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.
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
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!
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)
*Note: Cade Mays (Knox Catholic) & Tyler Baron (Knox Catholic) listed above in other sections also went to high school in the Knoxville area
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 – Javontez Spraggins (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
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.
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+.
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.
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.
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 Fischer, Hunter 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.
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