Tennessee

What Tennessee football commit Ethan Utley said about his first Florida game, Arkansas loss

Published

1 year ago

October 12, 2024

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What Tennessee football commit Ethan Utley said about his first Florida game, Arkansas loss

Tennessee football commit Ethan Utley has visited Knoxville a number of times for games at Neyland Stadium.

But through all his visits, Utley has never been to a Tennessee-Florida game.

That will change Saturday night. Utley is a four-star prospect from Ensworth ranked as the No. 2 overall 2025 player in Tennessee and the No. 23 defensive lineman nationally, according to the 247Sports Composite. He will be among what’s expected to be a large group of 2025 commits that will visit Tennessee when it hosts Florida.

“I’ve been to Tennessee-Kentucky twice and Tennessee-South Carolina. But I think that the Florida game will be something different, especially at night time,” Utley said. “Checkerboard Neyland, wearing the traditional home uniforms. I’m excited to see it and I’m excited to see my friends and future teammates.”

UT is holding a Checker Neyland game for the eighth time. Fans are encouraged to wear orange or white, depending on their seat location, to make a checkerboard board pattern throughout the stadium.

More: How Tennessee football commit Ethan Utley honors brother’s memory. ‘I’m living both our dreams out’

What Ethan Utley said about Tennessee football loss to Arkansas

Utley let out a long sigh when asked about Tennessee’s 19-14 upset loss at Arkansas last week.

It was not a fun watch, but Utley saw a silver lining.

“Watching that game, it gave me hope,” Utley said after Ensworth’s 24-7 win over Father Ryan on Friday. “There’s still more to learn. The defense got its back against the wall a few times and came up with some huge stops. Those guys are still playing electric and not folding, kind of like we did tonight.”

More: Pearl-Cohn, East Nashville in Class 2A? Key takeaways from TSSAA’s football classification release

Utley has helped Ensworth (7-0) get off to its best start since 2013, but every Saturday he’s closely watching Tennessee.

“I’m locked in at all times. Me and my best friend (Tennessee commit) Dylan Lewis, who’s from Atlanta, we’ll FaceTime and watch the game together,” Utley said. “We’ll talk about it, kind of envision ourselves on the actual defense itself.”

Reach sports writer Tyler Palmateer at tpalmateer@tennessean.com and on the X platform, formerly Twitter, @tpalmateer83.

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Tennessee

Tennessee Titans head coach interview schedule takes shape

Published

5 hours ago

January 6, 2026

Press Room

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.

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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Tennessee

419 sober drivers in Tennessee arrested for DUI in 2024, according to TBI

Published

17 hours ago

January 6, 2026

Press Room

419 sober drivers in Tennessee arrested for DUI in 2024, according to TBI

New data released Monday by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation shows 419 sober drivers were arrested for DUI in Tennessee in 2024, the highest number of wrongful arrests in a single year since WSMV4 Investigates first started obtaining the data.

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Tennessee

Sick and tired: Counties near Chattanooga are now reporting highest flu rates in Tennessee

Published

1 day ago

January 5, 2026

Press Room

Sick and tired: Counties near Chattanooga are now reporting highest flu rates in Tennessee

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn — Tennessee health officials say flu activity is rising sharply in around Chattanooga, with counties surrounding Hamilton showing some of the highest rates in the state.

Marion, Grundy, Sequatchie, Bradley, Meigs, Rhea, Bledsoe, McMinn and Polk counties are currently the only areas in Tennessee rated “very high” for influenza activity by the Tennessee Dept. of Health. Photo via the Tennessee Health Dept.

Marion, Grundy, Sequatchie, Bradley, Meigs, Rhea, Bledsoe, McMinn and Polk counties are currently the only areas in Tennessee rated “very high” for influenza activity by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

These counties have flu positivity rates greater than 10 percent. By comparison, the statewide average is 6.5 percent, and Hamilton County itself is at 6.9 percent.

State and federal health experts say the surge comes as influenza A(H3N2) continues to circulate widely. The CDC reports at least 11 million flu illnesses, 120,000 hospitalizations, and 5,000 deaths nationwide so far this season. One pediatric death was reported this week in Tennessee, bringing the season total to nine nationwide.

File photo: Getty Images.

Georgia officials are also reporting higher-than-average flu activity, signaling that the region is experiencing a particularly active season. Health authorities encourage residents six months and older to get vaccinated if they have not already and to take precautions such as frequent handwashing and staying home when sick.

Flu activity is expected to remain elevated in Tennessee and across the U.S. for several more weeks, according to the CDC. Local hospitals and clinics are urging families to monitor symptoms and seek care early, especially for children, older adults, and those with chronic health conditions.

For the latest guidance on influenza vaccination and antiviral treatments, visit the Tennessee Department of Health or the CDC at cdc.gov.

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