Jimmy’s blog: Kirkland departure underscores reason to move players around

Jimmy’s blog: Kirkland departure underscores reason to move players around

Posted on May 25, 2018

By Jimmy Hyams

Tennessee coach Jeremy Pruitt made about a dozen position changes during spring practice.

He moved a running back to cornerback, a receiver to cornerback, a receiver to corner then safety then back to receiver. He moved several defensive linemen to offensive line. He moved a tight end to linebacker, a linebacker to tight end.

Pruitt’s reasoning was two-fold: 1. Find the best position for the player, and, 2. build depth.

“The big thing is, we’re trying to figure out who our best football players are and we’re trying to figure out what their strengths and weaknesses are,’’ Pruitt said.

“At linebacker, you’ll have guys that play inside backer and they’ll also have the ability to play outside backer. So if you have injuries, it’s an opportunity to create depth.’’

Or if you have defections.

Tennessee had a surprising defection Thursday night when Darrin Kirkland Jr., considered one of the team’s better defenders, announced he was leaving Tennessee. He will be a grad transfer with two years of eligibility remaining. He sat out last season with a knee injury and missed about half of the 2016 season due to injury.

Filling Kirkland’s shoes won’t be easy. Daniel Bituli and Quart’e Sapp are the likely starters at inside linebacker, if UT does indeed run a 3-4. Will Ignont is probably the next best inside backer. Or maybe it will be freshman J.J. Peterson.

Kirkland’s departure is an example of why Pruitt moves players around to build depth.

Pruitt didn’t just try to find backers who could play inside or out. He looked for defensive backs who could play corner or safety. And there was more.

“We actually had some guys that changed sides of the ball,’’ Pruitt said.

“So, we’re just trying to create value in them and it probably helps them learn the entire system.’’

Is there a chance Pruitt could make more position changes based on what he saw during the spring game.

“There’s probably some guys that are going to be moved that have no idea that they’re going to be moved,’’ Pruitt said in an interview on SportsTalk, WMNL radio. “So, we’ll have to see where that goes this summer and fall.’’

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

Luke Bryan Announces Cities and Dates for 10th Annual Farm Tour

Luke Bryan Announces Cities and Dates for 10th Annual Farm Tour

Posted on May 25, 2018

Luke Bryan announced that his 10th annual Farm Tour will visit six cities this fall. The tour will make stops at farms in Ohio, Illinois, Iowa, Florida, South Carolina and Georgia between Sept. 27–Oct. 6.

Over the years, Luke has awarded more than 50 college scholarships to local students from farming families within the communities the tour has played.

“I can’t believe we’ve been doing this 10 years.” said Luke. “Our goal was to bring big-city production concerts into these small towns across the U.S. giving those communities the opportunity to attend shows that would never come their way.”

Tickets for the this year’s Farm Tour go on sale on June 6 at 10 a.m. local time. Presale tickets for Luke’s Fan Club (the Nut House), Luke’s official App and Citi® card members begin on June 1 at 10 a.m. local time.

Luke Bryan Farm Tour 2018

Sept. 27 – Irwin, OH – Springfork Farms
Sept. 28 – Pesotum, IL – Atkins Farm
Sept. 29 – Boone, IA – Ziel Farm
Oct. 4 – Archer, FL – Whitehurst Cattle Company
Oct. 5 – North Augusta, SC – Misty Morning Farms
Oct. 6 – Ringgold, GA – Doug Yates Farms

photo by Jason Simanek

Eli Young Band’s Emotionally Charged Video for “Love Ain’t” Follows the Love Story of a Wounded Warrior & His Soulmate [Watch]

Eli Young Band’s Emotionally Charged Video for “Love Ain’t” Follows the Love Story of a Wounded Warrior & His Soulmate [Watch]

Posted on May 25, 2018

Eli Young Band released an emotionally charged video for their new single, “Love Ain’t.”

The new clip follows the love story of Taylor Morris—an explosive ordnance disposal technician with the Navy who became a quadruple amputee after an explosion in Afghanistan in 2012—and his girlfriend of more than a decade, Danielle, who remained by Taylor’s side.

The inspiring clip features personal videos of Taylor’s rehab, his 2013 homecoming in Cedar Falls, Iowa, and marriage to Danielle.

