Phillips Accepts Invitation to Play in East-West Shrine Game

Phillips Accepts Invitation to Play in East-West Shrine Game

Posted on December 7, 2018
Credit: UT Athletics

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee football defensive end Kyle Phillips will play in the 94th East-West Shrine Game on Jan. 19 in St. Petersburg, Fla. The college football all-star game announced on Thursday night the Vols’ captain has accepted an invitation to play in the contest.

The 2019 edition of the East-West Shrine Game will kick off at 3 p.m. ET at Tropicana Field and will be broadcast live on the NFL Network.

Phillips will be the 49th Vol to play in the East-West Shrine Game all-time, joining recent participants Ethan Wolf (2018) and Justin Coleman (2015) as well as other notable Vols such as Casey Clausen (2004), Frank Emanuel (1965), Steve DeLong (1964) and Beattie Feathers (1934).

Phillips was an outstanding leader for the Vols on and off the field during his career, saving his best season for 2018. The Nashville, Tenn., native ranked second on the team in sacks (5.0) and tackles for loss (8.0), and finished third in tackles (56), while starting all 12 games this fall. He added a pick-six versus No. 1 Alabama, five quarterback hurries, four pass breakups, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery and one blocked kick to fill up the stat sheet in his final collegiate season.

For his career, Phillips finished with 114 tackles, 16 TFLs and eight sacks, while appearing in 41 games with 20 starts.

In addition to being named a permanent captain for the 2018 season, Phillips took home the Bill Majors Award and Defensive Player of the Year honors at the end-of-season team banquet.

Phillips collected SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week honors after logging a career-high nine tackles and forcing a fumble in a 30-24 victory at No. 21 Auburn on Sept. 13. Phillips was a semifinalist for the 2018 Campbell Trophy as well as the Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year Award, and grabbed Google Cloud Academic All-District honors.

Phillips graduated in three years with a degree in sports management and was a three-time member of the SEC Academic Honor Roll. He was named to the SEC Community Service Team in 2017 and traveled to Vietnam as a member of the 2016-17 VOLeaders Academy class.

 

UT Athletics

Kip Moore Extends “Room to Spare Acoustic Tour” Into 2019 With More Than 25 Dates

Kip Moore Extends “Room to Spare Acoustic Tour” Into 2019 With More Than 25 Dates

Posted on December 7, 2018

Kip Moore will extend his Room to Spare Acoustic Tour into 2019 with more than 25 dates, including stops in Chicago, Atlanta, Boston and more. The tour will also make four stops in the U.K. Charlie Worsham and Muscadine Bloodline will serve as support.

Tickets go on sale on Dec. 14 at 10 a.m. local time.

Kip released a new EP, Room to Spare: The Acoustic Sessions, on Nov. 16. The seven-song EP features six never-before-released songs, including five that were co-penned by Kip.

Room to Spare Acoustic Tour

  • March 7 | Chicago, IL | Copernicus Center**
  • March 8 | Carmel, IN | The Palladium**
  • March 9 | Bowling Green, KY | SKYPAC**
  • March 14 | Minneapolis, MN | The State Theatre*
  • March 15 | Ottumwa, IA | Bridge View Events Center*
  • March 16 | Springfield, MO | Gillioz Theatre*
  • March 21 | Morgantown, WV | The Metropolitan Theatre**
  • March 22 | Athens, OH | Memorial Auditorium**
  • March 23 | Richmond, VA | The National**
  • March 28 | Sacramento, CA | Crest Theatre**
  • March 29 | Santa Rosa, CA | Luther Burbank Center for the Arts**
  • March 30 | Hanford, CA – Fox Theatre**
  • April 18 | Moncton, NB | Capitol Theater
  • April 19 | Halifax, NS | Casino Nova Scotia
  • April 20 | Charlottetown, PEI | Confederation Centre of the Arts
  • April 25 | Atlanta, GA | The Buckhead Theatre**
  • April 26 | Macon, GA | The Grand Opera House**
  • April 27 | McMinnville, TN | Cumberland Caverns**
  • May 2 | Boston, MA | Wilbur Theatre**
  • May 3 | New Brunswick, NJ | State Theatre**
  • May 4 | Burlington, VT | Flynn Center**
  • May 9 | Ridgefield, CT | Ridgefield Playhouse**
  • May 10 | Portland, ME | The State Theatre**
  • May 11 | Glenside, PA | Keswick Theatre**
  • May 26 | Manchester, UK | Academy 2
  • May 27 | Glasgow, UK | Fruitmarket
  • May 29 | Birmingham, UK | Town Hall
  • May 30 | London, UK | Cadogan Hall

