VFL Eric Berry Selected To 2023 College Football Hall of Fame Class

VFL Eric Berry Selected To 2023 College Football Hall of Fame Class

Posted on January 10, 2023

IRVING, Texas – Two-time unanimous first-team All-America defensive back Eric Berry of Tennessee has been selected to the 2023 College Football Hall of Fame Class, the National Football Foundation (NFF) & College Hall of Fame announced prior to the College Football Playoff National Championship on Monday.

Berry is one of 18 first-team All-America players and four standout coaches who were chosen to the 2023 class from a national ballot of 80 players and nine coaches from the FBS and 96 players and 33 coaches from the divisional ranks.

Berry and the 2023 class will officially be inducted during the 65th NFF Annual Awards Dinner Presented by Las Vegas on Dec. 5, 2023, at the ARIA Resort & Casino Las Vegas.

Berry becomes the 26th Vol to be enshrined in the College Football Hall of Fame and the second in the last three years. Al Wilson was selected in 2021. Of the 26 inductees, 22 were enshrined as players and four as coaches. The 22 players represent the most of any program in the SEC and the eighth-most nationally.

Berry, a native of Fairburn, Georgia, etched his name among the all-time greats in Tennessee history with his defensive prowess over a three-year stretch from 2007-09 after an All-America career at Creekside High School.

Berry earned unanimous first team All-America honors in 2008, and he repeated the accolade in 2009. He is the only player in school history to achieve that feat twice. In 2009, he became the first player in school history to claim the Jim Thorpe Award as the nation’s top defensive back after being a finalist in 2008. 

A finalist for the 2009 Nagurski Trophy, he also twice claimed the Jack Tatum Award from the Touchdown Club of Columbus as the nation’s top defensive back. Berry helped Tennessee to two bowl berths, including a 21-17 win over Wisconsin in the 2008 Outback Bowl, which gave the Vols a final No. 12 ranking. A Freshman All-America selection and the SEC Freshman of the Year that fall, Berry helped the Vols bring home the SEC East title in 2007 with 86 tackles, most among SEC freshmen.

Berry finished his freshman campaign with five interceptions for 222 interception return yards, shattering Bobby Majors’ school record of 177 yards set in 1970. Berry would break his own return yardage record the following fall.

A three-time All-SEC selection, including first-team honors in 2008 and 2009, Berry was named the SEC Defensive Player of the Year in 2008 after leading the conference with seven interceptions. Berry’s tenure in Rocky Top established him as the SEC’s all-time leader in career interception return yards (494) and single-season interception return yards (265 in 2008). He also holds the Vol record for career yards (35.3) per interception.

The two-year team captain culminated his career with 245 tackles, 17.5 tackles for loss, three sacks, 14 interceptions, 31 passes defended, two forced fumbles and four fumble recoveries. He ranks tied for fifth in UT career picks.

Berry became the highest drafted Vol defensive player since Reggie White (1984) when he was selected with the fifth overall pick in the first round of the 2010 NFL Draft by Kansas City. Berry played with the Chiefs until 2018, making five Pro Bowl appearances and earning first team All-Pro honors three times. After being diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma in 2014, he was named the 2015 NFL Comeback Player of the Year. He finished his NFL career with 445 tackles – 377 solo – to go along with 14 interceptions.

Following his NFL career, Berry returned home to Fairburn, and he currently works as an entrepreneur. He established the Eric Berry Foundation in 2011, which provides safe environments for children to participate in sports, and he hosts annual youth football clinics in Atlanta, Kansas City and throughout Tennessee. He has donated more than $100,000 to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, and he installed field turf in Duncan Park (Ga.) where he learned to play football.

What They Are Saying About Eric Berry in the College Football Hall of Fame …

“Congratulations to Eric Berry! I am so proud of his great accomplishment of being inducted into the National Football Foundation and College Football Hall of Fame. Eric earned his way into the Hall of Fame by his great ability to run, tackle, play the ball and return an interception, but even more so because of his character, work ethic, and love of the University of Tennessee and his teammates. Eric was the only player I had that started the first collegiate game of his career. He learned quickly, set a great attitude in the locker room and on the practice field. He was quiet and confident and let his actions speak for himself. He studied video, took to coaching exceptionally well and wanted to be the best player he could be every single day. His physical play was obvious, but Eric’s off-the-field leadership and the example he set as a man in our community endeared him to everyone who got to know him. Eric has wonderful parents that led the way for all of their boys! I know VFL dad, James, and mom, Carol, are proud of Eric as well. He joins a great group of Tennessee Volunteers in the National Football Foundation and College Football Hall of Fame.”
– Phillip Fulmer, NFF and College Football Hall of Fame Class of 2012

