Josh Ward’s Analysis: Evans is a powerful defensive lineman who will arrive on campus with the size to play in the SEC. Look for Evans to compete for playing time early in his Tennessee career.
Eric Cain’s Analysis: KaTron Evans never batted an eye when Jeremy Pruitt fired Jimmy Brumbaugh four games into his first-year and stayed true over the six-game losing skid. Understandably, Evans sees the opportunity to play early on and to learn from his former high school teammate, current Vol Dominic Bailey. Evans has good size (6-5, 315) and can play multiple techniques across the DL. I like his hand placement and attack off the line of scrimmage.
Bio: Explosive and physical consensus four-star defensive line prospect by 247Sports.com, Rivals.com and ESPN.com … Ranked the No. 4 player in the state of Maryland and No. 10 defensive tackle in the country by Rivals.com … The No. 7 player in the state of Maryland and No. 13 defensive tackle in the country by 247Sports Composite … ESPN300 recruit and No. 11-ranked player in the state of Maryland by ESPN … Has not played this season after the 2020 Maryland high school football season was canceled due to COVID-19 … Helped lead the Panthers to 11-1 record and No. 4 national ranking by MaxPreps in 2019 … A major contributor on one of the best defenses in all of high school football that allowed 4.8 points per game in 2019 … Played at Norfolk (Va.) Granby prior to junior season … Committed to Tennessee in May 2020 … Joins high school teammate and current UT freshman Dominic Bailey in Knoxville … Received offers from 39 different schools … Coached by Henry Russell … Twitter handle is @ColtBoyKayy.
Christian Charles
(DB) Gainesville, GA (Chestatee HS)
6’1, 185
Commit: 10/16/20
3-star on 247 Composite/Rivals/ESPN
Josh Ward’s Analysis: Charles is a versatile athlete who has played quarterback and run track in high school. He’ll add needed speed to Tennessee’s cornerback position.
Eric Cain’s Analysis: Charles is an athlete that garnered offers all over the place. He plays quarterback in high school but will fit into the defensive backield (probably at safety or STAR) at Tennessee as Jeremy Pruitt loves defensive backs to be ball-handlers in high school. He’s long, athletic, has good speed and room to add weight.
Bio: Dynamic athlete and a consensus three-star prospect by 247Sports.com, Rivals.com and ESPN.com … Outstanding athletic ability and vertical … The No. 33 player in the state of Georgia by 247Sports.com … The No. 31 athlete in the country by Rivals.com … 2019 Georgia 7-AAAA All-Region Team … 2018 Georgia Region 7-AAAA Co-Offensive Player of the Year … 2017 Georgia 7-AAAA All-Region Team Honorable Mention … Dual-threat quarterback for Chestatee High School who finished his prep career with 4,521 passing yards and 25 passing touchdowns as well as 2,711 rushing yards and 33 rushing touchdowns … Helped lead the War Eagles to a 7-4 record as a junior, throwing for 2,092 yards and 14 touchdowns while also rushing for 921 yards and 10 scores … As a sophomore, passed for 1,781 yards and seven touchdowns while rushing for 1,446 yards and 19 touchdowns … Only played in one game as a senior due to injury … First football player from Chestatee High School to sign with an SEC program since 2009 … Projected to play defensive back at Tennessee … Committed to the Vols in Oct. 2020 … Received offers from 23 different schools … Coached by Shaun Conley … Twitter handle is @CD___Charles3.
Amari McNeill
(OL) Suwanee, GA (Peachtree Ridge HS)
6’4, 285
Commit: 12/7/20
3-star on 247 Composite/Rivals/ESPN
Josh Ward’s Analysis: McNeill is a two-way lineman who will likely play defense for the Vols. Tennessee is looking for more size up front on defense and targeted McNeill, who likely would have received more college attention if not for the COVID-19 impact on recruiting.
Eric Cain’s Analysis: Tennessee was late in the game for McNeill, offering in late November, but like his versatility and size playing on both sides of the ball. The Vols’ believe his offensive background will play dividends on the defensive line where he displays a great get-off and hand placement when going up against blocking schemes he’s all too familiar with. McNeill has good size (6-4, 280) but will be a work in progress as Tennessee was easily his biggest offer.
Bio: Versatile and athletic two-way lineman who is a consensus three-star prospect by 247Sports.com, Rivals.com and ESPN.com … The No. 64 ranked player in the state of Georgia and the No. 60 rated offensive tackle in the country by ESPN.com … Selected to play in the Florida vs. Georgia All-Star Game in January, which features top high school players from both states … Helped lead Peachtree Ridge High School to the Georgia Class 7A state playoffs in 2020 for the first time since 2016 … Committed to the Vols in Dec. 2020 … Coached by Reggie Stancil … Twitter handle is @amarimcneill_.