*Dates with Charlie Worsham
**Dates with Muscadine Bloodline

photo by Jason Simanek

Ring in the New Year in Nashville With Free Show Featuring Keith Urban, Brett Young, Peter Frampton & More

Ring in the New Year in Nashville With Free Show Featuring Keith Urban, Brett Young, Peter Frampton & More

Posted on December 7, 2018

You can ring in the New Year in Nashville with a free show featuring Keith Urban, Brett Young, Peter Frampton, Judah & the Lion, Caitlyn Smith, Devon Gilfillian and Fisk Jubilee Singers

The free event—dubbed the Jack Daniel’s Music City Midnight: New Year’s Eve in Nashville—will take place at the Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park (approximately one mile from the heart of downtown). This will be the fourth year that Keith headlines the event.

Gates will open at 4 p.m. CT on Dec. 31, followed by the raising of the Music Note (Nashville’s equivalent to NYC’s ball drop) to kick off the live music. The event will include the traditional Music Note Drop and accompanying fireworks display to ring in the New Year against the backdrop of the iconic State Capitol building and unique view of the Nashville skyline.

The Nashville show will be featured on NBC’s New Year’s Eve national broadcast from Times Square in New York, with hosts Carson Daly, Chrissy Teigen and Leslie Jones.

photo by Tammie Arroyo, AFF-USA.com

George Strait Drops Intoxicating New Song, “Código,” [Listen]

George Strait Drops Intoxicating New Song, “Código,” [Listen]

Posted on December 7, 2018

George Strait dropped an intoxicating new track, “Código,” on Dec. 7.

Penned by George, his son Bubba Strait and longtime collaborator Dean Dillion, “Código” references the tequila brand that George co-owns.

The tune is George’s first new music since 2015’s Cold Beer Conversation, his 29th studio album. George is currently working on new music that’s slated to be released in 2019.

2019 is lining up to be a busy year for the Cowboy—George has announced four Strait to Vegas shows (Feb. 1, Feb. 2, Aug. 23, Aug. 24) as well as dates at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on March 30, Buckeye Country Superfest in Columbus, Ohio, on June 8, and Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas, on Nov. 22. George will wrap 2018 with two Vegas shows on Dec. 7 and 8.

Listen to “Código” below.

photo by Curtis Hilbun / JpegFoto.com

Kelsea Ballerini, Maren Morris, Dan + Shay & More React to Their Grammy Nominations

Kelsea Ballerini, Maren Morris, Dan + Shay & More React to Their Grammy Nominations

Posted on December 7, 2018

After the nominations for the 61st Grammy Awards were revealed this morning, many country stars—including Kelsea Ballerini, Maren Morris, Dan + Shay and more—posted their reactions to the great news via social media. Check out some of the responses below, as we continue to update the page.

South Carolina Woman Loses $160,000 to Social Media Scammer Posing as Dierks Bentley

South Carolina Woman Loses $160,000 to Social Media Scammer Posing as Dierks Bentley

Posted on December 7, 2018

The Herald is reporting that a Rock Hill, S.C., woman has lost $160,000 to a social media scammer posing as Dierks Bentley.

According to the report, the woman has been sending cashier’s checks and gift cards to a person claiming to be Dierks for two years. The woman told police she met the suspect via Twitter and exchanged text messages.