“We first learned about Taylor and Danielle a couple of years ago, and there is no doubt their story speaks to what love is,” says EYB frontman Mike Eli. “When thinking about their story and the deeper meaning in this song—how important love is and to know what love ain’t—we knew the video should reflect that. [Band members] James, Chris, Jon and I all have family members who are part of the military so we know there are more couples struggling every day and how quickly lives are changed.”

Eli Young Band teamed with Wounded Warrior Project for the video to help bring to light the growing needs of servicemen and women, their families and caregivers. You can help support Wounded Warriors by making a donation today.

Watch the video for “Love Ain’t” below.

photo courtesy of Triple 8 Management

“My Video Is Totally Awesome” Podcast: Aaron Tippin’s 1995 No. 1 Hit, “That’s as Close as I’ll Get to Loving You”

“My Video Is Totally Awesome” Podcast: Aaron Tippin’s 1995 No. 1 Hit, “That’s as Close as I’ll Get to Loving You”

Posted on May 25, 2018

On this episode of the My Video Is Totally Awesome Podcast, NCD editor in chief Jim Casey sits down with Aaron Tippin to talk about the video for his 1995 No. 1 hit, “That’s as Close as I’ll Get to Loving You.”

Check out the video breakdown below, as well as the full video.

0:04aaron-tippin-tbt-scenes-01

First of all, you’ll notice the video is in black and white. Why? Because this is the Casablanca of ’90s country music videos—full of angst and unrequited love. Now, back to the play-by-play. This is our first glimpse of what we assume to be a rich poindexter (notice his big house, nerdy glasses and suspenders). Also, notice his smoking-hot wife, who is wearing a bathrobe because she doesn’t have to go to work. Must be a nice life.

0:11aaron-tippin-tbt-scenes-02

Take a gander at the yard help—yep, it’s Aaron Tippin with his glorious mustache, flannel shirt and tool belt. And yes, he is wearing an undershirt (just a little foreshadowing).

0:18aaron-tippin-tbt-scenes-03

Aaron waves to the poindexter, as if to say, “Don’t worry about me sleeping with your wife while you’re at work.”

0:19aaron-tippin-tbt-scenes-04

The poindexter waves back, not the least concerned with Aaron’s rugged masculinity impressing his wife while he’s gone.

0:25aaron-tippin-tbt-scenes-05

Aaron makes eye contact with the smoking-hot wife, and gives her a head nod. He’s just here to clean the yard and such.

0:26aaron-tippin-tbt-scenes-06

The smoking-hot wife is impressed. But who wouldn’t be?

0:36aaron-tippin-tbt-scenes-07

A sweaty Aaron finds refuge in his fortress of solitude: the tool shed, where he has stripped down to his A-shirt, as these old-fashioned sleeveless numbers are called, and is reverse-seated in a chair—because that’s how a badass sits in a chair. He also begins to sing about his unrequited love.

0:44aaron-tippin-tbt-scenes-08

Aaron cuts a little lumber with a circular saw. Nothing to see here, or is there?

0:50aaron-tippin-tbt-scenes-x1

Now it’s time to water the trees.

1:03aaron-tippin-tbt-scenes-09

The smoking-hot wife is joined by her smoking-hot friends (who are also unemployed) for a day of relaxing under the pergola and sipping beverages. Perhaps the sweaty yard boy (or is it yard man?) would like a sip.

1:44aaron-tippin-tbt-scenes-10

Indeed, Aaron is thirsty, and the beverage is most appreciated. If only there was a way he could more appropriately thank her. But remember, Aaron waved at the poindexter earlier, and his wave is much like his handshake—a bond that won’t be broken.

1:51aaron-tippin-tbt-scenes-11

Aaron does a little bit of stalking from his fortress of solitude.

No harm, no foul.

1:57aaron-tippin-straw

Unnecessary close-up of the smoking-hot wife drinking from a straw. This was the ’90s, and straws were considered very sexy.

2:16aaron-tippin-tbt-scenes-13

Back in the yard, Aaron displays more of his rugged masculinity by swinging a pickaxe. He’s sweaty…very sweaty.

2:32aaron-tippin-tbt-scenes-14

Smoking-hot wife is also sweaty. It’s time for a dip in the pool. Is Aaron invited?

Find out in 11 seconds.

2:43aaron-tippin-tbt-scenes-15

He is not invited.

Back in the tool shed, a glistening Aaron now stands from his seated position and wails.

We all feel his pain.

2:55aaron-tippin-tbt-scenes-16

To everyone’s disappointment, poindexter returns home from work to see that his wife has not been ravaged by Aaron.

