Knoxville City Councils Approves Ban on Unsupervised Dogs Chained Up Outdoors

Knoxville City Councils Approves Ban on Unsupervised Dogs Chained Up Outdoors

Knoxville city council members approve a total ban of leaving dogs chained up outside unsupervised.

Following nearly two hours of discussion and amendments last night (Tuesday). The new ordinance included an amendment for the chain to be at least five times the length of the pet’s body. City council also making an age requirement stating a dog needs to be six months or older to be chained up outside.

Some opposed to this change say about 53% of residents in the City of Knoxville are renters and do not have the ability or resources to install a fence or other containment alternative.

The first violation will be a verbal warning then fines for each additional violation will be issued.

Another Pediatric Flu Death Reported in Tennessee

Another Pediatric Flu Death Reported in Tennessee

The Tennessee Department of Health is confirming a third pediatric flu related death in Tennessee.

TDH says the child’s death happened in East Region of our state.

Additionally, 17 of Tennessee’s 95 counties have had one or more influenza-positive result in the past 6 weeks.

TDH considers an flu like illness to be a fever of 100 degrees or higher with a cough and/or sore throat.

Authorities Investigating a Bank Robbery and False Report Call in Blount County

Authorities Investigating a Bank Robbery and False Report Call in Blount County

Photo courtesy of WVLT

Authorities are investigating a bank robbery and false call report in Blount County.

The Alcoa Police Department says a suspect is in custody after a robbery at CBBC Bank on Topside Road yesterday (Tuesday).

The suspect wrecked their motorcycle fleeing and was taken into custody by U.S. Marshal’s.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and APD are investigating the bank robbery. They did recover the cash and a firearm believed to be linked to the robbery.

Authorities received calls about the robbery as they were finishing a sweep at an Alcoa Walmart after receiving a false report of employees being held at gunpoint.

Anyone with information about the false report or the robbery should call the Alcoa Police Department at 865-981-4111.

Josh Heupel Earns Contract Extension Through January 2029; $9 million annual plus incentives

Josh Heupel Earns Contract Extension Through January 2029; $9 million annual plus incentives

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – After guiding Tennessee to its first 11-win football season in over two decades, 2022 Southeastern Conference Coach of the Year and National Coach of the Year finalist Josh Heupel has earned a contract extension through January 2029, Vice Chancellor/Director of Athletics Danny White announced on Tuesday.  

“The results over Josh’s first two seasons speak for themselves,” White said. “He and his staff have energized both our football program and our fanbase with an aggressive brand of football, a competitive culture that creates leaders and a relentless approach to raising the bar every single day. Despite a brief period of dormancy, Tennessee never surrendered its status as a college football powerhouse. We just needed an innovative leader like Josh Heupel to reignite the spark. It’s been fun to crash the party, but as Josh said after our Orange Bowl triumph, the best is yet to come.”

In two seasons, Heupel’s remarkable revival of the Volunteers has seen him produce an 18-8 overall record, seven victories over Top 25 teams at the time of meeting, the program’s first New Year’s Six berth in the College Football Playoff era and a No. 6 final ranking. The seven ranked wins are third nationally among FBS head coaches during that span. UT was 3-7 a season prior to Heupel’s arrival.

“I am grateful to President Boyd, Chancellor Plowman, Danny White and of Vol Nation for their tremendous support,” Heupel said. “Our staff takes great pride in representing the Power T, and it’s something we never take for granted. We will continue to work tirelessly to build a championship program that all of Vol Nation and all VFLs can be proud of.

“Most importantly, our players are the people who deserve all of the credit for our resurgence on Rocky Top. Over the last two years, they believed in us and poured their energy into every single day with hard work, leadership, cohesiveness and consistent habits. I am proud to be their coach.”

In both seasons under Heupel, Tennessee has surpassed its SEC preseason projected order of finish. Heupel’s Vols entered the 2022 campaign unranked but ascended to No. 1 in the initial College Football Playoff rankings after a rapid 8-0 start, giving UT its first top poll position since the 1998 national championship season. Heupel joined College Football Hall of Famers Phillip Fulmer (1998), General Robert Neyland (1939, ’51) and Bowden Wyatt (1956) to lead a Tennessee team to a No. 1 ranking.