“On behalf of the entire Tennessee football program, we extend a huge congratulations to VFL Eric Berry on his selection into the College Football Hall of Fame. Eric’s legacy as the only two-time unanimous All-American in program history remains strong, and he serves an inspiration to so many. He continues a long-standing tradition of Vols enshrined in the Hall of Fame. Congratulations again to Eric and his family.”
– Josh Heupel, Tennessee Head Coach

Tennessee All-Time College Football Hall of Famers (year inducted)
Doug Atkins, T (1985)
Eric Berry, DB (2023)
George Cafego, QB (1969)
Steve DeLong, G (1993)
Doug Dickey, Coach (2003)
Bobby Dodd, QB (1959; elected as a coach at Georgia Tech in 1993)
Nathan Dougherty, T (1967)
Frank Emanuel, LB (2004)
Beattie Feathers, B (1955)
Phillip Fulmer, Coach (2012)
Herman Hickman, G (1959)
Bob Johnson, C (1989)
Chip Kell, G (2006)
Steve Kiner, LB (1999)
Hank Lauricella, TB (1981)
Johnny Majors, TB (1987)
Peyton Manning, QB (2017)
Gene McEver, HB (1954)
John Michels, G (1996)
Ed Molinski, G (1990)
Robert R. Neyland, Coach (1956)
Bob Suffridge, G (1961)
Reggie White, DT (2002)
Al Wilson, LB (2021)
Bowden Wyatt, E (1972)
Bowden Wyatt, Coach (1997) 

-UT Athletics

Eric Berry / Credit: UT Athletics
Hoops Preview: #5 Tennessee vs. Vanderbilt

Hoops Preview: #5 Tennessee vs. Vanderbilt

Posted on January 10, 2023

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The fifth-ranked Tennessee men’s basketball team returns home for an in-state battle Tuesday, taking on Vanderbilt at 9 p.m. ET. 
 
Fans can catch Tuesday’s game on SEC Network and online or on any mobile device through WatchESPN. WatchESPN can be accessed through the ESPN App, or online at espn.com/watch. Tom Hart (play-by-play), Dane Bradshaw (analyst) and Alyssa Lang (reporter) will have the call.
 
Fans can also listen live on their local Vol Network affiliate to hear Bob Kesling and Bert Bertelkamp describing the action.
 
Tennessee (13-2, 3-0 SEC) enters Tuesday’s game coming off two straight blowout wins over SEC opponents—most recently an 85-42 win at South Carolina on Saturday. Olivier Nkamhoua led the Vols in scoring and rebounding and tallied his third career double-double, posting a 21-point, 10-rebound effort. Nkamhoua’s 21 points came by way of a 10-for-10 shooting performance from the field, which tied a Tennessee program record for field goal makes without a miss in a single game.
 
 The Vols’ 43-point margin of victory marked the third-largest margin of victory in a road game in program history and largest since Feb. 8, 1965. It was also tied for the fourth-largest win over an SEC team in program history.
 
Coupled with last Tuesday’s 34-point win over Mississippi State, Saturday’s win gave Tennessee wins in back-to-back games over SEC opponents by 30 or more points for the first time since 1965.
 
Following Tuesday’s in-state matchup, Tennessee is back home for a showdown with rival Kentucky on Saturday. VFL Chris Lofton’s jersey will also be retired at halftime. Tip-off is set for 12 p.m. ET on ESPN.
 
THE SERIES
• Tennessee leads its all-time series with Vanderbilt, 128-75, dating to 1922. This is the 204th meeting.
• Only 181 miles separate UT’s Thompson-Boling Arena and Vanderbilt’s Memorial Gym.
• Tennessee has won 12 of the last 13 meetings in this series, including each of the last 10 overall and five straight at Thompson-Boling Arena.
• The Vols have out-rebounded the Dores in each of the last seven meetings.
• During the Rick Barnes era, Tennessee has held Vanderbilt to an average of 67.0 points per game (1,005 points in 15 games).
• The Vols are riding an 11-game win streak against in-state opponents.
• Tuesday’s game is branded as the #BeTheGift Showdown, as Tennessee and Vanderbilt have partnered with Tennessee Donor Services in an effort to promote organ donor registration. For info, visit BeTheGiftToday.com
 
SCOUTING REPORT
• The Vols occupy the No. 2 spot in the NCAA’s NET ratings.
• Tennessee ranks among the top five nationally in eight different statistical categories.
• These Vols have won eight games by 30 or more points.
• While UT’s defense gets the headlines, during SEC play, the Vols lead the league in both assists (20.0 apg) and field-goal percentage (.544).
• The Vols own a ridiculous +27.0 scoring margin in SEC games. That is complemented by a +17.3 rebound margin.
• The Vols outscored their last two opponents by 77 points.
• Tennessee has yet to trail during the year 2023, and senior Olivier Nkamhoua has yet to miss a field-goal attempt in 2023 (15 of 15).
• UT’s bench is giving the Vols 26.1 points per game.
• Tennessee is riding a 24-game home win streak at Thompson-Boling Arena and ranks fifth nationally in average home attendance (16,779).
 
