VFL TODD HELTON HEADED TO COOPERSTOWN

VFL TODD HELTON HEADED TO COOPERSTOWN

Courtesy / UT Athletics

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee baseball legend Todd Helton is headed to Cooperstown after being selected for induction into the National Baseball Hall of Fame, as revealed by the MLB Network on Tuesday evening.

In his sixth year eligible for selection, Helton appeared on 79.7 percent of the ballots from the Baseball Writers’ Association of America, surpassing the 75 percent threshold. He becomes just the second player in Southeastern Conference history to be voted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame, joining Auburn’s Frank Thomas (2014).

Selected with the eighth overall pick in the 1995 Major League Baseball Draft by Colorado, Helton spent his entire 17-year Major League career with the Rockies and is still the franchise leader in games played (2,247), runs scored (1,401), hits (2,519), doubles (592), home runs (369), RBI (1,406), total bases (4,292) and walks (1,335).

Helton was a five-time MLB All-Star (2000-04), four-time Sliver Slugger award winner (2000-03), three-time Gold Glove winner (2001, 2002, 2004) and won the National League batting title in 2000. He also helped lead the Rockies to their first and only World Series appearance in franchise history in 2007. Helton joins Larry Walker as the second Rockies’ player to be enshrined in Cooperstown.

Already a member of the Tennessee Baseball Hall of Fame (Class of 2008), the Tennessee Athletics Hall of Fame (Class of 2017) and the National College Baseball Hall of Fame (Class of 2021), Helton had arguably the most decorated and dominant career of any player in program history and is still considered one of the greatest two-way players to ever play at the collegiate level.

During his time on Rocky Top, Helton was a standout performer at the plate and on the mound, setting numerous program records during his storied career. The Knoxville native still sits atop UT’s record book in career RBI (238), walks (147) and saves (23). He also holds single-season records for runs batted in (92 in 1995), earned run average (0.89 in 1994) and saves (12 in 1995).

Helton earned a multitude of national awards and accolades during his three seasons on Rocky Top, including winning the 1995 Dick Howser Trophy and earning National Player of the Year honors by the American Baseball Coaches Association, Baseball America and Collegiate Baseball Newspaper. Helton was also named the 1995 SEC Player of the Year, a two-time first-team All-American (1994 & 1995) and a Freshman All-American (1993).

In his final season at UT, Helton helped lead the Volunteers to 1995 SEC regular season and tournament titles, as well as their first Men’s College World Series appearance in 44 years.

“What Todd Helton did for the Colorado Rockies organization is nothing short of legendary,” Tennessee baseball head coach Tony Vitello said. “Nonetheless, folks here think just as highly of all he has accomplished in our great state. What he has done in this community prior to, during and after his time on Rocky Top may never be duplicated.

“He went from being a local superstar in high school to being a hometown representative for the University of Tennessee here in Knoxville. As many I’m sure have mentioned, he was not just a two-way standout on the baseball field but also a legit two-sport athlete. Athleticism helped create those opportunities, but extreme competitiveness helped fuel his success. Ever since his days of success in Major League Baseball have concluded, he has given back to UT in every way you can possibly imagine. He truly deserves every bit of love he receives from Vol Nation.”

The official induction ceremony for the 2024 Hall of Fame selections will take place in Cooperstown, New York on July 21.

For more information on Helton’s Hall of Fame selection and this year’s National Baseball Hall of Fame Class, click HERE.

Courtesy / UT Athletics
Basketball Game vs. Alabama an “Orange Out”

Basketball Game vs. Alabama an “Orange Out”

Courtesy / UT Athletics

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The University of Tennessee announced Wednesday that its men’s basketball game today against Alabama will be dubbed an “Orange Out.”

Fans are encouraged to arrive early and wear orange Tennessee attire to Food City Center for the matchup. Doors to the arena open at 12:30 p.m. and tip-off is set for 2 p.m.

In addition, the first 2,000 students in attendance will receive an “Orange Out” shirt for the matchup between a pair of teams in the top seven nationally in NET, KenPom, ESPN BPI and BartTorvik metrics rankings.

The contest between No. 6/7 Tennessee (13-4, 3-1 SEC) and Alabama (12-5, 4-0 SEC) is sold out and will be televised live on ESPN2. It is the third of six confirmed sellouts at Food City Center this season, a new venue record for the Volunteers.

Limited tickets are still available for just three remaining home games. Fans can buy their seats for the Jan. 30 contest against South Carolina HERE, the Feb. 7 outing versus LSU HERE and the Feb. 17 meeting with Vanderbilt HERE.

To keep up with the University of Tennessee men’s basketball team on social media, follow @Vol_Hoops on Instagram and X/Twitter, as well as /tennesseebasketball on Facebook.

Courtesy / UT Athletics

107.7 WIVK – General Contest Rules

OFFICIAL RULES

FOR CUMULUS RADIO STATIONS CONTEST & SWEEPSTAKES

A complete copy of these rules can be obtained at the offices of any radio station owned and/or operated by Cumulus Media Holdings Inc. (“Sponsor”) during normal business hours Monday through Friday or by sending a self-addressed, stamped envelope to 3280 Peachtree Road, Suite 2300, Atlanta, GA 30305, Attn: Legal Department.

