ARLINGTON, Texas – Tennessee running back John Kelly was selected by the Los Angeles Rams with 176th pick overall in the sixth round of the 2018 NFL Draft on Saturday at AT&T Stadium.
Kelly joins 2017 NFL Rookie of the Year Alvin Kamara of the New Orleans Saints as VFL running backs drafted in consecutive years. Kamara was selected by the Saints with the 67th pick in the third round a year ago.
Kelly, who is the 58th Vol running back selected all time and the eighth since 2000, marks the 14th Tennessee player to be drafted by the Rams and is the first since cornerback Jonathan Wade was selected in the third round of the 2007 draft.
Utilizing a ferocious, tackle-breaking style, Kelly had a breakout junior campaign in his first year as a starter in 2017, leading the Vols in rushing (778 yards) and receptions (37) in 11 games. The Detroit, Mich., native scored nine touchdowns for the Vols and opened the season with 128 yards and four touchdowns in a double overtime win over Georgia Tech. For his career, Kelly rushed for 1,573 yards and 15 touchdowns, while averaging 4.8 yards per carry. Kelly added 43 receptions for 350 yards. He played in 33 games with 12 starts.
He finished with five career 100-yard games, including a 141-yard performance at Florida in 2017.
Kelly is the 24th Vol selected in the NFL Draft since 2010 and the 356th Vol drafted all-time.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – It’s been a whirlwind 12 hours for Tennessee defensive back Rashaan Gaulden after he was selected by the Carolina Panthers with the No. 85 pick in the third round of the 2018 NFL Draft.
Gaulden, who is the highest drafted Vol DB since Eric Berry went No. 5 overall in 2010, was watching his hometown Nashville Predators playoff game on Friday night when he received the call from the Panthers.
“When I got the call I was in my room,” Gaulden said before boarding his flight to Charlotte on Saturday morning. “I was watching the Predators game and flipping back and forth between the ‘Preds’ and the Cavs game. I saw the 704 area code pop up on my phone and I thought ‘this is the Panthers.’
“I went downstairs and told my family about it. I talked to the coaches. They gave me a plan. I’m very excited.”
Gaulden will tour the Panthers’ facilities and be introduced by the team later on Saturday. He spent most the week in Dallas for the NFLPA Rookie Debut event before flying back to Nashville to spend the draft with his family.
Panthers general manager Marty Hurney said Gaulden will compete at safety for the NFL squad. The versatile defensive back played nickel back and cornerback in addition to safety during his career at Tennessee.
“I think Carolina is the best fit for me,” Gaulden said. “They will utilize my skillset in the best way possible. I’m just excited to get up there.”
Gaulden said he was “calm” heading into the draft and he kept his cool on Friday by watching sports and waiting for a call he was expecting to get.
“I was definitely expecting to get picked on Friday night,” he said. “It just depended on where. In recent interviews I had said I wasn’t going to pay too much attention to the draft, but I would have my phone on me.”
Gaulden is also excited to reunite with former Tennessee defensive line coach and interim head coach Brady Hoke, who is now the defensive line coach for the Panthers.
“I have a really good relationship with Coach Hoke, who was our defensive line coach,” Gaulden said. “Having him on staff makes me feel very comfortable as well as the other great coaches they have around there and the players. I was very excited to receive the call from them.
“Carolina is an awesome team in a great city.”
Known to be the ultimate competitor among his teammates on Rocky Top, Gaulden can’t wait to start his professional career.
“It’s been wild,” Gaulden said as he boarded the plane headed for his new employer. “I have been taking it one step and a time. God makes no mistakes. I’m very fortunate to be in this position.”
During the Nashville Predators 2017 playoff run to the Stanley Cup Finals, the Preds brought out some of country music’s biggest starts to sing the national anthem on their home ice, including Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, Little Big Town, Vince Gill, Lady Antebellum, Keith Urban, Kelly Clarkson, Trisha Yearwood, Martina McBride, Dierks Bentley and Faith Hill.
For the Preds 2018 playoff run, which began on April 12 against the Colorado Avalanche, Rascal Flatts had the honor of singing the national anthem before Game 1, while Brad Paisley and Maren Morris handled the duties before Game 2 on April 14 and Game 5 on April 20, respectively.