Heupel became the first Vol coach in 21 years to defeat Alabama, Florida and LSU in the same season as Neyland Stadium became the epicenter of the sport with multiple ESPN College GameDay appearances and six consecutive sellouts. UT secured its first-ever New Year’s Six bowl berth and defeated ACC champion Clemson, 31-14, to claim its first Orange Bowl trophy since 1939.

The Vols concluded the year No. 6 in both the Associated Press and USA Today AFCA Coaches polls, representing their highest finish since 2001. Tennessee defeated four foes in the final AP Top 25, which was the second-highest total among teams in the final poll. The team finished with six wins over ranked teams, tying the 1998 squad for the most in program history.

For his efforts, Heupel was tabbed the 2022 AP SEC Coach of the Year and a finalist for the Paul “Bear” Bryant Coach of the Year Award and the George Munger Award presented by the Maxwell Football Club. Heupel was the recipient of the AFCA’s Region 2 Coach of the Year, and he captured the fan vote for the Bryant Coach of the Year Award.

Heupel’s teams have established a clear identity as the nation’s No. 1 offense with an attacking defense. In 2022, the Vols led the nation in scoring offense (46.1), total offense (525.5), passing efficiency (181.4) and total touchdowns (79) for the first time in school history. That occurred after UT was the nation’s most improved offense when it finished top 10 in all four of those categories in Heupel’s first year.

The Vols finished top 15 nationally in total tackles for loss and tackles for loss per game in each of the past two seasons, including tops in the SEC in 2022 (7.2).

A year after breaking eight team single-season records, Tennessee shattered 15 program marks during the 2022 campaign. Heupel’s offensive unit rewrote the annals in total points (599), points per game, total offense (6,832), total offense per game, yards per play (7.2), total touchdowns, passing touchdowns (38), rushing touchdowns (40), completion percentage (68.7), passing efficiency, passing yards (4,239), fewest interceptions thrown (3) and first downs (330).

The Vols’ rise to national prominence under Heupel’s leadership has enabled UT to sign back-to-back elite recruiting classes. His top-10 Class of 2023 features three of the top 50 signees in the country according to On3.com, including the nation’s No. 1 player in quarterback Nico Iamaleava of Long Beach, California.

Player development has been evident as well in the Heupel era. Five Vols were selected in the 2022 NFL Draft, representing the program’s most since 2017 and more than UT produced the previous three drafts combined. The Vols are poised to add to that number this spring.

Four Tennessee players earned first-team All-SEC recognition from the league’s coaches in the fall of 2022—wide receiver Jalin Hyatt, quarterback Hendon Hooker, offensive tackle Darnell Wright and defensive end Byron Young. The four selections were the most for the program since 2006.

Heupel mentored Hooker, who swept the SEC Offensive Player of the Year awards as selected by the coaches and Associated Press, after an indelible season. Hooker secured the highest Heisman Trophy finish by a Vol in 25 years with fifth place. Meanwhile, Hyatt became the first player in school history to claim the Biletnikoff Award as the nation’s top receiver. He earned the prestigious honor of becoming the 13th unanimous first-team All-American in UT history and the first since College Football Hall of Famer Eric Berry in 2009.

Off the field, the Vols have flourished under Heupel with 34 SEC Academic Honor Roll selections in the fall of 2021 and three Academic All-America accolades in the last two seasons combined. In 2021, Tennessee produced multiple College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-Americans in the same season for the first time as Paxton Brooks and Matthew Butler received first- and second-team distinctions, respectively. Brooks repeated the honor in 2022.

The Vols’ on-field success also correlated in the classroom, as the football program’s 2022 fall semester GPA was its highest on record, with 13 Dean’s List student-athletes leading the way.

Heupel emphasized the holistic development of the student-athlete and enhanced the team’s player development staff. The group focuses on year-round programming geared toward preparing the Vols for personal, academic and leadership success, as well as community engagement efforts.

The Aberdeen, South Dakota, native owns a stellar 46-16 overall record (.742) and a 30-11 (.732) conference mark in five seasons as a head coach. His 46 victories since 2018 are top eight nationally, and he is one of only four active FBS head coaches to lead multiple programs to New Year’s Six Bowl appearances in the CFP era. His teams have earned bowl berths and finished in the top 10 nationally in scoring and total offense in all five seasons.