3:18aaron-tippin-tbt-scenes-17

It’s time for Aaron to go home—just a man, his mustache and his muscles. Surely he finds solace in a hard day’s work.

Oh, he does, he surely does.

Watch the Video in Full

Big Orange Caravan Makes Final Stop in Kingsport

Big Orange Caravan Makes Final Stop in Kingsport

Posted on May 24, 2018
Phillip Fulmer – Vols AD / Credit: UT Athletics

KINGSPORT, Tenn. – The Big Orange Caravan made its fifth and final stop in Kingsport on Thursday night, the most attended stop of the event’s 2018 tour.

Director of Athletics Phillip Fulmer, head football coach Jeremy Pruitt, head men’s basketball coach Rick Barnes and head women’s basketball coach Holly Warlick were all in attendance, signing autographs and posing for pictures with fans in addition to taking part in a Q&A session with “Voice of the Vols” Bob Kesling.

Also in attendance was former Tennessee quarterback Heath Shuler, letterman from 1991-1993. Shuler joined Kesling on stage and offered up his thoughts on the recent hires of his former head coach as the new director of athletics.

“These are exciting times when you think about the rich tradition at Tennessee,” Shuler said. “When Phillip Fulmer was announced as the new athletic director at Tennessee, I had the same exact feeling that I did when we won the national championship.

“It’s a sense of peace and leadership put back into the program that we’ve needed.”

Shuler also applauded new head football coach Jeremy Pruitt, whom he has been able to spend some time with in recent weeks.

“You have a lot of excitement when you look at his work ethic, the players he’s coached, how he’s recruited, and really the coaching staff that he’s put around him,” Shuler said. “I couldn’t be more excited about the future of this program and the path that we’re on.”

The Sullivan and Washington County Alumni Chapters awarded two scholarships at the event to rising UT freshmen Kennedi Hambrick (Washington County’s recipient) and Grant Wilmoth (Sullivan County’s recipient).

“I’m very thankful because this will help with paying tuition and everything else that I need,” Hambrick said. “It’s great to be a Vol and to be able to go to UT and support the school”

Added Wilmoth: “Receiving this scholarship means a lot. It’s such an honor to be able to represent the UTK Alumni Association, and the scholarship is very helpful in paying for college.”

UT Athletics
Darrin Kirkland Jr announces he’s transferring; what happens now at LB?

Darrin Kirkland Jr announces he’s transferring; what happens now at LB?

Posted on May 24, 2018

By Vince Ferrara / @VinceSports

Tennessee redshirt junior linebacker Darrin Kirkland Jr (6’1, 238) announced on Thursday that he is transferring from the University of Tennessee.

Darrin Kirkland Jr. / Credit: UT Athletics

Kirkland, an Indianapolis native, missed his junior season in 2017 due to injuries. Injuries played a part in shortening his sophomore season as well, when he played in 8 games with 6 starts. He was not as effective when returning from injury in 2016. Admittedly, he wasn’t fully healthy until before last season when he suffered another injury set-back that kept him out for the entire season..

An all-SEC selection as a freshman, Kirkland played in 13 games including 10 starts on John Jancek’s defense in 2015. He finished second among SEC freshmen in tackles (66) and fourth among freshmen all-time at UT.

In two playing seasons, Kirkland finished with 21 games played (tied for the most among Vols linebackers with Daniel Bituli.) He started 16 games in his time in the orange and white. That’s by far the most among UT’s LBs. The next most experienced starters are Daniel Bituli and Quart’e Sapp who’ve started 8 games at UT. Kirkland totaled 111 tackles in his career, 11.5 tackles for loss, 4 sacks, 2 passes defensed, 1 fumble recovery and 1 interception.

Purdue (his home state of Indiana near Indianapolis,) North Carolina (former UT coaches Tommy Thigpen and Robert Gillespie on staff there now,) Michigan (one-time commit before switching to Tennessee,) Kentucky (former DC John Jancek is there as a consultant) and Mississippi State (former DC Bob Shoop is now the DC there) could be potential landing spots for Kirkland Jr.. That’s purely initial connecting of the dots though. Kirkland will likely have no shortage of suitors. If healthy, he may have been the Vols’ best linebacker this upcoming season. He could be an impact starter for his new team, again, if healthy.

Here’s hoping Jeremy Pruitt gives him full clearance to go where he wants as a graduate transfer.