Sponsor will conduct all Cumulus radio station contests and sweepstakes (“Contests” and “Sweepstakes”), including on-air contests, online and text-based sweepstakes, and contests and sweepstakes conducted through a Cumulus radio station’s social media accounts (e.g., Facebook, Twitter, etc.), substantially as described in these rules, and by participating, each participant agrees as follows:

  1. No purchase is necessary. Void where prohibited.  All federal, state, and local regulations apply.
    Eligibility.
      This Contest is open only to legal U.S. residents age eighteen (18) years or older at the time of entry with a valid Social Security number and who reside in the Station’s Designated Market Area (“DMA”) as defined by Nielsen Audio, who have not won a prize from the station in the last 90 days or a prize valued at $500 or more in the last 180 days, and whose immediate family members or household members have not won a prize from the station in the last 90 days or a prize valued at $500 or more in the last 180 days.   Void where prohibited by law.  Individuals age 13 to 17 may be eligible to participate in Contests and Sweepstakes with the approval of a parent or legal guardian, provided that the parent or legal guardian is a legal U.S. resident at least 18 years of age at the time of entry with a valid Social Security number and resides in the Cumulus radio station’s listening area. Unless otherwise specified, Employees of Cumulus Media Holdings Inc., its parent company, affiliates, related entities and subsidiaries, promotional sponsors, prize providers, advertising agencies, other radio stations serving the Station’s DMA, and the immediate family members and household members of all such employees are not eligible to participate. The term “immediate family members” includes spouses, parents and step-parents, siblings and step-siblings, and children and stepchildren.  The term “household members” refers to people who share the same residence at least three (3) months out of the year. The Contest is subject to all applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations. Participation constitutes entrant’s full and unconditional agreement to these Official Rules and Sponsor’s decisions, which are final and binding in all matters related to the Contest. Winning a prize is contingent upon fulfilling all requirements set forth herein.
  2. Contest or Sweepstakes Period. The Contest or Sweepstake will begin and end at the times specified by Sponsor.  Sponsor’s computer is the official time keeping device for all Contests and Sweepstakes.
  3. How to Enter. Entry methods for Contest and Sweepstakes will be specified by Sponsor and entries must be received during the Contest or Sweepstakes Period to be eligible. Use of any automated system to participate is prohibited and will result in disqualification.  Sponsor shall not be responsible for lost, late, incomplete, invalid, unintelligible, inappropriate or misdirected entries, all of which will be disqualified.  In the event of a dispute as to any entry, the authorized account holder of the email address or telephone number used to enter will be deemed to be the participant. The “authorized account holder” is the natural person assigned the telephone number by the wireless carrier or an email address by an Internet access provider, online service provider or other organization responsible for assigning email addresses for the domain associated with the submitted address.  Potential winner may be required to show proof of being the authorized account holder. All entries become the sole and exclusive property of Sponsor and will not be returned.  Sponsor reserves the right to contact entrants and all other individuals whose email address is submitted as part of a Contest or Sweepstakes.  Time Delay Between Over-the-Air Analog Signal and Other Signal DeliveryDue to the time delay that exists between a Cumulus radio station’s analog over-the-air signal and its online webcast, listeners who listen to a Cumulus radio station online may hear Contest or Sweepstakes information or a cue to call later than listeners listening to the station’s analog over-the-air signal. As a result, the odds of an online listener winning a Contest Sweepstakes may be diminished
  4. Winner Selection. Contest and Sweepstakes winners will be determined according to the method specified by Sponsor at Sponsor’s sole and exclusive discretion.  The winning entrant will be contacted using the email address and/or telephone number provided with the entry and may be awarded the prize (subject to verification of eligibility and compliance with the terms of these rules or the specific Contest or Sweepstakes rules).  Sponsor’s decisions as to the administration and operation of Contests and Sweepstakes and the selection of potential winners is final and binding in all matters related to the Contest or Sweepstakes. Failure to respond to the initial verification contact within three (3) days of notification will result in disqualification.
  5. Verification of Potential Winner. POTENTIAL CONTEST AND SWEEPSTAKES WINNERS ARE SUBJECT TO VERIFICATION BY SPONSOR WHOSE DECISIONS ARE FINAL AND BINDING IN ALL MATTERS RELATED TO THE CONTEST OR SWEEPSTAKES. The potential winner must continue to comply with all terms and conditions of these Official Rules and/or the Office Rules of the specific Contest or Sweepstakes, and winning is contingent upon fulfilling all requirements. The potential winner will be notified by email and/or telephone call, after the date of random drawing. The potential winner will be required to sign and return to sponsor, within three (3) days of the date notice is sent, an affidavit of eligibility and a liability/publicity release (except where prohibited) in order to claim his/her prize, if applicable.  A winner who returns the affidavit of eligibility and liability/publicity release within the required time period will be deemed to have accepted the prize and thereafter will not be permitted to rescind their acceptance of the prize and/or return the prize.  If a potential winner cannot be contacted, fails to sign and return the affidavit of eligibility and/or the liability/publicity release within the required time period (if applicable), or if the prize or prize notification is returned as undeliverable, potential winner forfeits prize. In the event that the potential winner of a contest or sweepstakes prize is disqualified for any reason, Sponsor may award the applicable prize to an alternate winner by random drawing from among all remaining eligible entries.
  6.  Prizes. Contest and Sweepstakes prizes will be as specified by Sponsor.  Winner is responsible for all taxes associated with prize receipt and/or use.  Odds of winning a Contest or Sweepstakes prize depend on a number of factors, including but not limited to the number of eligible entries received by Sponsor during the Contest or Sweepstakes Period and the number of listeners participating at any given time.  Sponsor reserves the right to substitute any listed prize for one of equal or greater value for any reason.  For prizes that involve travel, unless otherwise specified, trips must be taken within the stated time periods or will be forfeited, winner and guest must travel on the same itinerary, and winner’s guest must be eighteen (18) years of age or older.  Trips are non-transferable and no substitution will be made except as provided at the Sponsor’s sole discretion.