Rock Hill authorities have determined the case will have to be investigated by federal authorities.

In June, more than 20 country stars united for a PSA to combat imposters on social media. Spearheaded by Blake Shelton—and posted on his YouTube page—the PSA includes appearances by Keith Urban, Lindsay Ell, Hunter Hayes, Kelly Clarkson, Maren Morris, Rascal Flatts, Dustin Lynch, Kip Moore, Jon Pardi, Jake Owen, Travis Denning, Brett Young, Maggie Rose, Trace Adkins, Old Dominion, Cale Dodds, Cole Swindell and Michael Ray.

The gist of the PSA: make sure to look for the blue verified check mark next to the name of the country star on their social media accounts and never give out any of your private information. These guys and gals don’t want—or need—you to send them any money.

photo by Tammie Arroyo, AFF-USA.com

2019 Grammy Nominees Include Kacey Musgraves, Chris Stapleton, Kelsea Ballerini, Maren Morris & More

2019 Grammy Nominees Include Kacey Musgraves, Chris Stapleton, Kelsea Ballerini, Maren Morris & More

Posted on December 7, 2018

Nominations for the 2019 Grammy Awards were announced this morning (Dec. 7).

In the all-genre categories, Kacey Musgraves picked up an Album of the Year nomination, while Margo Price and Luke Combs nabbed New Artist of the Year nominations. Maren Morris was nominated for Record of the Year for her collaboration with Zedd and Grey.

Kacey also earned nominations for Best Country Album, Best Country Solo Performance and Best Country Song.

Maren also earned nominations for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance, Best Country Solo Performance, Best Country Duo/Group Performance and Best Country Song.

Chris Stapleton copped three nominations for Best Country Solo Performance, Best Country Album and Best Pop Duo/Group Performance, while Brothers Osborne picked up two nominations for Best Country Album and Best Country Duo/Group Performance.

Willie Nelson earned nominations for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album and Best American Roots Performance. John Prine scored three nominations for Best Americana Album and Best American Roots Song (twice).

Check out the list of nominees in the world of country, bluegrass, Americana and roots, as well as the all-genre categories that feature country artists.

Album Of The Year
Award to Artist(s) and to Featured Artist(s), Songwriter(s) of new material, Producer(s), Recording Engineer(s), Mixer(s) and Mastering Engineer(s) credited with at least 33% playing time of the album, if other than Artist.

  • INVASION OF PRIVACY
    Cardi B
    Leslie Brathwaite & Evan LaRay, engineers/mixers; Belcalis Almanzar & Jorden Thorpe, songwriters; Colin Leonard, mastering engineer
  • BY THE WAY, I FORGIVE YOU
    Brandi Carlile
    Dave Cobb & Shooter Jennings, producers; Dave Cobb & Eddie Spear, engineers/mixers; Brandi Carlile, Phil Hanseroth & Tim Hanseroth, songwriters; Pete Lyman, mastering engineer
  • SCORPION
    Drake
    Noel Cadastre, Noel “Gadget” Campbell & Noah Shebib, engineers/mixers; Aubrey Graham & Noah Shebib, songwriters; Chris Athens, mastering engineer
  • H.E.R.
    H.E.R.
    Darhyl “Hey DJ” Camper Jr, H.E.R. & Jeff Robinson, producers; Miki Tsutsumi, engineer/mixer; Darhyl Camper Jr & H.E.R., songwriters; Dave Kutch, mastering engineer
  • BEERBONGS & BENTLEYS
    Post Malone
    Louis Bell & Post Malone, producers; Louis Bell & Manny Marroquin, engineers/mixers; Louis Bell & Austin Post, songwriters; Mike Bozzi, mastering engineer
  • DIRTY COMPUTER
    Janelle Monáe
    Chuck Lightning & Janelle Monáe Robinson & Nate “Rocket” Wonder, producers; Mick Guzauski, Janelle Monáe Robinson & Nate “Rocket” Wonder, engineers/mixers; Nathaniel Irvin III, Charles Joseph II, Taylor Parks & Janelle Monáe Robinson, songwriters; Dave Kutch, mastering engineer
  • GOLDEN HOUR
    Kacey Musgraves
    Ian Fitchuk, Kacey Musgraves & Daniel Tashian, producers; Craig Alvin & Shawn Everett, engineers/mixers; Ian Fitchuk, Kacey Musgraves & Daniel Tashian, songwriters; Greg Calbi & Steve Fallone, mastering engineers
  • BLACK PANTHER: THE ALBUM, MUSIC FROM AND INSPIRED BY
    (Various Artists)
    Kendrick Lamar, featured artist; Kendrick Duckworth & Sounwave, producers; Matt Schaeffer, engineer/mixer; Kendrick Duckworth & Mark Spears, songwriters; Mike Bozzi, mastering engineer