THE NATION’S BEST DEFENSE
• For the seventh straight week, the Volunteers own the best adjusted defensive efficiency in the country per KenPom, allowing only 80.5 points per 100 possessions.
• Tennessee owns the best overall field-goal percentage defense (.332) and 3-point defense in Division I (.208).
• In 15 games, Tennessee opponents have managed to make only 70 3-pointers—just 4.7 per game.
• Nine times this season, the Vols have held their opponents to 50 points or less. Tennessee has now done that 29 times during the Barnes era (2015-present).
• Only two opposing players have scored 20 or more points against the Vols this season.
• Tennessee trailed at the break only once this season and is outscoring its opponents 36.3 ppg to 23.9 ppg (+12.4 ppg) in first-half action.
 
ABOUT VANDERBILT
• Vanderbilt (8-7, 1-1 SEC) has split its first two games of conference play, defeating South Carolina at home last Tuesday in overtime, 84-79, before falling at No. 20 Missouri on Saturday, 85-82.
• The Commodores have played three true road games so far this season—grabbing an overtime win at Temple on Nov. 15, but dropping close contests at VCU on Nov. 30 and at Missouri on Saturday.
• Currently ranked No. 115 in the NET, Vanderbilt has played three Quadrant 1 games this season—neutral-site games against Saint Mary’s and NC State and Saturday’s game at Missouri. The Commodores dropped those three games by an average of just 5.7 points per contest.
• Vanderbilt head coach Jerry Stackhouse is in his fourth season at the helm of the program, having posted a 47-61 record so far in his tenure. The Commodores entered this season off their most successful campaign yet under Stackhouse.
• Fifth-year senior forward Liam Robbins, who is in his second season at Vanderbilt after transferring from Minnesota, is leading the Commodores in scoring (12.9 ppg), rebounding (6.0 rpg) and blocked shots (2.9 bpg). His 2.9 blocked shots per game rank sixth in all of Division I.
• Robbins, a highly-touted transfer prior to last season, was sidelined until February of the 2021-22 season by a foot injury. He appeared in 15 of Vanderbilt’s final 16 games last season.
• In Rick Barnes‘ first season as the head coach at Clemson (1994-95), his Tigers faced North Carolina—led by the first-team All-American Stackhouse—three times. Stackhouse and the Tar Heels won all three meetings on their way to the Final Four.
 
RECENT TENNESSEE-VANDERBILT SERIES NOTES
• No player on this Tennessee roster has ever lost to Vanderbilt.
• Over the previous three seasons (six meetings), Tennessee has outscored the Commodores by 12.3 points per game (70.5 ppg to 58.2 ppg).
• Several Tennessee returners enjoyed strong performances during last season’s home-and-home sweep of Vanderbilt.
•  Zakai Zeigler averaged 13.5 points, 3.5 assists and 3.0 steals vs. Vanderbilt last season while making a living at the free-throw line (14 for 17).
• Also in those two wins, Santiago Vescovi shot .545 from 3-point range (6 for 11) and averaged 12.0 points and 4.5 rebounds.
• Uros Plavsic also played well during that two-game series, averaging 9.0 points while shooting 7-of-8 from the field and 4-of-5 from the line.
 
VOLS SUCCESSFUL ON THE IN-STATE CIRCUIT
• Tennessee has won its last 11 games against in-state opponents and is 27-5 vs. in-state foes under coach Rick Barnes.
• Those 27 wins came against Vanderbilt (12x), Tennessee Tech (5x), ETSU (3x), Lipscomb (twice), Austin Peay, Chattanooga, Memphis, Tennessee State and UT Martin.
 
VOLS LOCKING DOWN TOP SCORERS
• Thus far in SEC play, the opposing team’s leading scorer has struggled to produce against the Vols.
• Those top scorers are collectively being held 11.1 points below their average.
 
PLAYER, TEAM                        BEFORE          vs. UT    VARIANCE
Matthew Murrell, UM                 15.6 ppg           5            -10.6
Tolu Smith, MSU                       14.8 ppg           9            -5.8
GG Jackson, South Carolina    16.9 ppg           0            -16.9
 
DYNAMIC DEPTH
• Consider the following five-man lineup: Zakai Zeigler, Jahmai Mashack, Josiah-Jordan James, Tobe Awaka and Jonas Aidoo.
• Each of those Vols currently comes off the bench! During SEC play, that group is accounting for 35.0 ppg.
• Where would a team featuring that starting five finish in this year’s SEC standings?
 