  7. Entry Conditions and Release. By entering a Contest or Sweepstakes, each participant agrees to: (a) comply with and be bound by these Official Rules, the Office Rules of the specific Contest or Sweepstakes, and the decisions of Sponsor, which are binding and final in all matters relating to any Contest or Sweepstakes; (b) release and hold harmless Sponsor, Cumulus Media Inc., and its subsidiaries, related and affiliated companies, participating sponsors, the prize suppliers and any other organizations responsible for sponsoring, fulfilling, administering, advertising or promoting the Contest or Sweepstakes, and each of their respective past and present officers, directors, employees, agents and representatives (collectively, the “Released Parties”) from and against any and all claims, expenses, and liability, including but not limited to negligence and damages of any kind to persons and property, including but not limited to invasion of privacy (under appropriation, intrusion, public disclosure of private facts, false light in the public eye or other legal theory), defamation, slander, libel, violation of right of publicity, infringement of trademark, copyright or other intellectual property rights, property damage, or death or personal injury arising out of or relating to a participant’s entry, creation of an entry or submission of an entry, participation in a Contest or Sweepstakes, acceptance or use or misuse of prize (including any travel or activity related thereto) and/or the broadcast, exploitation or use of entry; and (c) indemnify, defend and hold harmless the Released Parties from and against any and all claims, expenses, and liabilities (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) arising out of or relating to an entrant’s participation in the Contest or Sweepstakes and/or entrant’s acceptance, use, non-use or misuse of the prize.
  8. Publicity. Except where prohibited, participation in a Contest or Sweepstakes constitutes winner’s consent to Sponsor’s and its agents’ use of winner’s name, likeness, photograph, voice, opinions and/or hometown and state for promotional purposes in any media, worldwide, without further payment or consideration, unless otherwise prohibited by law.
  9. Taxes. All State, Local, Federal and or other taxes, duties, tariffs, title fees, licensing fees, or other fees for prizes awarded in any Contest or Sweepstakes become the sole responsibility of the winner.  All those who win a prize or prizes valued $600 or more in any given year will be issued an IRS Form 1099 to report their winnings.
  10. General Conditions. Sponsor reserves the right to cancel, suspend and/or modify any Contest or Sweepstakes, or any part of it, if any fraud, technical failures or any other factor beyond Sponsor’s reasonable control impairs the integrity or proper functioning of the Contest or Sweepstakes, as determined by Sponsor in its sole discretion. Sponsor reserves the right in its sole discretion to disqualify any individual it finds to be tampering with the entry process or the operation of the Contest or Sweepstakes or to be acting in violation of these Official Rules or any other promotion or in an unsportsmanlike or disruptive manner. Any attempt by any person to deliberately undermine the legitimate operation of a Contest or Sweepstakes may be a violation of criminal and civil law, and, should such an attempt be made, Sponsor reserves the right to seek damages from any such person to the fullest extent permitted by law. Sponsor’s failure to enforce any term of these Official Rules shall not constitute a waiver of that provision.
  11. Limitations of Liability. The Released Parties are not responsible for: (1) any incorrect or inaccurate information, whether caused by entrants, printing errors or by any of the equipment or programming associated with or utilized in the Contest or Sweepstakes; (2) technical failures of any kind, including but not limited to malfunctions, interruptions, or disconnections in phone lines or network hardware or software; (3) unauthorized human intervention in any part of the entry process or the Contest or Sweepstakes; (4) technical or human error which may occur in the administration of the Contest or Sweepstakes or the processing of entries; or (5) any injury or damage to persons or property which may be caused, directly or indirectly, in whole or in part, from entrant’s participation in the Contest or Sweepstakes or receipt or use, non-use or misuse of any prize. If for any reason an entrant’s entry is confirmed to have been erroneously deleted, lost, or otherwise destroyed or corrupted, entrant’s sole remedy is another entry in the Contest or Sweepstakes, provided that if it is not possible to award another entry due to discontinuance or completion of the Contest or Sweepstakes, or any part of it, for any reason, Sponsor, at its discretion, may elect to hold a random drawing from among all eligible entries received up to the date of discontinuance for any or all of the prizes offered herein. No more than the stated number of prizes will be awarded. In event that production, technical, programming or any other reason causes more than stated number of prizes as set forth in these Official Rules to be available or claimed, Sponsor reserves the right to award only the stated number of prizes by a random drawing among all legitimate, unawarded, eligible prize claims.
  12. Disputes. Entrant agrees that: (i) any and all disputes, claims and causes of action arising out of or connected with a Contest or Sweepstakes, or any prizes awarded, other than those concerning the administration of the Contest or Sweepstakes or the determination of the winner, shall be resolved individually, without resort to any form of class action; (ii) any and all disputes, claims and causes of action arising out of or connected with a Contest or Sweepstakes, or any prizes awarded, shall be resolved exclusively by the United States District Court or the appropriate state court located in the entrant’s Cumulus radio station’s listening area; (iii) any and all claims, judgments and awards shall be limited to actual out-of-pocket costs incurred, including costs associated with entering a Contest or Sweepstakes, but in no event attorneys’ fees; and (iv) under no circumstances will entrant be permitted to obtain awards for, and entrant hereby waives all rights to claim punitive, incidental and consequential damages and any other damages, other than for actual out-of-pocket expenses, and any and all rights to have damages multiplied or otherwise increased. SOME JURISDICTIONS DO NOT ALLOW THE LIMITATIONS OR EXCLUSION OF LIABILITY FOR INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, SO THE ABOVE MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU. All issues and questions concerning the construction, validity, interpretation and enforceability of these Official Rules, or the rights and obligations of entrant and Sponsor in connection with the Contest or Sweepstakes, shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the state in which the entrant’s Cumulus radio station is located, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law rules (whether of the state in which the entrant’s Cumulus radio station is located or any other jurisdiction), which would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the state in which the entrant’s Cumulus radio station is located.
  13. Entrant’s Personal Information. Information collected from entrants is subject to Sponsor’s Privacy Policy, which is available on every Cumulus radio station’s website under the “Privacy Policy” link. All entry blanks, forms, devices, and materials gathered during the course of entry, as well as all information contained on or within, shall become the sole property of Sponsor to be used, disposed of or destroyed in its sole discretion. Sponsor is not responsible for any incorrect or inaccurate information entered by website users, and assumes no responsibility for any error, omission, interruption, deletion, defect, delay in operation or transmission, communications line failure, theft or destruction or unauthorized access to a Cumulus radio station website.
  14. Sweepstakes Results. A winners list may be obtained thirty (30) days after the conclusion of a Contest or Sweepstakes by sending a self-addressed stamped envelope to the Sweepstakes Sponsor identified below.