Record Of The Year
Award to the Artist and to the Producer(s), Recording Engineer(s) and/or Mixer(s) and mastering engineer(s), if other than the artist.

  • I LIKE IT
    Cardi B, Bad Bunny & J Balvin
    Invincible, JWhiteDidIt, Craig Kallman & Tainy, producers; Leslie Brathwaite & Evan LaRay, engineers/mixers; Colin Leonard, mastering engineer
  • THE JOKE
    Brandi Carlile
    Dave Cobb & Shooter Jennings, producers; Tom Elmhirst & Eddie Spear, engineers/mixers; Pete Lyman, mastering engineer
  • THIS IS AMERICA
    Childish Gambino
    Donald Glover & Ludwig Goransson, producers; Derek “MixedByAli” Ali & Riley Mackin, engineers/mixers; Mike Bozzi, mastering engineer
  • GOD’S PLAN
    Drake
    Boi-1Da, Cardo & Young Exclusive, producers; Noel Cadastre, Noel “Gadget” Campbell & Noah Shebib, engineers/mixers; Chris Athens, mastering engineer
  • SHALLOW
    Lady Gaga & Bradley Cooper
    Lady Gaga & Benjamin Rice, producers; Tom Elmhirst, engineer/mixer; Randy Merrill, mastering engineer
  • ALL THE STARS
    Kendrick Lamar & SZA
    Al Shux & Sounwave, producers; Sam Ricci & Matt Schaeffer, engineers/mixers; Mike Bozzi, mastering engineer
  • ROCKSTAR
    Post Malone Featuring 21 Savage
    Louis Bell & Tank God, producers; Louis Bell & Manny Marroquin, engineers/mixers; Mike Bozzi, mastering engineer
  • THE MIDDLE
    Zedd, Maren Morris & Grey
    Grey, Monsters & Strangerz & Zedd, producers; Grey, Tom Morris, Ryan Shanahan & Zedd, engineers/mixers; Mike Marsh, mastering engineer

Song Of The Year
A Songwriter(s) Award. A song is eligible if it was first released or if it first achieved prominence during the Eligibility Year. (Artist names appear in parentheses.) Singles or Tracks only.

  • ALL THE STARS
    Kendrick Duckworth, Solána Rowe, Al Shuckburgh, Mark Spears & Anthony Tiffith, songwriters (Kendrick Lamar & SZA)
  • BOO’D UP
    Larrance Dopson, Joelle James, Ella Mai & Dijon McFarlane, songwriters (Ella Mai)
  • GOD’S PLAN
    Aubrey Graham, Daveon Jackson, Brock Korsan, Ron LaTour, Matthew Samuels & Noah Shebib, songwriters (Drake)
  • IN MY BLOOD
    Teddy Geiger, Scott Harris, Shawn Mendes & Geoffrey Warburton, songwriters (Shawn Mendes)
  • THE JOKE
    Brandi Carlile, Dave Cobb, Phil Hanseroth & Tim Hanseroth, songwriters (Brandi Carlile)
  • THE MIDDLE
    Sarah Aarons, Jordan K. Johnson, Stefan Johnson, Marcus Lomax, Kyle Trewartha, Michael Trewartha & Anton Zaslavski, songwriters (Zedd, Maren Morris & Grey)
  • SHALLOW
    Lady Gaga, Mark Ronson, Anthony Rossomando & Andrew Wyatt, songwriters (Lady Gaga & Bradley Cooper)
  • THIS IS AMERICA
    Donald Glover & Ludwig Goransson, songwriters (Childish Gambino)