AIDOO ON A ROLL RECENTLY
• In his first 10 games this season, Jonas Aidoo made just 15 of 41 field-goal attempts (.366).
• In the four games since, Aidoo is shooting 16-for-26 (.615) from the field.
• During that four-game span, Aidoo is giving the Vols 8.8 points, 7.5 rebounds and 1.8 blocks per game.
 
OLIVIER DELIVERING ON OFFENSE
• Senior forward Olivier Nkamhoua is shooting 35-of-46 (.761) from the field during Tennessee’s last five games. He has shot 50 percent or better from the field in all but two games.
• On Jan. 7 at South Carolina, he tied a Tennessee program record by shooting 10-for-10 from the field during a 21 and 10 double-double performance.
• A starter in every game this season, Nkamhoua is UT’s second-leading scorer (12.0 ppg) while ranking third on the team in both rebounding (4.9 rpg) and assists (2.5 apg).
• He totaled 41 assists through his first three seasons as a Vol (76 games) and already has 37 this year.
• That’s an impressive bounce-back after suffering a season-ending ankle injury at South Carolina last season on Feb. 5.
 
VOLS IN JANUARY AUTHORED HISTORIC TWO-GAME SEC STRETCH
• Tennessee defeated Mississippi State by 34 points (87-53) on Jan. 3 and then went on the road to beat South Carolina by 43 points (85-42) on Jan. 7.
• It was the first time since 1965 that the Vols had beaten consecutive SEC opponents by 30+ points.
 
VOLS’ ACTIVE HOME WIN STREAK = 24
• Tennessee is riding an active 24-game home win streak at Thompson-Boling Arena, which dates to its final home game of 2020-21 (March 7, 2021). It is the fourth-longest active win streak in the country.
• Last season, for the fourth time in the history of Thompson-Boling Arena (which opened for the 1987-88 season), the Vols went undefeated at home. Tennessee was a perfect 16-0 on Rocky Top, marking the second unblemished home record under head coach Rick Barnes.
 
WELCOME BACK, ALYSSA!
• The basketball Vols are undefeated (8-0) when Alyssa Lang is assigned to the game as the courtside reporter.
• Even Tennessee football is unbeaten with Lang working the sidelines (5-0).

-UT Athletics

Vols F Tobe Awaka / Credit: UT Athletics
Knoxville City Council Approves Specified Amount of Funding for a Pedestrian Bridge Connecting UT’s Campus to South Knoxville

Knoxville City Council Approves Specified Amount of Funding for a Pedestrian Bridge Connecting UT’s Campus to South Knoxville

Posted on January 10, 2023
Photo courtesy of WVLT

Updated story:

The Knoxville City Council approves funding of no more than $150,00 to hire a company to apply for grants to help fund the more than $50 million dollar pedestrian bridge project which will connect The University of Tennessee to South Knoxville.

The bridge would consist of walking and bike trails only, starting from Thompson-Boling Arena across to the South Knox waterfront over the Tennessee River.

City officials are planning on using the majority of federal grant funding to pay for the project which includes the RAISE grant.

Original Story: A bridge connecting The University of Tennessee to the southern banks of the Tennessee River is under development and will be known as the Pedestrian Bridge.

The bridge would consist of walking and bike trails only, starting from Thompson-Boling Arena across to the South Knox waterfront, connecting the campus to South Knoxville and the 18 miles of greenways that are part of the Knoxville Urban Wilderness.

The river is a natural amenity for the university but is also a natural barrier, making it harder to expand the campus.

Kim Bumpas, President of Visit Knoxville, said the expansion will help the south Knox community.

“If it’s built, we will be able to promote that as another way to get around our town, and I think that’s great for visitors and great for Knoxvillians and great for students and their family and also great for business and whatever develops because of it,” said Bumpas.

The campus continues to grow because of Tennessee’s record-breaking enrollment numbers. This project will help accommodate the students and individuals coming to Knoxville.

“I think the bridge and the way people will engage with the waterfront is just another opportunity,” said Bumpas.

This project has been discussed by stakeholders, university and city officials for 15 years now. The Knoxville City Council will decide this evening whether to approve the funding of the $55 million bridge. Bumpas says this will change Knoxville and help not only the university but the city as well.

“You will just see this ability for people to walk and commute that way and ride their bikes or however they’re going to use that bridge to get across. I think that’s going to be great for business because we’ve all created our own pathways to south Knoxville but to have one that is a little more dedicated for that form of transportation versus car, I think, will be huge,” said Bumpas.