SWEEPSTAKES SPONSOR: CUMULUS MEDIA HOLDINGS, INC., 3280 Peachtree Road, Suite 2300, Atlanta, GA 30305, Attn: Contests and Sweepstakes.

#4/6 Vols Drop Series Finale at #3/7 LSU
Courtesy / LSU Athletics

#4/6 Vols Drop Series Finale at #3/7 LSU

BATON ROUGE, La. – No. 4/6 Tennessee fell to No. 3/7 LSU, 12-2, in Sunday afternoon’s series finale at Alex Box Stadium.

The Volunteers (35-9, 13-8 SEC) looked poised for a big day at the plate after plating two runs on four hits in the top of the first inning, but Tigers’ starter Casan Evans rebounded from his rough opening frame to shut down the UT attack for the remainder of his outing.

Evans earned the win to improve to 3-0 after striking out six and walking none over six innings of work. Fellow righty Zac Cowan pitched the final two innings, allowing just one hit.

LSU (36-9, 14-7 SEC) had its best offensive performance of the series, scoring 12 unanswered runs after falling behind 2-0. The Tigers finished with 13 hits, led by a monster day from leadoff hitter Derek Curiel, who was 4-for-4 with a walk, two runs scored, a homer and five RBIs.

A sacrifice fly by Hunter Ensley and a double from Dalton Bargo produced the Vols’ only two runs of the day. Dean Curley and Andrew Fischer led Tennessee at the dish with a pair of hits and a run scored each. Fischer kept his on-base streak going, as well, with a single in the first inning and a double in the eighth.

The junior first baseman is the only player in the SEC to have reached base in every game this year and has now reached safely in 47 consecutive games dating back to last season.

After making his 2025 SEC debut last weekend with a scoreless relief appearance against Kentucky, AJ Russell made his first start in league play on Sunday. The junior righthander allowed two runs on three hits while striking out two batters in 1.2 innings.

UT’s bullpen didn’t fare much better, allowing 10 runs on 10 hits as LSU continued to add to its lead throughout the game.

Up Next

The Vols open a nine-game homestand on Tuesday night against Northern Kentucky at 6 p.m. before hosting Auburn over the weekend at Lindsey Nelson Stadium.

#1/4 Tennessee Clinches Series Win Over #16 Ole Miss
Courtesy / UT Athletics

#1/4 Tennessee Clinches Series Win Over #16 Ole Miss

OXFORD, Miss. – No. 1/4 Tennessee secured its sixth SEC series victory of the season with a 7-1 win over No. 16 Ole Miss on Sunday at Ole Miss Softball Stadium.
 
The Lady Vols (39-11, 14-7 SEC) have now claimed 22 of their last 24 conference series, a dominant stretch that dates to the end of the 2022 season.
 
Ole Miss (34-14, 10-11) jumped out to a quick lead with a run in the first inning after a leadoff walk and an RBI double. Tennessee starter Sage Mardjetko worked out of further trouble, limiting the Rebels to just the one run.
 
Tennessee took control in the third when Taylor Pannell launched a three-run home run—her 15th of the season—after a pair of walks set the table. The redshirt sophomore extended her reached-base streak to a career-high 21 games.
 
The Lady Vols added insurance in the fifth with another three-run frame. McKenna Gibson and Sophia Nugent opened the inning with back-to-back singles, and a sacrifice bunt moved pinch runners Katie Taylor and Zoie Shuler into scoring position. Saviya Morgan drove in Taylor with an RBI single to right, and a double steal brought home Shuler to make it 5-1. Laura Mealer followed with a run-scoring single to center, plating Morgan.
 
Tennessee tacked on one more in the seventh when Emma Clarke drew a bases-loaded walk to bring in the Lady Vols’ seventh run.
 
IN THE CIRCLE
Mardjetko tossed three innings in the start, allowing one run on one hit and three walks while striking out three. Erin Nuwer and Peyton Tanner provided middle relief, with Tanner working out of a two-on, one-out jam in the fourth.
 
Karlyn Pickens sealed the win with 2.1 scoreless innings in relief, striking out four and allowing just two hits. She improved to 20-6 on the year.
 
CHECK THE STATS
Pannell extended her reached base streak to a career-high 21 games on Sunday. She surpassed her previous career-best of 20 games set earlier this season.
 
With Sunday’s win, Tennessee improved to 10-1 in SEC rubber matches since the beginning of the 2023 season.
 
