Three Vols Receive 2024 NFL Combine Invites

Three Vols Receive 2024 NFL Combine Invites

Posted on February 14, 2024

Courtesy / UT Athletics

The National Football League announced Tuesday that Tennessee football standouts Joe Milton III, Jaylen Wright and Kamal Hadden each received invitations to the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine, which will take place in Indianapolis from Feb. 26 through March 4.
 
A total of 321 prospects have been invited to attend the 2024 NFL Combine, including 75 from the Southeastern Conference. Live coverage of this year’s event begins Thursday, Feb. 29, on NFL Network and NFL+.
 
Milton is coming off the most productive season of his college career after starting all 12 regular season games and completing 229-of-354 (.647) passes for 2,813 yards with 20 touchdowns and five interceptions. The quarterback from Pahokee, Florida, also showcased his mobility throughout the year with a career-best 299 rushing yards and seven rushing touchdowns, which were the most by a Vol quarterback in a single campaign since Joshua Dobbs had 12 in 2016. Milton finished the 2023 season with 3,112 yards of total offense, representing the eighth-best total in school history and the third straight season a UT quarterback has eclipsed the 3,000-yard mark.
 
One the nation’s top running back prospects and an Associated Press All-SEC selection this past season, Wright produced one of the most dynamic running back seasons in UT history in 2023. He started all 12 regular season games, setting career bests in rushing yards (1,013), yards per attempt (7.39) and yards per game (84.4) on 137 carries. His 7.39 yards per carry led all FBS running backs (min. 120 attempts) and was second among all FBS players. That figure also ranked second in UT single-season history (min. 100 attempts) behind only Hank Lauricella’s 7.94 in 1951. The Durham, North Carolina, native finished the year producing six 100-yard rushing games and became the Vols’ first 1,000-yard rusher in a season since 2015.
 
Hadden developed into a lockdown cornerback and was outstanding in his final season with the Vols in 2023, leading the team with three interceptions and eight pass breakups. His 11 passes defended were tied for fourth in the SEC despite missing the final six games of the season due to injury. The River Rouge, Michigan, native did not allow a touchdown pass the entire season, and his PFF defensive coverage grade of 90.4 was second-best among SEC cornerbacks and fifth in the nation in 2023. According to PFF, his allowed passer rating of 7.0 was the lowest by any player in the 2024 Draft class.
 
The three Tennessee representatives will seek to improve their resumes at the Combine ahead of the 2024 NFL Draft, set for April 25-27 in Detroit, Michigan.

Courtesy / UT Athletics
Monica Abbott Named to 2024 SEC Women’s Legends Class

Monica Abbott Named to 2024 SEC Women’s Legends Class

Posted on February 14, 2024

Courtest / UT Athletics

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Southeastern Conference announced its 2024 Class of Women’s Legends, and the University of Tennessee is represented by the illustrious Monica Abbott, who played for the Lady Vols’ softball program from 2004-07.

The 2024 collection of SEC Women’s Legends showcases former student-athletes and coaches from all 14 SEC member institutions. The women’s legends program began in 2001 with classes chosen every year except for 2021 and 2022.

This year’s class will be honored at the 2024 SEC Women’s Basketball Tournament, held March 6-10 in Greenville, South Carolina. Each legend will be recognized during half-time of their team’s first game of the tournament, as well as in a group introduction at halftime of the second semifinal game on Saturday.

One of the most decorated players in the history of college softball, Monica Abbott threw an astonishing 23 no-hitters and six perfect games during her Tennessee career and led the Lady Vols to three consecutive Women’s College World Series appearances (2005-07), with a runner-up finish in 2007.

Abbott logged 10 wins in the circle in her three appearances at the Women’s College World Series.

Through four stellar seasons at Tennessee, she posted an incredible 189-34 record, a 0.79 ERA, 112 shutouts, 2,440 strikeouts and 125 games with 10 or more strikeouts. She also became the first pitcher in NCAA Division I history to record 500 strikeouts in four different seasons.