City officials are planning on using the majority of federal grant funding to pay for the project. They will apply for the RAISE grant. The deadline for applying for the grant is February 28.

Story courtesy of WVLT

Two burglary suspects who walked off from a work release job site in downtown Knoxville are captured by the Knox County Sheriff’s Office.

Two burglary suspects who walked off from a work release job site in downtown Knoxville are captured by the Knox County Sheriff’s Office.

Posted on January 10, 2023

Two burglary suspects who walked off from a work release job site in downtown Knoxville are captured by the Knox County Sheriff’s Office.

KCSO said Ray Boone and Will Hatfield were on a work release job site in downtown Knoxville yesterday afternoon.

KCSO said both were serving charges on burglary and theft.

KCSO said both were captured this afternoon and are in custody at the Union County Sheriff’s Office.

Jimmy’s blog: It’s been a great ride but it’s time to pass the torch

Jimmy’s blog: It’s been a great ride but it’s time to pass the torch

Posted on January 10, 2023

By Jimmy Hyams

Most people never hit the lottery once in their lifetime.

I’ve been fortunate to hit four.

I hit the lottery when I was born into a fabulous family.

I hit the lottery when I found a profession that I love.

I hit the lottery when I moved to Knoxville in the best professional and personal move I’ve made.

And I hit the lottery when I married a wonderful wife who gave me two delightful daughters.

I won’t quote Lou Gehrig, but I do consider myself a lucky man.

Not everyone can say they have loved their job spanning seven decades. I can.

But now it’s time to say good-bye.

I’m retiring March 31.

A huge thanks to my bosses, co-workers, professional colleagues, coaches, athletes, fans that listen to our radio show, fans that read my articles and supported my work.

But now, I want to play tennis when I want to, play golf when I want to, play pickleball when I want to, hike the Smokies when I want to, kayak when I want to, travel when I want to, visit family when I want to.

My profession has been extraordinarily fulfilling.

The first article I had published in a newspaper was in February 1968. I was 12.

I started covering high school football and basketball games when I was 13.

I was named sports editor of the Natchitoches (La.) Times when I was 16.

It was the start of a remarkable journey.

I’ve covered the Masters and a Super Bowl. I’ve covered Final Fours in men’s and women’s basketball. I’ve covered a national championship football game in Arizona and a national championship tennis match in California. I’ve covered college football games from Pasadena to New Jersey to Miami. I’ve covered pro football, pro tennis and pro golf. I’ve covered sporting events in 32 states.

I’ve interviewed Michael Jordan and Shaquille O’Neal, Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus, John McEnroe and Serena Williams, Gale Sayers and Joe Namath, Meadowlark Lemon and Pete Maravich.

I’ve interviewed countless great Tennessee athletes, from Reggie White to Peyton Manning, from Ron Widby to Doug Atkins, from John Majors to Condredge Holloway, from Steve Kiner to Richmond Flowers, from Bernard King to Allan Houston, from Todd Helton to Chris Woodruff. I’ve even interviewed the marvelous Mary Costa about an opera singer singing the national anthem at a Super Bowl.

It’s been a fun ride.

It’s been a wild ride.

But it’s a ride that’s about to end.

I might not completely fade into media oblivion. I might do some free-lance work for the Sports Animal or do some free-lance writing.

But I’m ready for the daily grind to end.

I’m ready to pass the torch.

As the great John Ward once said when he retired: “It’s time.’’

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

Jimmy’s blog: It’s been a great ride but it’s time to pass the torch

Jimmy’s blog: It’s been a great ride but it’s time to pass the torch

Posted on January 10, 2023

By Jimmy Hyams

Most people never hit the lottery once in their lifetime.

I’ve been fortunate to hit four.

I hit the lottery when I was born into a fabulous family.

I hit the lottery when I found a profession that I love.

I hit the lottery when I moved to Knoxville in the best professional and personal move I’ve made.

And I hit the lottery when I married a wonderful wife who gave me two delightful daughters.

I won’t quote Lou Gehrig, but I do consider myself a lucky man.

Not everyone can say they have loved their job spanning seven decades. I can.

But now it’s time to say good-bye.

I’m retiring March 31.

A huge thanks to my bosses, co-workers, professional colleagues, coaches, athletes, fans that listen to our radio show, fans that read my articles and supported my work.

But now, I want to play tennis when I want to, play golf when I want to, play pickleball when I want to, hike the Smokies when I want to, kayak when I want to, travel when I want to, visit family when I want to.

My profession has been extraordinarily fulfilling.

The first article I had published in a newspaper was in February 1968. I was 12.

I started covering high school football and basketball games when I was 13.

I was named sports editor of the Natchitoches (La.) Times when I was 16.