DUE UP
The Lady Vols will wrap up the regular season next weekend with a Thursday through Saturday series at home against Texas A&M. Tennessee will honor its five seniors before Game 3 on Saturday.

Mom’s Night Off

Mom’s Night Off

WIVK wants to make your Mother’s Day special this year!

We are teaming with Wasabi Japanese Steakhouse on Bearden Hill to host Moms and their guest for Mother’s Day!

That’s dinner for two covered at Wasabi Japanese Steakhouse on Bearden Hill on Sunday May 11th!

Thanks to our amazing sponsors Mom will also receive a great prize package. Our Mother’s Day prize package will include: $50 to Rick Terry Jewelry Designs, $50 to Cinnaholic Knoxville & Pigeon Forge, $50 to Gentry Mercantile, $50 to Old South Candy, and a beautiful bouquet of flowers from Flourish Flowers!

To enter to win just fill out the form below!

Thank you to Wasabi Japanese Steakhouse on Bearden Hill, Old South Candy, Cinnaholic Knoxville & Pigeon Forge, Gentry Mercantile, Rick Terry Jewelry Designs, and Flourish Flowers for making this possible!

Enter to Win Mom’s Night Off Dinner for Two and Gift Package for Mother’s Day!

Enter here for a chance to win dinner for two at Wasabi Japanese Steakhouse Sunday May 11th as well as a Gift Package for Mom!

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Post-Draft Vols in the NFL Update: 39 VFLs, 10 ex-Vols, 8 Knox area players on NFL teams

Post-Draft Vols in the NFL Update: 39 VFLs, 10 ex-Vols, 8 Knox area players on NFL teams

By Vince Ferrara / @VinceSports

Here’s an updated list of University of Tennessee players on expanded NFL rosters after the 2025 NFL Draft and reported undrafted free agent signings.

You’ll also see a list of players that were once at UT as well as other Knoxville area players that played at other schools.

I’ve included current projected depth chart positions according to Ourlads.com, a very accurate resource for NFL depth charts.

That’s all below now, and will be updated often, here on my blog “Vince’s View.”

Recent Transactions
OLB James Pearce Jr. drafted by the Atlanta Falcons (1st Rd #26 overall)
DT Omarr Norman-Lott drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs (2nd Rd #63 overall)
WR Dont’e Thornton drafted by the Las Vegas Raiders (4th Rd #108 overall)
RB Dylan Sampson drafted by the Cleveland Browns (4th Rd #126 overall)
DT Walter Nolen (local not UT) drafted by the Arizona Cardinals (1st Rd #16 overall)
DT Jordan Phillips (ex-Vol) drafted by the Miami Dolphins (5th Rd #143 overall)
DE Tyler Baron (ex-Vol) drafted by the New York Jets (5th Rd #176 overall)
DT Elijah Simmons signed as an undrafted free agent by the Arizona Cardinals
DT Omari Thomas signed as an undrafted free agent by the New Orleans Saints
DB Will Brooks signed as an undrafted free agent by the Kansas City Chiefs
DB Doneiko Slaughter (ex-Vol) signed as an undrafted free agent by the Jacksonville Jaguars
RB Elijah Young (local not UT) signed as an undrafted free agent by the Kansas City Chiefs
DT Da’Jon Terry (ex-Vol) signed as an undrafted free agent by the Los Angeles Rams

Tennessee Volunteers In The NFL as of 4/28/25 (39)
x = rookie

AFC East (3)
WR – Joshua Palmer (5) Buffalo Bills (starter)
RB – Jaylen Wright (25) Miami Dolphins (2nd team)
QB – Joshua Dobbs (11) New England Patriots (2nd team)
NONE – New York Jets

AFC North (3)
WR – Cedric Tillman (19) Cleveland Browns (starter)
RB – Dylan Sampson (–) Cleveland Browns (3rd team)-x
RB – Cordarrelle Patterson (84) Pittsburgh Steelers (4th team RB/2nd team KR)
NONE – Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals

AFC South (7)
DE – Derek Barnett (95) Houston Texans (2nd team RDE)
DE – Darrell Taylor (52) Houston Texans (2nd team LDE)
OL – Jerome Carvin (62) Houston Texans (3rd team C)
FB – Jakob Johnson (45) Houston Texans (2nd team)
LS – Morgan Cox (46) Tennessee Titans (LS)
RB – Jabari Small (31) Tennessee Titans (5th team)
CB – Gabe Jeudy-Lally (32) Tennessee Titans (3rd team LCB)
NONE – Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars

AFC West (6)
OG – Trey Smith (65) Kansas City Chiefs (starting RG)
DT – Omarr Norman-Lott (–) Kansas City Chiefs (2nd team RDT)-x
S – Will Brooks (–) Kansas City Chiefs (–)-x
DT – Matthew Butler (91) Las Vegas Raiders (4th team LDT)
WR – Dont’e Thornton Jr. (–) Las Vegas Raiders (2nd team)-x
TE – McCallan Castles (46) Los Angeles Chargers (5th team)
NONE – Denver Broncos

NFC East (4)
QB – Joe Milton III (10) Dallas Cowboys (2nd team)
TE – Princeton Fant (85) Dallas Cowboys (5th team)
WR – Jalin Hyatt (13) New York Giants (2nd team)
CB – Dee Williams (33) New York Giants (3rd team NB/2nd team PR/3rd team KR)
NONE – Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Commanders

NFC North (4)
OT – Darnell Wright (58) Chicago Bears (starting RT)
QB – Hendon Hooker (2) Detroit Lions (2nd team)
CB – Kamal Hadden (36) Green Bay Packers (3rd team NB)
S – Theo Jackson (26) Minnesota Vikings (2nd team FS)
NONE