Heupel’s extension terms include annual compensation of $9 million, plus incentives.  

-UT Athletics

Vols HC Josh Heupel / Credit: UT Athletics
Josh Heupel Earns Contract Extension Through January 2029

Josh Heupel Earns Contract Extension Through January 2029

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – After guiding Tennessee to its first 11-win football season in over two decades, 2022 Southeastern Conference Coach of the Year and National Coach of the Year finalist Josh Heupel has earned a contract extension through January 2029, Vice Chancellor/Director of Athletics Danny White announced on Tuesday.  

“The results over Josh’s first two seasons speak for themselves,” White said. “He and his staff have energized both our football program and our fanbase with an aggressive brand of football, a competitive culture that creates leaders and a relentless approach to raising the bar every single day. Despite a brief period of dormancy, Tennessee never surrendered its status as a college football powerhouse. We just needed an innovative leader like Josh Heupel to reignite the spark. It’s been fun to crash the party, but as Josh said after our Orange Bowl triumph, the best is yet to come.”

In two seasons, Heupel’s remarkable revival of the Volunteers has seen him produce an 18-8 overall record, seven victories over Top 25 teams at the time of meeting, the program’s first New Year’s Six berth in the College Football Playoff era and a No. 6 final ranking. The seven ranked wins are third nationally among FBS head coaches during that span. UT was 3-7 a season prior to Heupel’s arrival.

“I am grateful to President Boyd, Chancellor Plowman, Danny White and of Vol Nation for their tremendous support,” Heupel said. “Our staff takes great pride in representing the Power T, and it’s something we never take for granted. We will continue to work tirelessly to build a championship program that all of Vol Nation and all VFLs can be proud of.

“Most importantly, our players are the people who deserve all of the credit for our resurgence on Rocky Top. Over the last two years, they believed in us and poured their energy into every single day with hard work, leadership, cohesiveness and consistent habits. I am proud to be their coach.”

In both seasons under Heupel, Tennessee has surpassed its SEC preseason projected order of finish. Heupel’s Vols entered the 2022 campaign unranked but ascended to No. 1 in the initial College Football Playoff rankings after a rapid 8-0 start, giving UT its first top poll position since the 1998 national championship season. Heupel joined College Football Hall of Famers Phillip Fulmer (1998), General Robert Neyland (1939, ’51) and Bowden Wyatt (1956) to lead a Tennessee team to a No. 1 ranking.

Heupel became the first Vol coach in 21 years to defeat Alabama, Florida and LSU in the same season as Neyland Stadium became the epicenter of the sport with multiple ESPN College GameDay appearances and six consecutive sellouts. UT secured its first-ever New Year’s Six bowl berth and defeated ACC champion Clemson, 31-14, to claim its first Orange Bowl trophy since 1939.

The Vols concluded the year No. 6 in both the Associated Press and USA Today AFCA Coaches polls, representing their highest finish since 2001. Tennessee defeated four foes in the final AP Top 25, which was the second-highest total among teams in the final poll. The team finished with six wins over ranked teams, tying the 1998 squad for the most in program history.

For his efforts, Heupel was tabbed the 2022 AP SEC Coach of the Year and a finalist for the Paul “Bear” Bryant Coach of the Year Award and the George Munger Award presented by the Maxwell Football Club. Heupel was the recipient of the AFCA’s Region 2 Coach of the Year, and he captured the fan vote for the Bryant Coach of the Year Award.

Heupel’s teams have established a clear identity as the nation’s No. 1 offense with an attacking defense. In 2022, the Vols led the nation in scoring offense (46.1), total offense (525.5), passing efficiency (181.4) and total touchdowns (79) for the first time in school history. That occurred after UT was the nation’s most improved offense when it finished top 10 in all four of those categories in Heupel’s first year.

The Vols finished top 15 nationally in total tackles for loss and tackles for loss per game in each of the past two seasons, including tops in the SEC in 2022 (7.2).

A year after breaking eight team single-season records, Tennessee shattered 15 program marks during the 2022 campaign. Heupel’s offensive unit rewrote the annals in total points (599), points per game, total offense (6,832), total offense per game, yards per play (7.2), total touchdowns, passing touchdowns (38), rushing touchdowns (40), completion percentage (68.7), passing efficiency, passing yards (4,239), fewest interceptions thrown (3) and first downs (330).