It was the start of a remarkable journey.

I’ve covered the Masters and a Super Bowl. I’ve covered Final Fours in men’s and women’s basketball. I’ve covered a national championship football game in Arizona and a national championship tennis match in California. I’ve covered college football games from Pasadena to New Jersey to Miami. I’ve covered pro football, pro tennis and pro golf. I’ve covered sporting events in 32 states.

I’ve interviewed Michael Jordan and Shaquille O’Neal, Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus, John McEnroe and Serena Williams, Gale Sayers and Joe Namath, Meadowlark Lemon and Pete Maravich.

I’ve interviewed countless great Tennessee athletes, from Reggie White to Peyton Manning, from Ron Widby to Doug Atkins, from John Majors to Condredge Holloway, from Steve Kiner to Richmond Flowers, from Bernard King to Allan Houston, from Todd Helton to Chris Woodruff. I’ve even interviewed the marvelous Mary Costa about an opera singer singing the national anthem at a Super Bowl.

It’s been a fun ride.

It’s been a wild ride.

But it’s a ride that’s about to end.

I might not completely fade into media oblivion. I might do some free-lance work for the Sports Animal or do some free-lance writing.

But I’m ready for the daily grind to end.

I’m ready to pass the torch.

As the great John Ward once said when he retired: “It’s time.’’

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

Joey Halzle Elevated To Tennessee Offensive Coordinator

Joey Halzle Elevated To Tennessee Offensive Coordinator

Posted on January 5, 2023

KNOXVILLE –Joey Halzle, who has served as Tennessee’s quarterbacks coach during the most prolific two-year offensive stretch in school history, has been tabbed as the Volunteers’ new offensive coordinator, head coach Josh Heupel announced on Thursday.

“Joey has been instrumental in our record-setting offensive success over the past two seasons, and he’s built great trust within our team,” Heupel said. “I have known Joey for over 15 years, and his track record of player development has impacted every place he has been. He has complete knowledge of our aggressive offensive identity and principles. Having played and coached at this level, he understands how to connect with players and will continue to make a significant impact in recruiting. This will be a seamless transition for him as we strive to build a championship program that Vol Nation is proud of.”  

Halzle (pronounced HALLS-lee) has occupied the coaches booth on gameday the last two seasons and will continue to coach the quarterbacks. The Vols are coming off the most productive two-year span of quarterback play in school history, a room that tossed for 70 touchdowns and only six interceptions on 794 attempts during that time frame.  

“I am grateful to Coach Heupel for this opportunity, and I look forward to building on the dynamic offensive success we have achieved thus far,” Halzle said. “Our offense will continue to be the attacking, sophisticated and up-tempo unit that Vol Nation is accustomed to, while maximizing the potential we have as a team and individually. I have great appreciation for our players and want them to fulfill their aspirations at Tennessee. It’s our job as teachers to put them in a position to be successful—on and off the field—and have fun while doing it.”  

Halzle was part of a memorable 2022 campaign that saw the Vols shatter 13 team offensive records en route to the program’s first 11-win season since 2001. Despite missing three of the SEC’s top offensive players, the season culminated with a 31-14 victory over No. 7 Clemson in the Capital One Orange Bowl. UT amassed 375 offensive yards against a scoring defense that ranked top 25 nationally.

A year after breaking eight single-season records, the Vols eclipsed many of those same marks in 2022, including total points (599), points per game (46.1), total offense (6,832), total offense per game (525.5), yards per play (7.2), total touchdowns (79), passing touchdowns (38), rushing touchdowns (40), completion percentage (68.7), passing efficiency (181.4), passing yards (4,239), fewest interceptions (3) and first downs (330).

Tennessee’s offense led the nation in scoring offense, total offense and team passing efficiency, while ranking second in fewest interceptions thrown, third in red zone offense (94.0) and fifth in completion percentage.

It was Halzle’s quarterbacks who served as the catalysts for the Vols’ elite offensive identity. Quarterback Hendon Hooker was a finalist for the Maxwell Award and recorded the highest Heisman Trophy finish—fifth place—by a Vol in 25 years. He ranked second nationally in passing efficiency with a school-record mark of 175.51. Under Halzle’s tutelage, Hooker was named SEC Offensive Player of the Year by the league’s coaches and the Associated Press. Of the 28 FBS signal callers who fired 25 or more touchdowns, Hooker threw the fewest interceptions with only two.

When Hooker sustained a season-ending knee injury in the final month of the season, his roommate Joe Milton III carried the torch, leading the Vols to victories over Vanderbilt and Clemson. Halzle’s development of Milton saw the Pahokee, Florida, native finish the year with 971 passing yards on 53-of-82 attempts with 10 touchdowns and no interceptions.