NFC South (8)
OLB – James Pearce Jr. (–) Atlanta Falcons (starting ROLB)-x
DT – Shy Tuttle (99) Carolina Panthers (2nd team NT)
OG – Cade Mays (64) Carolina Panthers (2nd team C)
RB – Alvin Kamara (41) New Orleans Saints (starter)
CB – Alontae Taylor (1) New Orleans Saints (starting NB)
RB – Velus Jones Jr. (–) New Orleans Saints (7th team)
DT – Omari Thomas (–) New Orleans Saints (4th team)-x
WR – Marquez Callaway (85) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4th team)
NONE

NFC West (4)
DT – Elijah Simmons (–) Arizona Cardinals (4th team NT)-x
OLB – Byron Young (0) Los Angeles Rams (starting LOLB)
S – Jaylen McCullough (39) Los Angeles Rams (2nd team SS)
WR – Jauan Jennings (15) San Francisco 49ers (starter)
NONE – Seattle Seahawks

Ex-Vols That Transferred To Other Schools On NFL Rosters (10)
LB – Henry To’o to’o (39) Houston Texans (Alabama) (starting WLB)
P – Tommy Townsend (6) Houston Texans (Florida) (P/H)
DB – Doneiko Slaughter (–) Jacksonville Jaguars (4th team NB)-x
OT – Wanya Morris (64) Kansas City Chiefs (Oklahoma) (2nd team RT)
DT – Da’Jon Terry (–) Los Angeles Rams (Oklahoma) (4th team NT)-x
DE – Jordan Phillips (–) Miami Dolphins (Maryland) (2nd team LDE)-x
RB – Ty Chandler (32) Minnesota Vikings (North Carolina) (3rd team RB/2nd team KR)
RB – Eric Gray (20) New York Giants (Oklahoma) (4th team)
DE – Tyler Baron (–) New York Jets (Miami) (3rd team LDE)-x
WR – Brandon Johnson (89) Pittsburgh Steelers (UCF) (3rd team)

Knoxville Area Players That Didn’t Play at UT on NFL Rosters (8)
NT – Walter Nolen (–) Arizona Cardinals (Powell HS/Ole Miss) (2nd team LDE)-x
WR – Tee Higgins (5) Cincinnati Bengals (Oak Ridge HS/Clemson) (starter)
TE – Nate Adkins (45) Denver Broncos (Bearden HS/ETSU/South Carolina) (3rd team TE)
QB – Trevor Lawrence (16) Jacksonville Jaguars (Born in Knoxville/Clemson) (starter)
RB – Elijah Young (–) Kansas City Chiefs (South Doyle HS/Western Kentucky) (–)-x
S – Harrison Smith (22) Minnesota Vikings (Catholic HS/Notre Dame) (starting FS)
OG – Cole Strange (69) New England Patriots (Farragut HS/Chattanooga) (starting LG)
LB – Devin Harper (40) Pittsburgh Steelers (Karns HS/Oklahoma St.) (4th team RILB)

Free Agents – VFLs, Ex-Vols & Knoxville Area Players
WR – Ramel Keyton
CB – Emmanuel Moseley
WLB – Jalen Reeves-Maybin
FS – Micah Abernathy
DT – Kendal Vickers
P – Michael Palardy
WR – Bru McCoy (undrafted rookie)
WR – Cooper Mays (undrafted rookie)
OL – Nate Gilliam (Farragut HS/Wake Forest)
QB – Nathan Peterman (Tennessee/Pittsburgh)

Notes
*39 VFLs in the NFL
*Houston Texans & New Orleans Saints currently have the most Vols with 4 each
*7 VFL rookies total (4 draft picks & 3 undrafted free agents)
*23 of 32 teams have a VFL on their rosters
*19 VFLs in the AFC
*20 VFLs in the NFC
*9 VFLs are listed as starters on projected depth charts
*10 ex-Vols that finished college at others schools currently with NFL teams
*8 Knoxville-area players that did not attend UT currently with NFL teams

#4/6 Vols Rebound with 9-3 Win to Even Series in Baton Rouge
Courtesy / UT Athletics

#4/6 Vols Rebound with 9-3 Win to Even Series in Baton Rouge

BATON ROUGE, La. – An impressive pitching performance by Marcus Phillips and an explosive eighth inning at the plate led No. 4/6 Tennessee to a 9-3 win over No. 3/7 LSU in front of a record-breaking crowd at Alex Box Stadium on Saturday night.

After the Tigers (35-9, 13-7 SEC) cut a three-run deficit to one with back-to-back solo home runs in the bottom of the seventh, the Vols (35-8, 13-7 SEC) responded by scoring six runs in the top of the eighth to break open the game and even the series.

Hunter Ensley was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to plate the first run of the inning before Dalton Bargo and Cannon Peebles both came through with clutch two-out hits later in the inning. Bargo drove in a pair with a single to make it 6-2 and Peebles followed with a three-run moonshot into the left-field bleachers to put the Big Orange ahead by seven.

Peebles Is Red-Hot

Tennessee’s junior catcher is on an absolute tear at the plate right now, having recorded four multi-hit efforts in his last seven games. Peebles finished with a season-high five RBIs in Saturday’s win and has now homered five times in his last nine games, driving in 13 runs during that span.

Quality Start for Phillips

Phillips was locked in from the start in Saturday’s victory, retiring 11 of the first 12 batters he faced while carrying a no-hitter into the fifth inning. The junior righthander pitched 6.2 innings and didn’t allow a run until LSU hit consecutive solo homers to start the bottom of the seventh. Phillips finished with six strikeouts and allowed just two runs on three hits before handing the ball off to Dylan Loy.