The Vols’ rise to national prominence under Heupel’s leadership has enabled UT to sign back-to-back elite recruiting classes. His top-10 Class of 2023 features three of the top 50 signees in the country according to On3.com, including the nation’s No. 1 player in quarterback Nico Iamaleava of Long Beach, California.

Player development has been evident as well in the Heupel era. Five Vols were selected in the 2022 NFL Draft, representing the program’s most since 2017 and more than UT produced the previous three drafts combined. The Vols are poised to add to that number this spring.

Four Tennessee players earned first-team All-SEC recognition from the league’s coaches in the fall of 2022—wide receiver Jalin Hyatt, quarterback Hendon Hooker, offensive tackle Darnell Wright and defensive end Byron Young. The four selections were the most for the program since 2006.

Heupel mentored Hooker, who swept the SEC Offensive Player of the Year awards as selected by the coaches and Associated Press, after an indelible season. Hooker secured the highest Heisman Trophy finish by a Vol in 25 years with fifth place. Meanwhile, Hyatt became the first player in school history to claim the Biletnikoff Award as the nation’s top receiver. He earned the prestigious honor of becoming the 13th unanimous first-team All-American in UT history and the first since College Football Hall of Famer Eric Berry in 2009.

Off the field, the Vols have flourished under Heupel with 34 SEC Academic Honor Roll selections in the fall of 2021 and three Academic All-America accolades in the last two seasons combined. In 2021, Tennessee produced multiple College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-Americans in the same season for the first time as Paxton Brooks and Matthew Butler received first- and second-team distinctions, respectively. Brooks repeated the honor in 2022.

The Vols’ on-field success also correlated in the classroom, as the football program’s 2022 fall semester GPA was its highest on record, with 13 Dean’s List student-athletes leading the way.

Heupel emphasized the holistic development of the student-athlete and enhanced the team’s player development staff. The group focuses on year-round programming geared toward preparing the Vols for personal, academic and leadership success, as well as community engagement efforts.

The Aberdeen, South Dakota, native owns a stellar 46-16 overall record (.742) and a 30-11 (.732) conference mark in five seasons as a head coach. His 46 victories since 2018 are top eight nationally, and he is one of only four active FBS head coaches to lead multiple programs to New Year’s Six Bowl appearances in the CFP era. His teams have earned bowl berths and finished in the top 10 nationally in scoring and total offense in all five seasons.

Heupel’s extension terms include annual compensation of $9 million, plus incentives.  

-UT Athletics

Vols HC Josh Heupel / Credit: UT Athletics
Knoxville Man Takes Police in Two Counties on a Chase

Knoxville Man Takes Police in Two Counties on a Chase

A Knoxville man takes police from multiple counties on a chase which started in Loudon County.

That chase ended when 25-year-old Jamal Huley was caught by Knox County Deputies after racking up multiple charges.

It started when he was found going a 100 mph on Interstate 75 in Loudon County.

Huley was transported to the Loudon County Detention Center and has multiple charges:

Huley was transported to the Loudon County Detention Center and has been charged with the following violations:

Aggravated Assault
Failure to Exercise Due Care
Reckless Driving
Financial Responsibility Law
Headlight on Motor Vehicle Required
No Drivers License
Improper Passing of Vehicle
Disregarding Traffic Control Signals
Reckless Endangerment
Speeding
Driving on Roadways Laned for Traffic
Evading Arrest

Huley was held pending bond.

East Tennessee Valley Crime Stoppers Needs Your Help to Find a Man Wanted in Multiple East Tennessee Counties on Various Charges Including Attempted First-Degree Murder

East Tennessee Valley Crime Stoppers Needs Your Help to Find a Man Wanted in Multiple East Tennessee Counties on Various Charges Including Attempted First-Degree Murder

Have you seen fugitive Demarco Derez Williams? Williams is wanted on Attempted First-Degree Murder and Aggravated Assault charges stemming from a shooting that took place during the early morning hours of December 21, 2022 in Strawberry Plains, TN. 

In addition, to these charges by the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office the Knoxville Police Department is looking for Williams on several felony charges from an incident that took place around West Hills in September resulting in Especially Aggravated Kidnapping, Aggravated Assault and Carjacking charges. 