Darrin Kirkland Jr. / Credit: UT Athletics

Vince’s View

So what does Tennessee do to replace one of the expected starting inside linebackers?

First off, there are now 12 scholarship linebackers left on the team. They have enough numbers, but they lack experience and the quality is still a question mark. The 12 remaining returning linebackers only have 24 career starts among them. 7 of those starts are by converted defensive end Darrell Taylor. As mentioned above, Bituli and Sapp have started 8 games, while Austin Smith has started 1 game.

Daniel Bituli strengthens his hold on one inside LB spot, if healthy. Quart’e Sapp practiced at first-team ILB in the Spring, but he’s still a little undersized to what they ideally want inside. Sapp is smart, can run and could continue to add weight as he already has. Coming out of Spring practice, I believed Sapp was going to be moved back to outside linebacker in the Fall with the return of Kirkland Jr and Bituli inside. That may still happen, if they can find a second inside linebacker to pair with Bituli. Sophomore Will Ignont is a possibility. He played in five games as a freshman last season. He also saw an increased workload with Kirkland Jr and Bituli out for most of the Spring. He started for the first team defense alongside Sapp at ILB in the Orange and White Spring game.

Another name to watch is incoming true freshman LB JJ Peterson. He’s big (last listed at 6’2, 231 but could be bigger by Fall,) physical and athletic. I think he fits the mold of what Pruitt wants in a versatile linebacker that can run. He’s a four-for-four guy as Pruitt has phrased LBs that can play all four positions. I already thought Peterson would shoot up the depth chart quickly before the Kirkland departure. I think this presents an even quicker opportunity for the high 4-star, near 5-star from Moultrie, Georgia.

We’ll never know what Kirkland would have looked like in Pruitt’s defense. This transfer thins another position that actually had some potential to be pretty good this year on paper. Maybe it still will be pretty good, but new “best football players” will need to emerge and show-out to Pruitt and his staff.

Listen to Dwight Yoakam’s New Tune, “Then Here Came Monday,” Co-Penned by Chris Stapleton

Listen to Dwight Yoakam’s New Tune, “Then Here Came Monday,” Co-Penned by Chris Stapleton

Posted on May 24, 2018

In Dwight Yoakam’s 30-plus-year career as a high-grade, hardcore, honky-tonkin’, musical maverick, he hasn’t recorded too many songs he co-wrote with other artists. He’s covered a lot of songs other artists have written, but generally speaking, he wrote the majority of his singles by himself.

Of course there are exceptions, like “It Only Hurts When I Cry,” which he co-penned with Roger Miller, and cuts like “It’s Never Alright,” which he co-penned with Ashley Monroe. My point is, it’s big deal when Dwight co-writes with other artists, as least from a fan’s perspective—which I most certainly am.

Chris Stapleton can add his name to small list of artists Dwight has invited into his writing sanctuary.

The pair co-penned “Then Here Came Monday,” which will be available for streaming on May 25, along with another new tune from Dwight, “Pretty Horses.”

The release of the new music comes as Dwight gears up for his LSD Tour with Steve Earle and Lucinda Williams. The 20-date tour kicks off on June 12 in Boston and makes stops in New York, L.A., Nashville and more.

Listen to “Then Here Came Monday” below.

photo by Jim Casey

Hit Songwriter Adam Sanders Is Chasing That Neon Rainbow Like His Hero Alan Jackson

Hit Songwriter Adam Sanders Is Chasing That Neon Rainbow Like His Hero Alan Jackson

Posted on May 24, 2018

Singer/songwriter Adam Sanders, 27, grew up doing what kids in the small town of Lake City, Fla., did—namely spend time with family, go to church, hunt, play sports and listen to country music. Those five pillars from his youth—faith, family, outdoors, fitness and music—are what drive Adam today as he works toward reaching the next level of country stardom.

Just like his hero Alan Jackson did in 1979, Adam packed his bags and moved to Nashville after high school in 2009 to “chase that neon rainbow.” Over the last nine years, Adam has found more than his share of success as a songwriter, penning tunes for Cole Swindell (“Ain’t Worth the Whiskey”), Dustin Lynch (“Hell of a Night”), Dierks Bentley (“Sounds of Summer”) and more.

With a new six-song self-titled EP, which dropped on May 11, Adam is hoping to channel his inner AJ in more ways than one, including on his new song, “Alan Jackson,” which tells the amusing story of a guy trying to win back his girlfriend with a little help from the Hall of Famer’s musical catalog.