Best New Artist
An artist will be considered for Best New Artist if their eligibility year release/s achieved a breakthrough into the public consciousness and notably impacted the musical landscape.

  • CHLOE X HALLE
  • LUKE COMBS
  • GRETA VAN FLEET
  • H.E.R.
  • DUA LIPA
  • MARGO PRICE
  • BEBE REXHA
  • JORJA SMITH

Best Pop Duo/Group Performance
For new vocal or instrumental duo/group or collaborative pop recordings. Singles or Tracks only.

  • FALL IN LINE
    Christina Aguilera Featuring Demi Lovato
  • DON’T GO BREAKING MY HEART
    Backstreet Boys
  • ‘S WONDERFUL
    Tony Bennett & Diana Krall
  • SHALLOW
    Lady Gaga & Bradley Cooper
  • GIRLS LIKE YOU
    Maroon 5 Featuring Cardi B
  • SAY SOMETHING
    Justin Timberlake Featuring Chris Stapleton
  • THE MIDDLE
    Zedd, Maren Morris & Grey

Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album
For albums containing at least 51% playing time of new traditional pop recordings.

  • LOVE IS HERE TO STAY
    Tony Bennett & Diana Krall
  • MY WAY
    Willie Nelson
  • NAT “KING” COLE & ME
    Gregory Porter
  • STANDARDS (DELUXE)
    Seal
  • THE MUSIC…THE MEM’RIES…THE MAGIC!
    Barbra Streisand

Best Country Solo Performance
For new vocal or instrumental solo country recordings.

  • WOULDN’T IT BE GREAT?
    Loretta Lynn
  • MONA LISAS AND MAD HATTERS
    Maren Morris
  • BUTTERFLIES
    Kacey Musgraves
  • MILLIONAIRE
    Chris Stapleton
  • PARALLEL LINE
    Keith Urban

Best Country Duo/Group Performance
For new vocal or instrumental duo/group or collaborative country recordings.

  • SHOOT ME STRAIGHT
    Brothers Osborne
  • TEQUILA
    Dan + Shay
  • WHEN SOMEONE STOPS LOVING YOU
    Little Big Town
  • DEAR HATE
    Maren Morris Featuring Vince Gill
  • MEANT TO BE
    Bebe Rexha & Florida Georgia Line

Best Country Song
A Songwriter(s) Award. A song is eligible if it was first released or if it first achieved prominence during the Eligibility Year. (Artist names appear in parentheses.) Singles or Tracks only.

  • BREAK UP IN THE END
    Jessie Jo Dillon, Chase McGill & Jon Nite, songwriters (Cole Swindell)
  • DEAR HATE
    Tom Douglas, David Hodges & Maren Morris, songwriters (Maren Morris Featuring Vince Gill)
  • I LIVED IT
    Rhett Akins, Ross Copperman, Ashley Gorley & Ben Hayslip, songwriters (Blake Shelton)
  • SPACE COWBOY
    Luke Laird, Shane McAnally & Kacey Musgraves, songwriters (Kacey Musgraves)
  • TEQUILA
    Nicolle Galyon, Jordan Reynolds & Dan Smyers, songwriters (Dan + Shay)
  • WHEN SOMEONE STOPS LOVING YOU
    Hillary Lindsey, Chase McGill & Lori McKenna, songwriters (Little Big Town)

Best Country Album
For albums containing at least 51% playing time of new country recordings.