During her career, Abbott was named the SEC Pitcher of the Year three times – still the only three-time winner in SEC history – and capped her final season at Tennessee by taking home the Honda Award for Softball, the Women’s Sports Foundation Sportswoman of the Year, the Roy F. Kramer SEC Female Athlete of the Year award and the USA Softball National Player of the Year award.  

Abbott is a two-time Olympian with Team USA and a three-time World Champion. She was inducted into the Tennessee Athletics Hall of Fame in 2017 and was the first Tennessee softball player to have her jersey retired on March 23, 2013.

The 2024 Women’s Legends group includes:
Dee Foster, Alabama, Gymnastics (1990-93)

Krystal Osborne, Arkansas, Volleyball (1994-97)

DeWanna Bonner, Auburn, Basketball (2006-09)

Kiara Smith, Florida, Basketball (2018-22)

Ashley Houts, Georgia, Basketball (2006-10)

Molly Johnson-Belcher, Kentucky, Softball (2007-10)

Theresa Plaisance, LSU, Basketball (2010-14)

Ali Weisz, Ole Miss, Rifle (2013-17)

Tan White, Mississippi State, Basketball (1997-2001)

Bri Kulas, Missouri, Basketball (2012-14)

Blakely Mattern, South Carolina, Soccer (2006-09)

Monica Abbott, Tennessee, Softball (2004-07)

Jessica Beard, Texas A&M, Track & Field (2008-11)

Christina Foggie, Vanderbilt, Basketball (2011-14)

Courtesy / UT Athletics
Man Accused of Killing Blount County Deputy Caught in Knoxville

Man Accused of Killing Blount County Deputy Caught in Knoxville

Posted on February 13, 2024

Knoxville, TN (WOKI) The man accused of killing Blount County Deputy Greg McCowan and injuring Deputy Shelby Eggers is apprehended Monday afternoon in Knoxville.

Officials with the Knoxville Police Department confirming Kenneth Wayne DeHart, Jr. was taken into custody at a home on Linden Avenue.

DeHart was wanted for first-degree murder and attempted first-degree murder in the shooting which occurred following a traffic stop on Sevierville Road Thursday night.

Blount County Sheriff’s Office officials say DeHart was stopped for driving erratically, then things escalated, leading to the shooting.

“Kenneth Wayne DeHart was taken into custody a short time ago in Knoxville! Now the judicial process will take place in the court system. Thanks to all of our law enforcement partners and our community,” BCSO officials said.

DeHart’s arrest follows the arrest of two others in the case: his girlfriend, Carrie Matthews, and his brother, Marcus DeHart, who were both charged with accessory after the fact.

Morgan County Man in Custody after Firing Shots at Animal Shelter, Police Say

Morgan County Man in Custody after Firing Shots at Animal Shelter, Police Say

Posted on February 13, 2024

Morgan County, TN (WOKI) A man in Morgan County is in custody after firing shots at an animal shelter.

Officials with the Morgan County Sheriff’s Office say the incident happened around 4:30 Monday afternoon at MOCO Muts, a non-profit shelter in the Sunbright area of Morgan County.

The suspect reportedly fired shots into the building while trying to get inside.

MCSO says the man ultimately got inside the building by breaking a window, and responding MCSO deputies then dragged the suspect out the broken window.

The two deputies were cut by the window and treated on the scene, while the man was taken to the hospital before being released to police custody.

Billboards Up Across the Southeast for Fugitive on TBI’s Most Wanted List, Kenneth Dehart, Jr. who is Wanted in Connection to the Shootings of Two Blount County Deputies – Fatally Wounding Deputy Greg McCowan

Billboards Up Across the Southeast for Fugitive on TBI’s Most Wanted List, Kenneth Dehart, Jr. who is Wanted in Connection to the Shootings of Two Blount County Deputies – Fatally Wounding Deputy Greg McCowan

Posted on February 13, 2024

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has teamed up with Lamar Advertising to put Blount County murder suspect Kenneth DeHart Jr.’s face all over the southeast.

DeHart is accused of shooting Blount County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Shelby Eggers and killing Deputy Greg McCowan during a traffic stop Thursday night. He is still on the run, and law enforcement says he is considered armed and dangerous.