Halzle’s recruiting prowess also was key as the Volunteers finished with a top-10 signing class according to 247Sports.com. Halzle signed one of the nation’s top-five overall players in five-star California quarterback Nico Iamaleava, who participated in bowl practices and is enrolled for the spring semester.

Halzle has worked alongside Heupel for 14 seasons dating back to Oklahoma. He spent two seasons on Heupel’s staff at UCF, serving as an offensive quality control analyst in 2019 before being promoted to quarterbacks coach in January 2020.

In his first season as quarterbacks coach with the Knights, UCF ranked in the top 10 nationally in total offense (second – 568.1), passing offense (fourth – 357.4), scoring offense (eighth – 42.2) and first downs (seventh – 283).

Halzle, a former Oklahoma quarterback like Heupel, spent the 2016 season as an offensive analyst and assistant quarterback coach at Missouri after serving in the same role at Utah State in 2015. Halzle teamed up with then-offensive coordinator Heupel as the Tigers produced the SEC’s No. 1 total offense, averaging 500.5 yards per game, good for 13th nationally. Quarterback Drew Lock finished the regular season with an SEC-best 3,399 passing yards, which ranked 10th nationally.

Halzle was an offensive graduate assistant for his alma mater from 2012-14 after helping the Sooners from 2009-11 as an offensive quality control assistant.

He earned three letters as a Sooner signal-caller from 2006-08, helping Oklahoma to Big 12 Conference titles each of those years and an appearance in the BCS National Championship Game as a senior. He was part of a skilled quarterback room that included Sam Bradford, who captured the 2008 Heisman Trophy in Halzle’s final season. Bradford was a consensus All-American, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2010 NFL Draft and the 2010 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year.

Halzle graduated from Oklahoma in 2008 with a degree in human relations and went on to earn a master’s degree in administrative leadership in 2014.

Halzle and his wife, Cara, have two daughters, Elliott and Saylor, and one son, Colson.

-UT Athletics

Joey Halzle – Vols OC / Credit: UT Athletics
Videos/Podcasts: Full Capitol One Orange Bowl Postgame Content

Videos/Podcasts: Full Capitol One Orange Bowl Postgame Content

Posted on January 4, 2023

Here are all the postgame videos, interviews and reports from Miami after Tennessee’s 31-14 win over the Clemson Tigers.

One final thank you to our incredible sponsors for helping me our coverage possible. Please visit them for your business needs to say thanks for helping bring you the content on the station and our digital platforms all week from South Florida.

Visit My Smokies…The only site you need for your Smoky Mountain Vacation!

Nothing Too Fancy…Bringing you the softest locally designed & printed apparel since 2012!

Roane State Community College…Together we succeed! Find out about free tuition options at Roane State dot e-d-u!

UT Athletics…Men’s and Lady Vols basketball tickets available now at all vols dot com!

Hound Dogs…Get your orange on! 9250 Kingston Pike across from Chuy’s Tex-Mex!

Bragg Weight Loss and Wellness…Visit bragg weightloss and wellness dot com and start living your most healthy life!

Hosts Jimmy Hyams and Vince Ferrara / Credit: 99.1 The Sports Animal
Videos/Podcasts: Full Capitol One Orange Bowl Postgame Content

Videos/Podcasts: Full Capitol One Orange Bowl Postgame Content

Posted on January 4, 2023

Here are all the postgame videos, interviews and reports from Miami after Tennessee’s 31-14 win over the Clemson Tigers.

One final thank you to our incredible sponsors for helping me our coverage possible. Please visit them for your business needs to say thanks for helping bring you the content on the station and our digital platforms all week from South Florida.

Visit My Smokies…The only site you need for your Smoky Mountain Vacation!

Nothing Too Fancy…Bringing you the softest locally designed & printed apparel since 2012!

Roane State Community College…Together we succeed! Find out about free tuition options at Roane State dot e-d-u!

UT Athletics…Men’s and Lady Vols basketball tickets available now at all vols dot com!

Hound Dogs…Get your orange on! 9250 Kingston Pike across from Chuy’s Tex-Mex!

Bragg Weight Loss and Wellness…Visit bragg weightloss and wellness dot com and start living your most healthy life!

Hosts Jimmy Hyams and Vince Ferrara / Credit: 99.1 The Sports Animal
Jimmy’s blog: Tennessee clubs Clemson to capture Orange Bowl title

Jimmy’s blog: Tennessee clubs Clemson to capture Orange Bowl title

Posted on December 31, 2022

By Jimmy Hyams

MIAMI – Coach Josh Heupel said Tennessee’s future is “freaky bright.’’

The present isn’t bad.