  • UNAPOLOGETICALLY
    Kelsea Ballerini
  • PORT SAINT JOE
    Brothers Osborne
  • GIRL GOING NOWHERE
    Ashley McBryde
  • GOLDEN HOUR
    Kacey Musgraves
  • FROM A ROOM: VOLUME 2
    Chris Stapleton

Best American Roots Performance
For new vocal or instrumental American Roots recordings. This is for performances in the style of any of the subgenres encompassed in the American Roots Music field including Americana, bluegrass, blues, folk or regional roots. Award to the artist(s).

  • KICK ROCKS
    Sean Ardoin
  • SAINT JAMES INFIRMARY BLUES
    Jon Batiste
  • THE JOKE
    Brandi Carlile
  • ALL ON MY MIND
    Anderson East
  • LAST MAN STANDING
    Willie Nelson

Best American Roots Song
A Songwriter(s) Award. Includes Americana, bluegrass, traditional blues, contemporary blues, folk or regional roots songs. A song is eligible if it was first released or if it first achieved prominence during the Eligibility Year. (Artist names appear in parentheses.) Singles or Tracks only.

  • ALL THE TROUBLE
    Waylon Payne, Lee Ann Womack & Adam Wright, songwriters (Lee Ann Womack)
  • BUILD A BRIDGE
    Jeff Tweedy, songwriter (Mavis Staples)
  • THE JOKE
    Brandi Carlile, Dave Cobb, Phil Hanseroth & Tim Hanseroth, songwriters (Brandi Carlile)
  • KNOCKIN’ ON YOUR SCREEN DOOR
    Pat McLaughlin & John Prine, songwriters (John Prine)
  • SUMMER’S END
    Pat McLaughlin & John Prine, songwriters (John Prine)

Best Americana Album
For albums containing at least 51% playing time of new vocal or instrumental Americana recordings.

  • BY THE WAY, I FORGIVE YOU
    Brandi Carlile
  • THINGS HAVE CHANGED
    Bettye LaVette
  • THE TREE OF FORGIVENESS
    John Prine
  • THE LONELY, THE LONESOME & THE GONE
    Lee Ann Womack
  • ONE DROP OF TRUTH
    The Wood Brothers

Best Bluegrass Album
For albums containing at least 51% playing time of new vocal or instrumental bluegrass recordings.

  • PORTRAITS IN FIDDLES
    Mike Barnett
  • SISTER SADIE II
    Sister Sadie
  • RIVERS AND ROADS
    Special Consensus
  • THE TRAVELIN’ MCCOURYS
    The Travelin’ McCourys
  • NORTH OF DESPAIR
    Wood & Wire
Watch the Oak Ridge Boys Perform “Amazing Grace” at President George H. W. Bush’s Funeral

Watch the Oak Ridge Boys Perform “Amazing Grace” at President George H. W. Bush’s Funeral

Posted on December 6, 2018

Approximately 1,200 guests attended President George H. W. Bush’s funeral at St. Martin’s Episcopal Church in Houston on Dec. 6 to bid farewell to the 41st president, including the Oak Ridge Boys, who performed an a capella rendition of “Amazing Grace” after making a lighthearted joke that President Bush considered himself to be a good bass singer.

“We first sang for him in October of 1983 on the lawn of the White House when he was vice president, and he said, ‘Fellas,’ he always called us fellas, ‘Would you sing me a few songs, I’m a big fan,” said the Oaks’ Joe Bonsall before the performance. “For decades we have sang for him. And this is, again, a real honor to be here. What a lot of people may not know is he fancied himself to be a good bass singer—he was not. We’ll sing for our president.”