“Growing up, the first songs I learned and sang were Alan Jackson songs,” says Adam to NCD. “His music has had an amazing influence on me. The new song is just an upbeat number that pays tribute to him . . . I’ve already got the video mapped out in my head.”

Alan, if you’re out there reading this, Adam needs a cameo from you.

“Having Alan Jackson in the video would be a dream come true,” says Adam. “Can you imagine me showing up at the girl’s house at the end with Alan Jackson in my car? If Alan can’t get the girl back, no one can.”

While Adam is currently pushing the EP’s new single, “Over Did It,” you can check out “Alan Jackson” below.

Vols to Host West Virginia for SEC/Big 12 Challenge

Vols to Host West Virginia for SEC/Big 12 Challenge

Posted on May 24, 2018
Credit: UT Athletics

Not only is the Tennessee football team facing West Virginia this fall, the Volunteers’ basketball team is hosting the Mountaineers on the hardwood this winter as part of the 2019 SEC/Big 12 Challenge on Jan. 26.

The 2019 SEC/Big 12 Challenge marks the event’s sixth year. Tennessee is 3-1 in the event, as the Vols did not take part in the inaugural challenge. Four of the SEC’s 14 teams are idle during the challenge each year because there are only 10 teams in the Big 12.

Other challenge matchups set for Jan. 26 are: Alabama at Baylor, Arkansas at Texas Tech, Florida at TCU, Texas at Georgia, Kansas at Kentucky, Iowa State at Ole Miss, South Carolina at Oklahoma State, Kansas State at Texas A&M and Vanderbilt at Oklahoma.

Four of the 10 games will be televised on ESPN, four will be shown on ESPN2 and two games will air on ESPNU. All 10 games also will be available on the ESPN app. ESPN’s College GameDay Covered by State Farm–the Saturday roadshow that discusses the top storylines of the college basketball season–will originate from one of the challenge games. Tipoff times and network designations will be announced at a later date.

The SEC won the challenge for the first time last season (6-4), with Tennessee contributing to the league’s successful showing by dismantling Iowa State on the road.

The Volunteers are 3-5 all-time against West Virginia, including a 1-2 mark in Knoxville. The programs haven’t met since Nov. 23, 2007, when the seventh-ranked Vols defeated the Mountaineers, 74-72, at the Legends Classic in Newark, New Jersey.

Tennessee’s all-time record against current members of the Big 12 stands at 13-17. Fourth-year UT head coach Rick Barnes—who spent 17 seasons coaching in the Big 12 before transitioning to Knoxville—owns a 159-94 record against current Big 12 teams and is 8-4 in his career against West Virginia.

Barnes (661 wins) and WVU head coach Bob Huggins (759 wins) rank seventh and fourth, respectively, in Division I wins among active head coaches.

Last season, West Virginia posted a 26-11 (11-7 Big 12) record and advanced to the Sweet Sixteen. It was the program’s third Sweet Sixteen appearance in the last four years.

Tennessee’s gridiron matchup against West Virginia—billed as the Belk College Kickoff—takes place Sept. 1 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina. It is the season-opener for both teams, and the first-ever football meeting between the programs.

 

UT Athletics

Kenny Chesney Captures the Positivity of Trip Around the Sun Tour in New Video for “Get Along”

Kenny Chesney Captures the Positivity of Trip Around the Sun Tour in New Video for “Get Along”

Posted on May 24, 2018

Using documentary-style footage from the kick-off of his recent Trip Around the Sun Tour, Kenny Chesney dropped a new video for his current single, “Get Along.”

Penned by Shane McAnally, Ross Copperman and Josh Osborne, the mid-tempo tune beckons listeners to live the Kenny lifestyle with lyrics like “buy a boat, drink a beer, sing a song, make a friend.” Using video footage from his fans—affectionately dubbed the No Shoes Nation—Kenny is hoping the song’s positive theme will help folks find common ground during divisive times.

“The whole point of the song is to look for your common ground instead of worrying about your differences,” Kenny says. “And when I look out into the crowd, that’s what I see—people who are having a great time, getting along and making the most of every single minute.”

Kenny’s new single is the first song from his upcoming 17th studio album, Songs for the Saints, which drops on July 27.

Kenny’s Trip Around the Sun Tour continues through August.

Watch the video for “Get Along” below.

photo by AFF-USA.com

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