Before Game 1 of the Preds second round playoff series versus the Winnipeg Jets on April 27, Dierks Bentley and bluegrass great Del McCoury teamed up to perform the anthem. Dierks also had the honor of singing the anthem during the Preds 2017 playoff run.
Midweek games generally don’t draw many students to Sherri Parker Lee Stadium, yet alone one of the stars of the men’s basketball team.
But Grant Williams isn’t an average spectator. The 6-foot-7 sophomore forward has become a loyal Lady Vols softball fan, attending nearly every home game this season and gaining more appreciation for the sport.
He’s not doing it for the publicity or to get on camera. He doesn’t sneak out after only a few innings or scroll through his phone instead of paying attention.
Williams stays for the entire game, cheers heartily throughout and patiently waits to talk to the players in the aftermath.
“I am a huge fan, and I enjoy watching a great game of softball,” Williams said. “The team is really good. They are just as competitive as us, and I like going out there and seeing them dominate like we were doing on the court this year. I just really try to enjoy the time because it’s always a beautiful day at the field.”
Williams first took an interest in softball in high school, attending games at Providence Day School in Charlotte, North Carolina.
He knew Tennessee had a powerhouse program, and couldn’t wait to become a regular at Lee Stadium. Having a car this year helped with his transportation to games, and he’s become close friends with many members of the softball team.
His relationship with third baseman Chelsea Seggern has grown over the last year through their involvement with the VOLeaders Academy.
“He is a big deal, and it’s really cool to see him come out to our games,” Seggern said of the reigning SEC Player of the Year. “I think all the teams (here at UT) need to support other teams more, even us going to other games. It will really create an environment where the athletic department is one as a whole.”
Each time Williams enters the stadium, whispers of “That’s Grant Williams” float through the crowd. But his presence is no longer a surprise to the regulars and season-ticket holders.
Williams sits in the player family section above the home dugout. After a big hit, strikeout or sterling defensive play, he exchanges high-fives with the moms and dads surrounding him.
“It’s really sweet because when you are playing yourself you don’t really get to do that stuff. You get to celebrate with your team, but not with other people in the stands,” Williams said. “It’s fun when exciting stuff happens to high-five and cheer with all of them.”
If the games are crowded, Williams can always count on Seggern’s mom, Renea, saving him a seat in her row.
“My mom has grown attached to him. She loves him and loves his personality,” Seggern said. “She is kind of teaching him the game, and he is kind of learning it. She wants to make sure he feels comfortable in the stands and has a great time.”
Since becoming more immersed in the Lady Vols this season, Williams’ respect for softball and the abilities of the players has grown.
“I am really attracted to the slapping part of softball, and I really like the fact the pitchers are so different. Matty (Moss) throws with more power and Caylan (Arnold) throws with a little more spin,” Williams said. “It’s good to educate yourself about many things, and me knowing more about softball may help me in other areas of my life.”
Although Tennessee co-head coach Karen Weekly can’t usually see who’s in the stands from her perch in the dugout, she’s not surprised to hear Williams is a regular at games.
“He is someone I got to know in the training room doing my shoulder therapy this past fall, and he is just a very personable and engaging gentlemen,” Weekly said. “You can tell the appreciation and enthusiasm he has for all the sports, not just basketball, and I think that means a lot to our team.”
The only challenging part of attending softball games for Williams has been the temptation to stray from his refined diet.
He’s been trying to give up his late-night buttered popcorn habit to improve his performance on the basketball court. But it’s hard to escape the enticing aroma of a freshly-popped box when he walks into the stadium.
“I try not to touch it. Coach Barnes had a box at the game the other day and started waving it at me, though,” Williams said. “But if I do eat it, I eat it in moderation and don’t eat the whole box.”
Williams is hoping he gets the chance to watch the Lady Vols begin a deep postseason run at Lee Stadium. He knows the environment can be electric and wants to experience the intensity of a win-or-go-home series.
Once the softball season does end for good, Seggern has invited Williams back to the field and issued a friendly challenge.
“She teases me about coming out and hitting,” Williams said. “I think I will be bad, but she doesn’t think I will be that bad. We’ll have to see.”