Though Williams is from the Atlanta area he is known to frequent Knoxville staying in the motels along I40 near Cedar Lane. Williams should be considered armed and dangerous. If you have any information on his whereabouts submit a tip to East Tennessee Valley Crime Stoppers – 

Call: 865-215-7165 or ?TIPS

Online:http://www.easttnvalleycrimestoppers.org/sitemenu.aspx?ID=937&

All tipsters will remain anonymous and if your tip leads to his arrest, you will receive a CASH reward.

Knoxville Leaders to Consider Ban on Tethering Dogs Unsupervised

Knoxville Leaders to Consider Ban on Tethering Dogs Unsupervised

Photo courtesy of WVLT

Knoxville city council members will discuss a total ban of leaving dogs chained up outside unsupervised Tuesday night.

The current city ordinance allows it, but the Knoxville Animal Welfare Alliance wants to change that, and brought the issue up to city leaders. The co-founder of the group, Julia Roy, said they followed the guidelines of what Johnson City put into law a few years ago.

“We know Knoxville is a very pet-friendly community. We’re supposed to be one of the most dog-friendly communities in the nation, and we feel like this is a good step towards that title,” Roy said.

The proposed ordinance change would also include a requirement of at least a 10-foot chain if a dog is chained up outside supervised. They’re also asking city council to make an age requirement stating a dog needs to be six months or older to be chained up outside. The proposed change would also require dogs to be at least two feet from any sidewalks or other walkways. Roy said the goal is to provide better animal care for dogs in Knoxville.

″We hope that it ends the continuous tethering of dogs in Knoxville and that we can improve animal care standards as far as proper shelter for outdoor dogs where dogs aren’t being left outdoors in severe inclement weather,” Roy said.

The only city councilperson opposed to the ordinance change is also the CEO of Young-Williams Animal Center Janet Testerman.

The animal center sent WVLT News a statement which stated the following:

In accordance with the positions of national animal welfare organizations, Young-Williams Animal Center does not support a total ban on tethering. Young-Williams Animal Center supports, instead, enacting higher sheltering standards to improve the quality of life for tethered and non-tethered pets. The best way to make a significant impact on the lives of outdoor pets is to require better care such as increased and more specific definitions of shelter, accessible food and water, adequate shade and humane standards of tethering, such as replacing fixed-point tethering with trolley systems that allow animals to exercise and enjoy enrichment activities.

A total ban could have serious, unintended consequences, including disproportionately affecting and punishing low-income pet owners, and would not address the standards of care for pets still kept outdoors.

An estimated 53% of residents in the City of Knoxville are renters. Many pet owners do not have the ability or resources to install a fence or other containment alternative. From many years of working with pet owners, we know that pets are most often tethered due to a lack of resources and/or education.

With stronger sheltering laws, we can save pets being kept in inhumane conditions and make a long-term impact by educating pet owners.Young-Williams Animal Center

If the change were to get passed and go into effect, the punishment for leaving dogs tethered unattended would start as fines. If the problem were to continue and the dog is left without proper food, water or shelter, that’s when animal control could step in and take the dog off the property.

Story Courtesy of WVLT.

Knoxville Leaders to Consider Ban on Tethering Dogs Unsupervised

Knoxville Leaders to Consider Ban on Tethering Dogs Unsupervised

Photo courtesy of WVLT

Knoxville city council members will discuss a total ban of leaving dogs chained up outside unsupervised Tuesday night.

The current city ordinance allows it, but the Knoxville Animal Welfare Alliance wants to change that, and brought the issue up to city leaders. The co-founder of the group, Julia Roy, said they followed the guidelines of what Johnson City put into law a few years ago.

“We know Knoxville is a very pet-friendly community. We’re supposed to be one of the most dog-friendly communities in the nation, and we feel like this is a good step towards that title,” Roy said.

The proposed ordinance change would also include a requirement of at least a 10-foot chain if a dog is chained up outside supervised. They’re also asking city council to make an age requirement stating a dog needs to be six months or older to be chained up outside. The proposed change would also require dogs to be at least two feet from any sidewalks or other walkways. Roy said the goal is to provide better animal care for dogs in Knoxville.

″We hope that it ends the continuous tethering of dogs in Knoxville and that we can improve animal care standards as far as proper shelter for outdoor dogs where dogs aren’t being left outdoors in severe inclement weather,” Roy said.