So far, there has been no word from investigators on where DeHart could be, but they have not indicated that he could be outside East Tennessee yet.

A $100,000 reward is being offered for information that leads to his arrest.

Anyone with information is being asked to call 1-800-TBI-FIND.

The Girlfriend of the Man Suspected of Shooting Two Blount County Deputies, Killing One, is Out on Bond Following Arrest for Reportedly Helping Him Avoid Custody

The Girlfriend of the Man Suspected of Shooting Two Blount County Deputies, Killing One, is Out on Bond Following Arrest for Reportedly Helping Him Avoid Custody

Posted on February 13, 2024

The girlfriend of Kenneth Dehart, Jr. is out on bond following her arrest for reportedly helping him avoid capture following a shooting involving two Blount County deputies, fatally injuring Deputy Greg McCowen.

Carrie Matthews was taken into custody in Sevier County charged with accessory after the fact for reportedly warning him when police went to her home.

Matthews has been issued a $350,000 bond and is required to wear an ankle monitor. Matthews posted bond yesterday and was released from jail last night (Monday). She’ll be back in court on March 15th.

Marcus DeHart is the suspect’s brother who is also charged with accessory after the fact. He is being held on a one million dollar bond. A bond hearing is set for Friday.

The manhunt for Kenneth Dehart continues. He is suspected of shooting two Blount County deputies, fatally injuring Deputy Greg McCowan and Deputy Shelby Eggers was shot in the leg but is recovering at home. She was able to return fire on Dehart who reportedly shot at the deputies following a traffic stop Thursday night.

A Blue Alert remains active for Dehart by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and he is on their Most Wanted list. He is considered armed and dangerous. Please call 9 1 1 is you see him.

Anyone with information on Kenneth DeHart, Jr. is being asked to call 1-800-TBI-FIND or the tip line at 865-981-7125. A $100,000 award for information leading to his arrest.

VOLS EARN NINTH STRAIGHT TOP-10 RANKING

VOLS EARN NINTH STRAIGHT TOP-10 RANKING

Posted on February 13, 2024

Courtesy / UT Athletics

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The University of Tennessee men’s basketball team is in the top 10 of both the Associated Press Top 25 Poll and the USA TODAY Coaches Poll for the ninth consecutive week.

Tennessee (17-6, 7-3 SEC) sits at eighth in the AP Poll and ninth in the Coaches Poll, as announced Monday afternoon.

The Volunteers have now been featured in 53 straight AP Polls, the third-longest streak in America behind just Houston (79) and Kansas (58). That figure is also 16 weeks longer than the previous program record of 37. Tennessee has received a top-10 position in 26 of those 53 weeks, just shy of half.

The nine-week AP top 10 streak is tied for the fifth-longest in Tennessee history, matching a mark from the 1967-68 campaign. Of the six times the Volunteers have posted a streak of at least nine weeks, half have come under ninth-year head coach Rick Barnes‘ tenure, all since the 2018-19 season. Barnes has also now steered Tennessee to 51 top-10 rankings, good for 35.2 percent of its all-time total.

The Volunteers are coming off a 1-1 showing last week. They started with an 88-68 home win Wednesday against LSU behind 27 points, seven rebounds, a career-high six assists, three blocks and two steals from fifth-year guard Dalton Knecht. Three days later, despite 22 points from Knecht, they fell at Texas A&M, 85-69.

Tennessee earned 1,033 points in the AP balloting this week. It received 524 in the Coaches Poll, only five fewer than eighth-place Duke.

The Volunteers are yet again the top-ranked team in the SEC, which has five teams in the top 25 for the second week in a row. The others are No. 11 South Carolina, No. 13/12 Auburn, No. 15 Alabama and No. 22/20 Kentucky. Meanwhile, Florida and Texas A&M are both in the “receiving votes” section of each poll, while Ole Miss garnered points in the AP Poll.

Tennessee continues play Wednesday at 9 p.m. against Arkansas at Bud Walton Arena in Fayetteville, Ark., live on ESPN2.