ARLINGTON, Texas – Tennessee defensive back Rashaan Gaulden was selected by the Carolina Panthers with 85th pick overall in the third round of the 2018 NFL Draft at AT&T Stadium.
It’s the second consecutive year the Vols have had a defensive back selected in the NFL Draft. VFL Cam Sutton was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers with the No. 94 pick overall in the third round in 2017. Gaulden is also the eighth UT player to be selected in the first three rounds since 2013.
Gaulden, who is the 44th Vol defensive back selected in the NFL Draft all-time and the 11th since 2000, marks the third Tennessee player to be drafted by the Panthers, joining Deon Grant (2000) and Jerry Colquitt (1995).
Gaulden can play cornerback, safety or nickel back in the NFL after a standout collegiate career where he proved his versatility by playing at nearly every spot in the defensive backfield. The Spring Hill, Tenn., native finished with 140 tackles, including 9.5 for loss, over 36 games with 19 starts. He had a breakout 2017 redshirt junior season, where he totaled 65 tackles to go along with three forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, six passes defended and one interception.
Gaulden had 68 tackles as a first-year starter in 2016 after redshirting due to injury in 2015. He played in 11 games, making seven tackles in 2014.
Gaulden is the 23rd Vol selected in the NFL Draft since 2010 and the 355th Vol drafted all-time.
Sneedville, Tenn., native Morgan Wallen got his first taste of the spotlight as a 3-year-old, singing during church services for his father’s congregation. Now the 24-year-old is entertaining crowds on late-night TV.
Morgan made his late-night TV debut on April 26, teaming with Florida Georgia Line to perform his hit single, “Up Down,” which is currently No. 13 on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart.
The new tune, which was penned by Michael Hardy, Brad Clawson and CJ Solar, is featured on Morgan’s debut album, If I Know Me.
After five months of competition that included more than 1,500 entrants from across the country, Radio Romance earned the title of Nash Next Champion in October 2017.
As part of their spoils, the four-piece Nashville band—consisting of Sam Hayes (lead singer), Josh Gramling (lead guitar), Moises Padilla (drums) and Adam Smithwick (bass)—was awarded a recording contract with Nash Next Records under the Big Machine Label Group and exposure on Cumulus radio stations nationwide.
On April 27, Radio Romance dropped their debut single, “Weekend,” a groovin’ tune with a fusion of ’90s country and rock that has recently become a staple of their live shows. The group’s new single pulls from the sounds of their varied musical influences, including Travis Tritt, Tracy Lawrence, Alabama, Pink Floyd, Metallica, Buddy Rich, Eric Church, Jason Aldean and more.
“Our musical influences definitely play a key role in our sound,” says Sam. “We pull from all genres of music, whether it was stuff we grew up on or stuff currently out now. We believe it truly shows through our songwriting, live performances and style of music.”
“We looked at a lot of different songs for our debut, but ‘Weekend’ is song we knew was special right after we wrote it,” says Josh. “It’s a song that helped us win Nash Next and we think it fits perfectly with what’s on country radio right now.”
It’s been almost four years since Maddie & Tae strummed their way into country music consciousness with their breakout No. 1 hit, “Girl in a Country Song.” The duo found success with subsequent songs from their debut album, Start Here, including Top 10 single, “Fly,” and Top 25 single, “Shut Up and Fish.”
Maddie & Tae gave fans their first taste of their upcoming sophomore album by releasing new single, “Friends Don’t,” on April 27. The new tune, which was penned by Maddie, Tae, Jon Nite and Justin Ebach, was co-produced by Jimmy Robbins and Derek Wells.
“I hope our fans love this song as much as we do,” said Maddie. “Anything we ever do we have them in mind and want to always create music they can connect with. We have a big story to tell on this album, and ‘Friends Don’t’ is the beginning of it all.”
“It feels so good to be back with a song like ‘Friends Don’t,'” added Tae. “This song is everything we’ve always been. Honest, vulnerable and confident. We can’t wait for our fans to hear the rest of the record.”
Friday and Saturday will be the more anxious and exciting days for former University of Tennessee football players and Vols fans keeping a close eye on the NFL Draft.