Watch the Oaks’ performance below.

photo by Tammie Arroyo, AFF-USA.com

Watch Reba McEntire Sing the “Lord’s Prayer” at President George H. W. Bush’s Funeral

Watch Reba McEntire Sing the “Lord’s Prayer” at President George H. W. Bush’s Funeral

Posted on December 6, 2018

Approximately 1,200 guests attended President George H. W. Bush’s funeral at St. Martin’s Episcopal Church in Houston on Dec. 6 to bid farewell to the 41st president, including Reba McEntire, who sang the “Lord’s Prayer.”

“It was an honor and privilege to sing at President George H.W. Bush’s funeral this morning,” said Reba via Twitter. “He was a great friend and leader and I will never forget the time we shared together.”

Watch Reba’s performance below.

photo by Tammie Arroyo, AFF-USA.com

Jimmy’s blog: UT staring at another 5-7 record unless line of scrimmage improves

Jimmy’s blog: UT staring at another 5-7 record unless line of scrimmage improves

Posted on December 6, 2018

By Jimmy Hyams

When I evaluate a coaching performance, I examine the team’s ceiling, then how many times that team came close to reaching that pinnacle.

In the case of Tennessee, the Vols were at their best with a win at ranked Auburn and a home win over ranked Kentucky.

Tennessee executed well in many facets in those two games.

How many other times did UT play near its peak?

Maybe South Carolina.

On six occasions, Tennessee didn’t play well at all – the six defeats by at least 25 points. The Vols also underperformed in a 14-3 win over Charlotte for homecoming.

Tennessee did OK in wins over ETSU and UTEP.

Thus, only three times out of 12 did Tennessee perform at a level close to its potential.

That doesn’t make me inclined to say a team that went from 4-8 to 5-7 overachieved – not when the 4-8 team grossly underachieved.

I’ll be the first to acknowledge the offensive line was an albatross. But UT coached around it in moving the ball effectively against Auburn, Kentucky and South Carolina with a sharp passing game and a more imaginative run game – and yes, you can be creative in your run game.

It’s those seven games where UT was blown out or played poorly that concern me.

That’s more than 50% of your games.

Tennessee had some injuries, but not as many as the previous two years. It was playing with 30 four or five star players most of the season.

Its recruiting ranking the last five years added up to an average of 13; Vanderbilt’s was 51. Yet, it looked like the Commodores had more talent, right?

How is that possible?

Perhaps it’s because Derek Mason has been at Vandy five years and Jeremy Pruitt was in his maiden voyage as a head coach.

Whatever the reason, I expected Tennessee to play better this season and be more competitive against Florida and Missouri and Vanderbilt.

If UT was a tired team in late November, why weren’t Missouri and Vanderbilt?

Did Pruitt practice the team too hard in November, trying to establish his culture of toughness?

Were players worn late out because they had not practiced hard under Butch Jones the last two or three years?

Did the team lack mental toughness, leading to fatigue?

Tennessee had enough talent to be at least a .500 team at quarterback, running back, receiver, tight end, defensive line and linebacker.

It did not along the offensive line or secondary. When two true freshmen start early in the season, that’s an indictment on players who have been in the program for at least two years. And while I think Bryce Thompson, Trey Flowers and Alontae Taylor will be good players, playing as a freshman was certainly a learning experience.

Can Tennessee improve on its 5-7 record next year? Maybe, but I wouldn’t chalk up BYU and UAB in the win column.

UT won’t be any better next year if it doesn’t improve along the line of scrimmage. The offensive line can be better if … Trey Smith returns, Brandon Kennedy plays well at center and Wanya Morris is a stud who can play at or near the level of Smith when Smith was a true freshman.

The defensive line loses three senior starters who each had their best season in 2018: Kyle Phillips, Shy Tuttle, Alexis Johnson.

Backups contributed very little.

So how can you expect the defensive line to be better?

That’s why I see another 5-7 season for the Vols, unless the 2019 recruiting class is outstanding.

Tennessee needs more speed, more strength, more athleticism and more mental toughness to show improvement over this past season.

Can the 2019 recruiting class provide all of that?

Sponsored by Big Kahuna Wings: The wings that changed it all

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