The only city councilperson opposed to the ordinance change is also the CEO of Young-Williams Animal Center Janet Testerman.

The animal center sent WVLT News a statement which stated the following:

In accordance with the positions of national animal welfare organizations, Young-Williams Animal Center does not support a total ban on tethering. Young-Williams Animal Center supports, instead, enacting higher sheltering standards to improve the quality of life for tethered and non-tethered pets. The best way to make a significant impact on the lives of outdoor pets is to require better care such as increased and more specific definitions of shelter, accessible food and water, adequate shade and humane standards of tethering, such as replacing fixed-point tethering with trolley systems that allow animals to exercise and enjoy enrichment activities.

A total ban could have serious, unintended consequences, including disproportionately affecting and punishing low-income pet owners, and would not address the standards of care for pets still kept outdoors.

An estimated 53% of residents in the City of Knoxville are renters. Many pet owners do not have the ability or resources to install a fence or other containment alternative. From many years of working with pet owners, we know that pets are most often tethered due to a lack of resources and/or education.

With stronger sheltering laws, we can save pets being kept in inhumane conditions and make a long-term impact by educating pet owners.Young-Williams Animal Center

If the change were to get passed and go into effect, the punishment for leaving dogs tethered unattended would start as fines. If the problem were to continue and the dog is left without proper food, water or shelter, that’s when animal control could step in and take the dog off the property.

Story Courtesy of WVLT.

Vols Add Four FBS Transfers, Spring 2023 Newcomers Begin Classes

Vols Add Four FBS Transfers, Spring 2023 Newcomers Begin Classes

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee football has officially added four talented FBS transfers to its 2023 roster, while 24 additional members of the #RockyTop23 signing class began classes on Monday, the first day of the spring semester on the UT campus.

The four new FBS transfers include: offensive lineman John Campbell Jr. from Miami, defensive back Gabe Jeudy-Lally from BYU, defensive lineman Omarr Norman-Lott from Arizona State and wide receiver Dont’e Thornton from Oregon.  

They join tight end McCallan Castles from UC Davis, linebacker Keenan Pili from BYU, offensive lineman Andrej Karic and placekicker Charles Campbell, who were announced in December. All are now enrolled for the spring semester.

Additional spring semester enrollees from the #RockyTop23 class include:

The Vols are coming off their first 11-win campaign since 2001 along with a No. 6 final ranking following an Orange Bowl victory over ACC champion Clemson. With spring semester classes starting, offseason workouts are now underway for Tennessee football.

John Campbell Jr., OL, 6-5, 320, Orlando, Fla. (Miami/Dr. Phillips HS)
Skilled, veteran offensive lineman transfer who spent five years at Miami before transferring to Tennessee for the start of the 2023 spring semester … Will have one year of eligibility as a sixth-year redshirt senior in 2023 … Played in 33 games with 17 starts at Miami … Saw action in 12 games in 2022, starting at left tackle in 11 of those contests with 763 offensive snaps according to PFF … Did not play in 2021 while recovering from leg surgery … Played in seven games with four starts as a redshirt sophomore during the 2020 COVID-19 season … Saw action on 270 offensive snaps in 220 and allowed only one sack … As a redshirt freshman, played in 11 games with two starts … Made first career start at right tackle in 2019 season-opener vs. Florida and also started at left guard in the 2019 Independence Bowl vs. Louisiana Tech … Appeared in four games as a true freshman in 2018 … A four-star prospect and one of the top-20 offensive linemen in the country according to Rivals.com coming out of Dr. Phillips High School in the Class of 2018 … Considered a three-star signee by 247Sports.com and ESPN.com … Helped guide Dr. Phillips to a 13-2 record and its first-ever FHSAA football state title in 2017 … Received scholarship offers from over 25 schools, including multiple SEC programs, before choosing Miami … Twitter handle is @_jcamp74 and Instagram handle is @jcamp.74.