The sophomore lefty tossed the final 2.1 innings to pick up his second save of the season, allowing a run on one hit.

Antigua’s Productive Night

Another bright spot for the Vols on Saturday was the performance of Ariel Antigua, who did a little bit of everything for the Big Orange. The sophomore shortstop made a handful of impressive defensive plays and reached base in four of his five plate appearances. Antigua scored a run, drove in a run, singled, walked, stole a base and was hit by two pitches on the night.

Up Next

The Vols and Tigers will decide this weekend’s series in Sunday’s rubber game, which is set for a 3 p.m. ET start and will be televised on the SEC Network.

#1/4 Lady Vols Blank #16 Ole Miss, 6-0, to Even Series
Courtesy / UT Athletics

#1/4 Lady Vols Blank #16 Ole Miss, 6-0, to Even Series

OXFORD, Miss. – No. 1/4 Tennessee bounced back in dominant fashion Saturday afternoon, shutting out No. 16 Ole Miss, 6-0, at Ole Miss Softball Stadium to even the series.
 
The Lady Vols (38-11, 13-7 SEC) broke a scoreless tie in the fourth inning, capitalizing on a bunt single and a Rebel error. Taylor Pannell led off the frame with a bunt and advanced to second on a throwing miscue. A deep flyout moved her to third, and Sophia Nugent brought her home with a sacrifice fly to right.
 
Tennessee added to its lead in the fifth as Kinsey Fiedler drove in Ella Dodge with a two-out RBI single.
 
The Big Orange broke the game open in the seventh, scoring four runs on four hits. After loading the bases with two singles and a walk, Pannell delivered a three-run double to right, clearing the bags and giving UT a 5-0 advantage. She later came around to score on a fielder’s choice by Alannah Leach.
 
Ole Miss (34-13, 10-10 SEC) threatened in the sixth, stringing together back-to-back singles. However, Tennessee ace Karlyn Pickens slammed the door with two strikeouts and a fielder’s choice to escape the jam.
 
IN THE CIRCLE
Pickens was electric in the circle, going the distance for her sixth shutout of the season. The junior right-hander allowed seven hits and a walk while striking out 10. The complete-game effort marked her 17th of the year and eighth double-digit strikeout performance of the 2025 campaign.
 
CHECK THE STATS
Pannell extended her on-base streak to 20 consecutive games, tying her career-high set earlier this season.
 
Pickens recorded her 200th strikeout of the season in the fourth inning—marking back-to-back 200-strikeout seasons. She’s the first Lady Vol since Ellen Renfroe (2013–14) to accomplish that feat.
 
DUE UP
Tennessee and Ole Miss wrap up the three-game series on Sunday. First pitch is slated for 2 p.m. ET on SEC Network+.

Thornton Jr., Sampson Drafted In Fourth Round; Four Total Vols Selected
Courtesy / UT Athletics

Thornton Jr., Sampson Drafted In Fourth Round; Four Total Vols Selected

GREEN BAY, Wis. – Two standout playmakers from the 2024 Tennessee offense were selected in the fourth round of the 2025 NFL Draft Saturday, giving the Volunteers a three-day total of four.

Wide receiver Dont’e Thornton Jr. was chosen No. 108 overall to the Las Vegas Raiders, while running back Dylan Sampson went No. 126 overall to the Cleveland Browns.

For the second time in three years, Tennessee produced at least four NFL Draft picks through the first four rounds. Defensive lineman James Pearce (first round, No. 26) and Omarr Norman-Lott (second round, No. 63) were selected Thursday and Friday, respectively.

Thornton played two seasons for the Vols after transferring from Oregon. He shined last fall, leading the nation in yards per catch at 25.4. He caught 26 passes and led the squad with 661 receiving yards and six touchdowns.

Sampson, the 2024 SEC Offensive Player of the Year, produced the most prolific rushing season in UT history, setting school records for rushing yards (1,491) and rushing touchdowns (22). The 22 rushing scores were the most by an SEC player since Alabama’s Najee Harris had an FBS-best 26 in 2020. It represented the fifth-most rushing touchdowns in SEC single-season history.

Sampson is the second straight Tennessee running back to be drafted. Former teammate Jaylen Wright went No. 120 overall in last year’s fourth round. The Vols were one of only two programs nationally (USC) to produce a running back in the first rounds in each of the last two drafts.

Undrafted Vols now have the opportunity to sign free agent contracts.

Tennessee 2025 NFL Draft Picks
Round (Pick), Name, Position, Team

1 (26), James Pearce Jr., DE/EDGE, Atlanta Falcons
2 (63), Omarr Norman-Lott, DT, Kansas City Chiefs
4 (108), Dont’e Thornton Jr., WR, Las Vegas Raiders
4 (126), Dylan Sampson, RB, Cleveland Browns  

Tennessee 2025 NFL Draft Notes

  • Tennessee has produced multiple offensive picks in five straight drafts and all four drafts under Josh Heupel. Ten offensive players have been selected under Heupel.
  • A total of 17 players in the Josh Heupel era have been drafted (since 2022 NFL Draft). It’s the highest four-year span of draft picks for the Vols since 17 went from 2005-08.
  • With the four total draft selections, Tennessee has had 391 all-time draft picks, which dates back to 1936. That mark includes the AFL Draft, which merged in 1967.
Omarr Norman-Lott Chosen In Second Round of 2025 NFL Draft
Courtesy / UT Athletics

Omarr Norman-Lott Chosen In Second Round of 2025 NFL Draft

GREEN BAY, Wis. – Another member of Tennessee’s stellar defensive line is off the board in the 2025 NFL Draft as Omarr Norman-Lott was selected with the No. 63 overall pick in the second round by the AFC champion Kansas City Chiefs Friday night.

