers:
*Mobile users can scroll left and right on the tables below*
|
Tennessee |
Louisville |
|
|---|---|---|
|
AP/USAT |
20th/20th |
11th/11th |
|
SOS |
38th |
89th |
|
SOR |
47th |
13th |
|
NET |
36th |
11th |
|
RPI |
50th |
41st |
|
BPI |
18th |
6th |
|
KenPom |
18th |
10th |
|
Torvik |
18th |
10th |
|
EvanMiya |
20th |
12th |
|
Tennessee |
Louisville |
|
|---|---|---|
|
Points |
Ja’Kobi Gillespie (17.3) |
Ryan Conwell (19.4) |
|
Rebounds |
Nate Ament (7.1) |
Sananda Fru (6.2) |
|
Assists |
Ja’Kobi Gillespie (5.4) |
Mikel Brown Jr. (5.1) |
|
Steals |
Bishop Boswell (1.9) |
Kobe Rodgers (1.3) |
|
Blocks |
Felix Okpara (1.7) |
Sananda Fru (1.2) |
|
Tennessee |
Louisville |
|
|---|---|---|
|
Points Per Game |
80.9 |
94.3 |
|
Field Goal % |
46.8 |
47.9 |
|
FGM/FGA Per Game |
28.9/61.7 |
30.4/63.5 |
|
Three Point % |
34.6 |
37.5 |
|
3PTM/3PTA |
7.4/21.4 |
13.2/35.2 |
|
Free Throw % |
72.7 |
77.8 |
|
FTM/FTA Per Game |
15.7/21.6 |
20.3/26.1 |
|
Tennessee |
Louisville |
|
|---|---|---|
|
Rebounds Per Game |
43.3 |
42.6 |
|
Off. Reb. Per Game |
15.6 |
12.7 |
|
Def. Reb. Per Game |
27.7 |
29.9 |
|
Rebound Margin |
12.9 |
8.0 |
|
Tennessee |
Louisville |
|
|---|---|---|
|
Opp. Points Per Game |
66.0 |
68.1 |
|
Opp. FG% |
38.5 |
37.8 |
|
Opp. 3PT% |
29.7 |
29.6 |
|
Steals Per Game |
7.5 |
8.1 |
|
Blocks Per Game |
3.7 |
3.8 |
|
Turnovers Forced Per Game |
12.4 |
13.9 |
|
Tennessee |
Louisville |
|
|---|---|---|
|
Assists Per Game |
18.8 |
19.7 |
|
Turnovers Per Game |
13.2 |
10.9 |
|
Turnover Margin |
0.8 |
3.0 |
|
Assist/Turnover Ratio |
1.42 |
1.81 |
– ESPN Prediction: Per ESPN’s Basketball Power Index, the Cardinals have a 57.8 percent chance to win against the Volunteers. Louisville has a BPI rating of 22.0 (6th overall), whereas Tennessee has a BPI rating of 16.9 (18th overall).
– KenPom Prediction: Per KenPom.com, the Cardinals have a 49 percent chance to take down the Volunteers, with a projected final score of 80-79 in favor of UT. Louisville has an adjusted efficiency margin of +27.72 (10th overall), whereas Tennessee has an adjusted efficiency margin of +23.10 (18th overall).
– Torvik Prediction: Per BartTorvik.com, the Cards have a 43 percent chance to take down the Vols, with a projected final score of 80-78 in favor of UT. Louisville has a “Barthag” of .9451 (10th overall), whereas Tennessee has a “Barthag” of .9253 (18th overall).
– Personal Prediction: Louisville 83, Tennessee 82.
(Photo of Kasean Pryor: Jamie Rhodes – Imagn Images)
You can follow Louisville Cardinals On SI for future coverage by liking us on Facebook, Twitter/X and Instagram:
Facebook – @LouisvilleOnSI
Twitter/X – @LouisvilleOnSI
Instagram – @louisvilleonsi
You can also follow Deputy Editor Matthew McGavic at @Matt_McGavic on Twitter/X and @mattmcgavic.bsky.social on Bluesky
LIVE UPDATES: Mudslide, road closures across Western Washington
Addy Brown motivated to step up in Audi Crooks’ absence vs. UNI
Matt Campbell reportedly bringing longtime Iowa State staffer to Penn State as 1st hire
How much snow did Iowa get? See Iowa’s latest snowfall totals
Urban Meyer, Brady Quinn get in heated exchange during Alabama, Notre Dame, Miami CFP discussion
Man shot, killed at downtown Cleveland nightclub: EMS
Chiefs’ offensive line woes deepen as Wanya Morris exits with knee injury against Texans
Two Minnesota carriers shut down, idling 200 drivers