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
LADY VOLS WIN BIG OVER RAZORBACKS, 81-55

LADY VOLS WIN BIG OVER RAZORBACKS, 81-55

Posted on February 13, 2024

Courtesy / UT Athletics

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — A 53-percent shooting percentage from behind the arc and a 21-point effort by Rickea Jackson lifted the Lady Vols to their seventh straight home triumph in a dominant 81-55 victory over Arkansas in Food City Center on Thursday night.  
 
The 55 points represented the fewest scored this season by Arkansas, which entered averaging 73.1 per contest. It also tied as the fewest allowed by Tennessee in 2023-24, matching the total Liberty scored in a 90-55 loss to UT on Dec. 31.
 
Junior Jillian Hollingshead recorded her second double-double of the season with 14 points and 10 rebounds, and senior Jewel Spear was close behind for Tennessee (15-8, 8-3 SEC) with 13 points, eight rebounds, and a career-high seven assists on the night. Their efforts helped move Kellie Harper‘s squad back into a tie for second place in the SEC standings.
  
Taliah Scott was the high scorer for Arkansas (17-9, 5-6 SEC) with 23 points, and Maryam Dauda turned in 10.
 
Jackson sank a 10-footer 30 seconds into play, and Spear followed it up with a trey as the duo went on to combine for 12 points in putting the Lady Vols up 12-0 by the 7:10 mark. Scott drained a three for UA’s first points of the game 15 seconds later, but Tamari Key countered with a layup on the other end to maintain Tennessee’s double-digit advantage. A pair of layups by Jackson put UT ahead 18-5 with 4:35 left in the first and proved to be the first points of a 13-5 run that gave Tennessee its largest first-quarter lead of the season at 27-10. Jenna Lawrence knocked down a three for the final points of the quarter, sending the game into the second period with UT on top, 27-13.
 
Dauda cut the Arkansas deficit to 11 with a trey to open the second quarter, setting off an 8-2 Arkansas run that had the Razorbacks within eight with 4:42 to go in the half. Jasmine Powell hit a layup to end the drought, and an old-fashioned three-point play by Jackson stretched UT’s lead back to 13. Hollingshead added a jumper to make it 36-21, and Scott hit a three for Arkansas on the next play before the Lady Vols ended with four straight points to lead 40-24 at halftime.
 
Powell kicked off the second half with a baseline three, as UT outscored the Razorbacks 7-2 over the first two minutes to lead by 21. Makayla Daniels responded with a three for UA at the 7:10 mark, but an 8-2 Lady Vol run stretched the score to 55-31 by the midway point. Scott and Daniels combined for buckets on back-to-back plays to pull Arkansas within 20, but UT expanded its lead to 26 off treys from Spear and Karoline Striplin to take a 63-37 advantage into the fourth quarter.
 
Scott hit the first points of the fourth with a mid-range jumper, and the teams traded buckets through the media timeout, with Tennessee leading 70-44 with 4:38 left in the game. Daniels drained a three eight seconds later, and Scott followed it up with a jumper to cut the score to 70-47, but the Lady Vols outscored the Razorbacks 11-6 to close out the contest.
 
 UP NEXT: Tennessee has a tight turnaround before No. 1/1 South Carolina rolls into Knoxville on Thursday night. The Lady Vols and Gamecocks are slated to meet in a 7 p.m. match-up on ESPN.
 
RICKEA HANGS ANOTHER 20: Rickea Jackson finished with 21 points vs. the Razorbacks to tally 20 or more for the sixth time this season and for the 22nd time in her career. She ranks sixth all-time at UT and stands one game behind fifth-place Rennia Davis, who had 23 such efforts from 2017-21. Tennessee is 19-3 (.864) in all games and 12-2 (.857) in SEC contests when Jackson scores 20 or more.
 
NICE REBOUND BY JILL: Jillian Hollingshead had arguably her best performance of the season, finishing with a double-double of 14 points and 10 rebounds. It marked her first double-figure scoring effort since Nov. 19, which actually was her last double-double as well with 18 points and 10 boards vs. Troy. Hollingshead now has three double-double efforts for her career when factoring in last season’s 18/12 performance at Mississippi State. The effort vs. UA also marked her fourth game with 10 or more rebounds in 2023-24, including additional efforts vs. Florida A&M (12) and Wofford (10).
 