Tennessee was one of five programs nationally in this draft with multiple defensive linemen chosen through the first two rounds, joining Georgia, Michigan, Ohio State and Texas A&M.

Norman-Lott totaled 44 tackles, 10 tackles for loss and 9.5 sacks in his two years on Rocky Top after transferring from Arizona State. According to Pro Football Focus, he owned an 18.9 percent pass rush win rate last fall, which ranked first nationally among defensive tackles. He finished the 2024 season with four tackles for loss and four sacks.

Norman-Lott is the third Tennessee defensive lineman selected through the first three rounds in the last three drafts, joining James Pearce Jr. (2025 first round Thursday night) and Byron Young (2023 third round). He heads to a Kansas City organization where he will line up next to All-Pro Chris Jones and unite with VFL Trey Smith.

“I am just so happy to be a Chief,” Norman-Lott said. “I am coming in with an open mind, ready to learn and get my playbook down and ready to go get a ring. I am ready to just get after it, go hunt some quarterbacks down and make some plays in the backfield.”

A total of 15 players in the Josh Heupel era have now been drafted (since 2022 NFL Draft). With the two total draft selections, Tennessee has produced 389 all-time draft picks, which dates back to 1936. That mark includes the AFL Draft, which merged in 1967.

Round four of the draft gets underway at noon ET Saturday on ABC, ESPN and NFL Network. Multiple Vols are still on the board, including 2024 SEC Player of the Year Dylan Sampson and wide receivers Dont’e Thornton Jr. and Bru McCoy

#4/6 Vols Lose Late Lead in Series-Opening Loss at #3/7 LSU
Courtesy / UT Athletics

#4/6 Vols Lose Late Lead in Series-Opening Loss at #3/7 LSU

BATON ROUGE, La. – No. 4/6 Tennessee was unable to hang on to a ninth inning lead in Friday’s series opener at No. 3/7 LSU, falling 6-3 at Alex Box Stadium.

It was a nightmare of a ninth inning for the Volunteers (34-8, 12-7 SEC), who committed two errors before surrendering a walk and three hits, including a walk-off three-run homer by Jared Jones. UT entered the inning leading 3-0 and had allowed just three hits up until that point.

Despite the miscues, Tennessee was still a strike away from escaping with the win before LSU leadoff hitter Derek Curiel drove a 1-2 pitch through the right side of the infield for an RBI single to tie the game at three and set the stage for Jones’ walk-off homer one batter later.

Andrew FischerHunter Ensley and Gavin Kilen all had RBI hits for the Big Orange to account for the team’s three runs while Reese Chapman also had a productive night at the plate with a pair of singles. The Vols outhit the Tigers 9-6 on the night but also left 10 runners on base.

Doyle Does His Part

It was another dominant outing on the mound from junior lefthander Liam Doyle, who outdueled LSU ace Kade Anderson in a matchup of two of the SEC’s best pitchers before exiting the game with two outs in the seventh inning.

Doyle allowed just one hit and had six strikeouts over 6.2 scoreless innings despite having to deal with a lengthy weather delay that postponed the start of the game more than three hours.

Up Next

Tennessee will look to wipe the slate clean and rebound to even the series on Saturday night when the Vols and Tigers square off at 8 p.m. ET on ESPNU.

Rally Falls Short as No. 1/4 Lady Vols Drop 3-2 Decision to No. 16 Ole Miss
Courtesy / UT Athletics

Rally Falls Short as No. 1/4 Lady Vols Drop 3-2 Decision to No. 16 Ole Miss

OXFORD, Miss. – A late rally came up just short for No. 1/4 Tennessee on Friday night, as the Lady Vols fell 3-2 to No. 16 Ole Miss at the Ole Miss Softball Complex.
 
The Rebels (34-12, 10-9 SEC) capitalized early with a three-run second inning. After a hit-by-pitch and a walk put two runners aboard, an infield single down the third-base line brought home the game’s first run. Ole Miss executed a squeeze bunt to plate its second, followed by an RBI groundout to cap the inning.
 
Tennessee (37-11, 12-7 SEC) responded in the sixth. Freshman Saviya Morgan sparked the offense with a bunt single, and Kinsey Fiedler followed with a triple to right-center to drive her in. Taylor Pannell cut the deficit to one with a sacrifice fly to score Fiedler.
 
The Lady Vols threatened again with back-to-back two-out walks in the sixth but couldn’t cash in. In the seventh, UT put two runners on but was unable to push across the tying run.
 
IN THE CIRCLE
Karlyn Pickens started for Tennessee, allowing three runs on one hit in two innings. The junior walked one and struck out three as she took the loss, moving to 18-6 on the season.
 
Freshman Erin Nuwer was strong in relief, tossing four shutout innings while allowing just one hit. She struck out five and walked two.
 
CHECK THE STATS
Fiedler’s triple was her eighth of the season, tying her with Lady Vol legend and recent Tennessee Athletics Hall of Fame inductee Lindsay Schutzler for the program’s single-season record.
 
Pannell extended her reached-base streak to 19 games with a single in the first inning. She is now one game shy of matching her career-best streak of 20, set earlier this season.
 
DUE UP
Tennessee and Ole Miss return to the diamond on Saturday for Game 2 of the series. First pitch is set for 3 p.m. ET and will be available for streaming on SEC Network+.

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