Joe Milton fired three touchdown passes, Squirrel White had a breakout game and linebacker Aaron Beasley was beastly as Tennessee (11-2) routed Clemson (11-3) 31-14 Friday night in the Orange Bowl to cap a splendid season.

Two years ago, Tennessee was coming off a 3-7 season, fired coach Jeremy Pruitt and faced 18 major recruiting violations.

But Heupel waved his magical wand and got the program turned around much quicker than anyone could have imagined.

This season, the Vols beat Florida, beat LSU, beat Alabama, then clocked Clemson.

That’s wins over three teams that won a national championship within the past five years.

Heupel did it despite, before last season, losing over 40 players to the portal or to retirement or to being let out of their National Letter of Intent

Against Clemson, Tennessee’s Heisman Trophy candidate at quarterback, Hendon Hooker, was injured (torn ACL) and couldn’t play. The Vols’ top two receivers, Jalin Hyatt and Cedric Tillman opted out.

And the Vols didn’t have their defensive leader, linebacker Jeremy Banks.

But they had defensive coordinator Tim Banks, and proved to be much more valuable.

Tim Banks dialed up a variety of blitzes and pressured Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik into several errant throws, especially when the Tigers got inside the UT 40-yard line.

Linebacker Aaron Beasley, who said before the game he would return to UT because he was still learning to play linebacker, was a defensive stalwart. He recorded two sacks and four tackles for loss in the first half alone.

A defense that struggled mightily in a loss to South Carolina late in the season, was terrific against Clemson, holding the ACC champions out of the end zone for three quarters.

Tennessee won 11 games for the first time since 2001 and for only the ninth time in school history.

The Tigers gained 484 yards and penetrated into UT territory 10 times, but missed three field goals, botched a fake field goal, threw an interception and failed to convert twice on fourth down inside UT territory.

Hard to imagine that Clemson ran 101 plays to Tennessee’s 66, yet got whipped soundly.

Vols quarterback Joe Milton, replacing the popular and productive Hooker, was named the Orange Bowl MVP, and he didn’t even have to throw an orange 110 yards. He compleed 19 of 28 passes for 251 yards and three touchdowns. He had scoring strikes to Bru McCoy of 16 yards, Squirrel White of 14 yards and Ramel Keyton of 46 yards.

While Milton was named the MVP, it could easily have gone to White, the diminutive true freshmen who was trying to fill the shoes of Hyatt and Tillman.

White, generously listed at 5-foot-10 and 165 pounds, caught nine passes for 108 yards and one score. He was the target of four of Milton’s first five throws.

The MVP also could have gone to Beasley, who finished with 12 stops and harassed Klubnik throughout the game.

Klubnik, the talented freshman who had 279 yards and three touchdowns in the ACC championship game win over North Carolina, was 30 of 54 for 320 yards, but he threw two interceptions and was ineffective when the Tigers got inside the UT 40-yard line. He also ran 20 times (he had 22 runs all season) for 51 yards. He had 74 run and pass plays – eight more than Tennessee.

Clemson had drives that ended at the UT 27, 35, 32, 22, 15, 43, 13, 23, 31 and 15.

The Tigers finally scored a touchdown with 10 minutes left in the game on a 4-yard scramble by Klubnik.  

But Tennessee responded with a 75-yard scoring drive, capped by Milton’s 46-yarder to Keyton.

Then the defense made two stops to seal the deal.

Tennessee senior tight end Jacob Warren said growing up, he always dreamed about playing against Clemson. To beat the Tigers in the Orange Bowl was a special treat.

Young, who said before the game he was committed to playing so he could cap an outstanding season, said after the win he came close to opting out to focus on the NFL draft.

What was the deciding factor?

“I prayed about it,’’ he said.

And he didn’t want to abandon his teammates in a New Year’s Six bowl game and he didn’t want to abandon the program that gave him a chance two years ago after he toiled as a store manager for Doller General and attended Georgia Military College, which didn’t play a game in 2020 due to Covid.

Hooker, who had surgery Dec. 13, joined his teammates during practice, helping any way he could. He gave advice to Milton, attended practices, sat in meetings.

“I couldn’t be more proud of this team,’’ said Hooker, who committed to Tennessee in January 2021 just after a three-win season and just before Pruitt was fired.

He sat in a locker-room chair, his leg extended and supported by a knee brace, and bragged about his teammates.

If not for Hooker, Tennessee wouldn’t have won 11 games this year.

If not for Milton, Tennessee might not have won the Orange Bowl.

If not for the defense, the Vols might had ended the season on a sour note.

But that wasn’t the case.

After the one-sided win over Clemson, Heupel was about asked his future plans.

“Don’t I get to enjoy this victory?’’ he asked

Yes indeed. And you can enjoy a splendid season as well.

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

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