PULLING DOWN 50+: Tennessee recorded its sixth 50-rebound game of the 2023-24 campaign, pulling down 57 vs. Arkansas for its second most of the year. During the Harper era, UT has recorded 50 rebounds in a contest on 46 occasions in 150 total games, including six with 60+ boards. The Big Orange’s previous year-by-year totals of 50-rebound games during Harper’s tenure include 11 in 2019-20, 7 in 2020-21, 15 in 2021-22 and 7 in 2022-23. UT’s 2023-24 games with 50+ boards:  63 (TROY), 57 (ARK), 56 (MEM), 52 (LIB), 50 (WOF, FLA)
 
STARTING FAST: Tennessee raced to a 27-13 score after the game’s opening quarter, beating Arkansas 12-2 in the paint, 9-0 on fast breaks and 7-0 on second-chance points. The Lady Vols led by as many as 17 over the Razorbacks (27-10, :53), marking UT’s biggest first-frame lead of the season. UT hit 10 of 20 shots (50 pct.) from the floor and four of six (67 pct.) from beyond the arc, with Rickea Jackson tallying 10 points and Jewel Spear eight over the first 10 minutes for the contest.
 
DOMINATING IN THE PAINT: Tennessee used its size to dominate inside, out-performing Arkansas by a 34-16 points-in-the-paint advantage for the game. The Lady Vols burst out to a 22-4 scoring advantage in the lane in the first half, including 12-2 differentials in the first and second quarters. The Razorbacks’ 16 paint points represented the lowest total by any team all season long, with 20 by Middle Tennessee and Wofford ranking as the previous low.
 
SLOWING DOWN THE HOGS: The Lady Vols limited Arkansas to 55 points and 31.9-percent shooting. The point total was UA’s lowest of the season, and the 55 allowed tied for UT’s fewest given up this year with Liberty also tallying that total. The field goal percentage was the second lowest UT has surrendered, ranking second to Liberty (31.0) in that stat as well. In the first half, Tennessee held the Razorbacks to 24 percent shooting and only 24 points. That halftime score tied for the fewest by an opponent this season, matching the 24 of Liberty on Dec. 31 and Georgia on Feb. 1.

Courtesy / UT Athletics
Claiborne County Officials are Asking for Help to Find a Missing Teen

Claiborne County Officials are Asking for Help to Find a Missing Teen

Posted on February 13, 2024

 The Claiborne County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) is asking for help finding a missing teen.

The CCSO said 15-year-old Ava Kennedy Hash Stern was last seen in Tazewell on Saturday, Feb. 10.

Hash is described as bring a white female who is 5′8″ tall and 115 pounds with red hair and green eyes, police said, in addition to braces and a nose piercing.

Anyone with information regarding her whereabouts is asked to contact the CCSO at 423-626-3000 or TBI at 1-800-TBI-FIND.

Route for Deputy Greg McCowan’s Funeral Service if You’d Like to Safely Watch Procession

Route for Deputy Greg McCowan’s Funeral Service if You’d Like to Safely Watch Procession

Posted on February 13, 2024

On Wednesday, February 14, Blount County Sheriff’s Deputy Greg McCowan will be laid to rest. The funeral is scheduled for 1 pm at Sevier Heights Baptist Church, 3140 Maloney Road, Knoxville. Following the funeral, which we anticipate will end between 2:30 and 3 pm, there will be a funeral procession from Sevier Heights Baptist Church to Grandview Cemetery at 2304 Tuckaleechee Pike in Maryville. The procession will take Alcoa Highway southbound to Hall Road in Blount County, and then to Tuckaleechee Pike in Maryville and end at Grandview Cemetery. As you may expect, the funeral processional will be quite long. Please anticipate delays on Alcoa Highway and the remaining route to the cemetery. Please look at the map below to see the exact route.
If you choose to pay your respects to Deputy McCowan and his family by standing along the procession route, please choose a safe area away from traffic.
Sheriff James Lee Berrong would like to thank you for your patience, support, and condolences.

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