Tennessee
What Tennessee Titans’ Roger McCreary is learning from veteran defensive backfield
Cornerback Roger McCreary is confident in his chances to be one of the Tennessee Titans’ starters on defense.
He also knows — given the additions general manager Ran Carthon made to the Titans’ defensive backfield this offseason — the task won’t be easy.
In March, Carthon signed eighth-year cornerback Chidobe Awuzie and traded for fifth-year cornerback L’Jarius Sneed. Then, two weeks before training camp began, he added three-time Pro Bowl safety Jamal Adams.
McCreary, a third-year player who finished third in pass breakups (6) and fourth in combined tackles (86) on the Titans last season, is suddenly one of the least experienced players in the Titans’ defensive backfield.
“Those guys are who you look up to and just want to play with,” McCreary said at Ascension Saint Thomas Sports Park on Thursday. “They make you better just by how they play.”
Awuzie, 29, played seven seasons with the Dallas Cowboys and Cincinnati Bengals before signing with the Titans. He has 369 tackles and six interceptions in 86 career games.
AWUZIE UPDATE: Tennessee Titans CB Chidobe Awuzie will miss a couple weeks with calf injury
Sneed, 27, played four seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs where he was part of two Super Bowl wins. He was traded to the Titans for a third-round pick on Mar. 29.
“Those guys are great,” McCreary said of Sneed and Awuzie. “We studied them up close when we played them. They are veterans, and they give me tips on what I should do.”
Tennessee Titans’ Roger McCreary wants to be aggressive like Jamal Adams
While McCreary learns technique and skill from Sneed and Awuzie, he’s learning to be more aggressive from the Titans’ newest addition Jamal Adams.
Aggressive play near the line of scrimmage is the calling card of Adams, who is looking to reestablish his NFL presence after missing 24 games over the last two seasons. Injuries suffered while playing with the Seattle Seahawks seemingly derailed his career and had many wondering if he would play again.
Adams signed a one-year, $1.125 deal with the Titans on July 11, something he sees as a “prove it” deal.
One of the most physical safeties in the game during his time with the Seahawks and New York Jets, Adams has 21.5 sacks and 494 tackles in 80 career games. McCreary says he’s eager to grow the physical side of his game learning from Adams.
“I’ve seen his games, I know how he plays,” McCreary said about Adams. “He’s aggressive and I see how he is in that box. I’m trying to be aggressive like him.”
As the Titans continue through training camp, McCreary has a clear shot to be one of the Titans’ starting defensive backs. With Awuzie and Sneed ahead of him, he would slot as the nickel corner, a position that Adams has also played in his career.
With more defensive veteran leaders in the room, McCreary is also ready to establish himself as a leader.
“For me, I’m trying to be more of a vocal guy,” McCreary said. “We got new guys coming in, so my main goal is to be that vocal leader and set the example.”
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.
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.
Here is what White did in his 2025 season according to the Troy website.
Jaquez White’s 2025 Season
“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).”
More Vols News
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.
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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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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