Gabe Jeudy-Lally, DB, 6-2, 185, Austin, Texas (BYU/Vanderbilt/Ardrey Kell (N.C.) HS)
Versatile defensive back graduate transfer who returns to the SEC … Played at Vanderbilt from 2019-21 before transferring to BYU for the 2022 season … Owns two seasons of remaining eligibility … Played in all 13 games with 10 starts for the Cougars where he starred at cornerback in 2022 … Tied for the team lead in pass breakups with seven, while ranking seventh on the squad in tackles with 46 as a junior, including 31 of the solo variety … Made a season-high seven tackles against Arkansas (10/15) … Notched a season-best three pass breakups vs. Utah Tech (11/19) … Played in 12 games and tallied 50 tackles – 35 solo – with one interception and one PBU in 2021 at Vanderbilt … Made a season-high 10 tackles in win vs. Mississippi State that fall … In 2020 at Vanderbilt, played in seven games with three starts, snagging one interception to go along with 13 tackles, one tackle for loss and one PBU … Recorded his first career interception and returned it 30 yards vs. Tennessee (12/12) … Member of the 2020 SEC Academic Honor Roll … Earned his degree from Vanderbilt … Prepped at Ardrey Key in Charlotte, North Carolina, where he was a three-star prospect by ESPN.com, Rivals.com and 247Sports.com … Finished his high school career with 103 solo tackles, three interceptions, six fumble recovers and a 23.7 kickoff return average … Logged 59 tackles, two picks and two fumble recoveries as a senior and was a two-time all-conference first team selection … Twitter handle is @GabeJeudy and Instagram handle is @gabe_jeudy.

Omarr Norman-Lott, DL, 6-3, 290, North Highlands, Calif. (Arizona State/Grant Union HS)
Athletic defensive lineman who transferred to Tennessee from Arizona State for the 2023 spring semester … Owns two seasons of remaining eligibility … In 2022, collected 14 tackles, three tackles for loss and two sacks in nine games for the Sun Devils … In 2021, played in 11 games and racked up 30 tackles
—16 solo—with four tackles for loss and two sacks … Made his first career start that season at Washington … Among players with at least 300 snaps played, was the fifth-highest graded interior lineman in the Pac-12 as a pass rusher with a score of 73.2 in 201 … Made one appearance as a true freshman in 2020 against USC before redshirting … A consensus four-star prospect coming out of Grant Union High School in Sacramento, California … Tabbed by Rivals as the No. 27 defensive tackle recruit nationally and the No. 29 overall prospect in California … Finished his high school career with 110 total tackles, 32 tackles for loss and 17 sacks … Compiled 45 total tackles, nine tackles for loss, five sacks and an interception returned for a touchdown during his six-game senior campaign of 2019 … Twitter handle is @LottOmarr and Instagram handle is @BagWayMarr.

Dont’e Thornton, WR, 6-5, 200, Baltimore, Md. (Oregon/Mt. Saint Joseph HS)
Speedy wide receiver who played two seasons at Oregon before transferring to Tennessee for the start of the spring 2023 semester … Owns two seasons of remaining eligibility … Played in 25 games in his two seasons at Oregon, combining for 26 catches for 541 yards and three touchdown catches … Caught 17 passes for 366 yards and one score, averaging a team-best 21.5 yards per catch as a sophomore in 2022 … Played in all 14 games with two starts as a true freshman in 2021 … Tallied nine receptions for 175 yards and two scores, headlined by four catches for 90 yards and a touchdown in the Alamo Bowl vs. Oklahoma (12/29) … A consensus four-star recruit and top-100 player nationally by 247Sports Composite … Prepped at Mount St. Joseph in Baltimore … Ranked the No. 72 overall player by 247Sports.com, No. 56 by Rivals.com and No. 88 by ESPN.com for the Class of 2021 … The No. 1 rated wide receiver in Maryland and was No. 6 in the 247Sports Composite and No. 10 by 247Sports.com at the position … Selected to play in the 2021 All-American Bowl and the 2021 Polynesian Bowl … Finished his high school career with 78 receptions for 1,881 yards and 26 touchdowns while averaging 24.1 yards per catch despite his senior season being postponed due to COVID-19 … As a junior, helped lead Mount St. Joseph to the 2019 MIAA Class A state championship with a 10-2 record … Finished his junior campaign with 38 receptions for 1,021 yards and 16 touchdowns in 11 games played … Also a standout in track and field … Twitter handle is @IamDTJ11 and Instagram handle is @mac11__.

-UT Athletics

Neyland Stadium – Knoxville / Credit: UT Athletics

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