Friday (Day 2) will be rounds 2 and 3 of the draft, which is the earliest and VFLs are expected to be taken. Saturday (Day 3) is for rounds 4 through 7 where there could be more UT players selected. There will be a number of undrafted free agents that will sign quickly after the draft with NFL clubs.
Here’s a list of Tennessee Volunteers players to watch for the NFL Draft and a potential free agents or tryout opportunities as well as 5 teams to watch as good fits for the most likely players to be drafted from UT.
Likely To Potential Draft Picks
DB Rashaan Gaulden (6’1, 197)
4.69 forty at Pro Day
4.61 forty at NFL Combine
Range projection: Rounds 3 to 5
Teams To Watch: Chiefs, Titans, Browns, Buccaneers, Raiders
Vince’s View: Gaulden has impressed some draft analysts and scouts with his versatility and toughness. Two questions that an NFL scout brought-up to me was that he ran a slower forty-yard dash at UT’s Pro Day despite being at a lighter weight and the unknown of a true position in the secondary. You can flip that to a positive of the versatility he can bring, but each team will view that differently. He’s smart, plays stronger than his size and was productive without a ton of healthy help around him at Tennessee.
RB John Kelly (5’10, 216)
4.64 forty at Pro Day (reported times 4.5 to 4.65)
Range projection: Rounds 3 to 5
Teams To Watch: Lions, Raiders, Steelers, Eagles, Giants
Vince’s View: Kelly is listed by the NFL heavier and taller than what we saw at UT’s Pro Day. I think he’s 5’9 and 209-ish unless something’s changed recently. The NFL comp that I think is most complimentary of Kelly and most accurate is Falcons RB Devonta Freeman. Both rack-up yards after contact, run bigger than their size, can catch the ball out of the backfield and play with an edge. He can be a role back as part of a duo or trio backfield.
DL Kahlil McKenzie (6’3, 314)
Range projection: Rounds 5 to 7
Teams To Watch: Raiders, Colts, Chiefs, Bears, Dolphins
Vince’s View: With his dad as GM of the Raiders and Jon Gruden as head coach, Oakland is easily the most likely destination. There will be other teams that feel like they can work with his size and family genes. Even though he worked out some at offensive line for some teams, that’s a really rare transition entering the NFL.
P Trevor Daniel (6’2, 230)
23 bench press reps at NFL Combine
Range projection: Rounds 6 to FA
Teams To Watch: Texans, Eagles, Falcons, Steelers, Vikings
Vince’s View: He was among the nation’s best punters the last two years with the Vols. There’s punting depth in this draft, which could push the big, strong punter out of the draft. He’ll absolutely sign with someone after the draft at the very least. The NFL is also looking to save dollars by going to younger punters to replace vets.
CB Emmanuel Moseley (5’11, 184)
4.42 forty at Pro Day (reported low of 4.36)
38.5 vertical at Pro Day
10 feet 8 inches broad jump at Pro Day
21 reps in bench press at Pro Day
Range projection: Rounds 6 to FA
Teams To Watch: Browns, Bills, Cardinals, Bengals, Texans
Vince’s View: This would surprise many Vols fans if he’s drafted. Those fast forty times have caught the attention of some NFL teams. He played a ton of football at UT. He wouldn’t be the first highly criticized UT DB to get an NFL look (see Justin Coleman and Malik Foreman.) Coleman has stuck. Foreman has not.
QB Riley Ferguson (6’3, 212) *transferred to Memphis
Range projection: Rounds 6 to FA
Teams To Watch: Panthers, Falcons, Texans, Vikings, Redskins
Vince’s View: Ferguson has the arm talent and huge production with the Tigers to take a flyer on late in the draft as competition for your 3rd quarterback or develop on the practice squad.
Possible Undrafted Free Agent Signings TE Ethan Wolf (6’6, 258)
Teams To Watch: Saints, Bills, Titans, Jaguars, Giants
DT Kendal Vickers (6’3, 290)
Teams To Watch: Giants
LB Colton Jumper (6’2, 235)
Teams To Watch: Colts
WR/RS Evan Berry (5’11, 202)
4.65 forty at Pro Day
Teams To Watch: 49’ers
Possible Tryout Candidates That Are Draft Eligible OL Jashon Robertson (6’2, 292)
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Lou Brown, a graduate transfer from Washington State, has signed an SEC Grant-In-Aid with Tennessee and will be eligible to play during the 2018-19 season, Lady Vol head basketball coach Holly Warlick announced on Thursday.
A native of Melbourne, Australia, the 6-foot-3 forward started 71 of 95 career games for the Cougars. She averaged 5.6 points and 5.6 rebounds while knocking down 80 three-pointers during her time in Pullman. She will graduate from WSU in May with a degree in sport management after twice earning Pac-12 All-Academic honorable mention distinction and will have one season to play at UT.
Brown becomes the second international player to don a Lady Vol uniform, following in the footsteps of rising redshirt senior Cheridene Green, who hails from London, England. She also is the second graduate transfer to join the program. Schaquilla Nunn, who came from Winthrop and averaged 4.8 points and 4.5 rebounds for UT in 2016-17, was the first.
“We are very pleased to welcome a multi-dimensional player like Lou to our program,” Warlick said. “At 6-3, she has great size, can stretch the floor with her shooting range, can shoot over the top of defenders, gets on the glass, runs the floor and plays well without the ball.
“She brings great experience, not only from the college ranks but also from playing internationally with Australia. Adding a veteran player of her caliber to our front court and a 12th player to our roster will not only provide us more depth, it should also lead to more competitiveness. We are very excited to add all of our newcomers to our group of returning players and continue our preparations for the 2018-19 season.”
As a junior in 2016-17, Brown notched career highs of 16 points vs. Nebraska and 16 rebounds vs. Oklahoma State en route to averaging 10.4 points and a team-leading 6.9 rebounds. Her season ended prematurely after seven games, however, due to a foot injury suffered during that OSU game.
She returned to the court in 2017-18 as a redshirt junior, starting 23 of 28 contests and averaging 6.4 points and 6.0 rebounds for WSU. She was the team’s leading rebounder and fifth-leading point-producer, scoring in double figures nine times and tallying six games with double digits in rebounds. She had four double-doubles to lead the squad.
Brown connected on a single-season career-most 29 threes in 87 attempts (.333) last year. She tallied her most field goals and attempts, hitting 62 of 171 (.363), and shot a team-best 78.1 percent from the free throw line (25-32). She also posted a career high for assists in a season with 49.
She didn’t waste any time contributing during her first two seasons at WSU, either. Brown played in all 32 games as a freshman, starting the final 16, while averaging 3.9 points and 6.5 rebounds, the second-highest ever by a Cougar rookie. She blocked 29 shots, third-most by a freshman at the school. As a sophomore, she started 25 of 28 contests, tallying 5.5 points and 4.0 rebounds per outing.
Brown has experience in international play, as well, helping Australia to fifth place at the FIBA U17 World Championships in 2012 and to a gold medal at the FIBA U19 World Championships in 2013.
The addition of Brown, who was prospectnation.com‘s No. 2-ranked international player coming out of high school, gives Tennessee an influx of five new players and brings the roster count to 12. The latter number ties for the highest total of active players UT has had during the Warlick era (2014-15 and 2015-16). Her arrival will provide an experienced rebounder and offensive option on the inside as well as a highly-capable threat at mid-range and beyond the arc.
Brown joins a 2018 signing class ranked No. 4 by ProspectsNation.com and No. 6 by HoopGurlz/espnW. That group includes Zarielle Green (6-0 guard from Duncanville, Texas), who is ranked No. 10 by ESPN and No. 26 by ProspectsNation; Jazmine Massengill (6-0 point guard from Chattanooga), who is ranked No. 11 by ProspectsNation and No. 25 by ESPN; Amira “Mimi” Collins (6-3 forward from Waldorf, Md.), who is ranked No. 9 by ProspectsNation and No. 49 by ESPN; and Rae Burrell (6-1 wing from Henderson, Nev.), who is rated No. 43 by ESPN and No. 119 by ProspectsNation.
Green, Massengill and Collins were McDonald’s and Jordan Brand Classic All-Americans, and Collins was a top-five finalist for Naismith Girls’ High School Player of the Year.
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