Aaron Willis
(LB) Midlothian, VA (Life Christian Academy)
5’11, 210
Commit: 5/10/20
4-star on 247/Rivals/ESPN
Josh Ward’s Analysis: Willis has big-time upside with his athleticism and ability to play all over the field. He’ll look to add size in college, and when he does, Willis could be a difference-maker for Tennessee on defense.
Eric Cain’s Analysis: Tennessee’s top-rated prospect is a stud. He plays the linebacker position the right way with a good first step, instincts and great sideline-to-sideline speed. He has room to add weight as well. Before transferring out this summer, Willis was high school teammates will fellow commit K’Tron Evans and current Vol Dominic Bailey. He’s played with and against guys scattered across the SEC and is of great importance with the de-commit of Terrence Lewis a few weeks ago. Willis will be contending for playing time aside Henry To’o To’o the day he steps on campus.
Bio: A fast and physical linebacker who is a consensus four-star prospect by 247Sports.com, ESPN.com and Rivals.com … The No. 3 player in the state of Virginia, the No. 6 inside linebacker and No. 87 overall player in the country according to Rivals.com … Ranked the No. 5 player coming out of Virginia and the No. 9 outside linebacker in the country according to the 247Sports Composite … Was one of 51 players nationally named to Butkus Award watch list … A 2020 Under Armour All-America Game roster invitee … Transferred to Life Christian Academy in Chester, Va., to play as a senior … Recorded nine tackles, one sack and a seven-yard interception return in one outing during 2020 … Previously attended St. Frances Academy in Baltimore, Md., where he was teammates with current Vol Dom Bailey … Tallied 24 tackles and two sacks in five appearances as a freshman with St. Frances … Received offers from 27 schools … Committed to Tennessee in May 2020 … Coached by Charles Scott … Twitter handle is @44crzy.
ATHENS, GA – OCTOBER 10, 2020 – Offensive lineman Trey Smith #73 of the Tennessee Volunteers during the game between the Georgia Bulldogs and the Tennessee Volunteers at Sanford Stadium in Athens, GA. Photo By Andrew Ferguson/Tennessee Athletics
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee (3-6, SEC) concludes its 2020 regular season on Saturday at Neyland Stadium against No. 5/6/5 Texas A&M (7-1, SEC) with a noon ET kickoff on ESPN. Volunteer seniors Trey Smith (OL) and Matthew Butler (DL), talked with media members on Tuesday about some of their most memorable moments representing the Orange and White and their outlook for their matchup with the Aggies.
On how much bigger Saturday’s game feels with Texas A&M aiming to reach the College Football Playoff…
“This game this weekend is going to be an extremely big deal. You saw what happened in the Florida vs. LSU game this past weekend. Anything can change. I know (Texas) A&M knows that as well. They’ll be coming in and playing with their best ‘A’ game to put on a great performance. In the same breath, we have to come prepared because they’re one of the top five teams in the country. They’re a very talented group, especially on the defensive line. Facing them is going to be a great challenge for us. It’s something that we have to be prepared for.”
On what areas he believes he has improved in this season…
“That’s pretty simple. If you look at my medical situation, which is one of the main factors of why I returned, I think I’ve definitely nullified any issues with that. I’ve been practicing more. Obviously, I’m playing a full season without any major injuries or issues. My medical situation is absolutely perfect and clear. I think I’ve improved my stock and have taken those ‘what ifs’ off the table even more with NFL teams in the future.”
On how he would describe his Tennessee career…
“I would definitely describe my career as tough. From a personal standpoint and the things I’ve had to go through, the expectations every season. Sometimes we meet them. Sometimes we don’t. That’s obviously tough to go through, as well. I think just being resilient and going through a lot of different things. I know that Riley Locklear and I would always talk about how, when we first stepped on campus, we had a different o-line coach. We had coaching changes, as well. It hasn’t always been perfect, but at the end of the day, I love this university. I love this program. I’ve tried to fight every day for it, tried to be the best person I can be for it and trying to be the best player I can be for it. It’s not always an easy situation, but it’s something that I’m willing to fight for every day and I have fought for it every day. Going forward, we have to keep fighting to make this place better.”
On what he wants his legacy to be…
“I want people to think that I’m a guy who cared about his university, cared about playing football here and loves this school. He didn’t let adversity stop him from becoming what he’s going to be one day. When I say that, I mean being successful, having a football career, receive my degree as I already did and also play on the next level. At the end of the day, last year and even two years ago, nobody thought that I would be standing at this podium. Nobody thought that I would still be talked about. Nobody thought that I’d still be playing football. (It’s about) bringing that level of toughness every day, not really caring what other people say, but just coming to work, believing in God, believing in myself and believing in what I’m supposed to be.”
On who he looked up to when he was a freshman in 2017…
“That’s an easy question. Without a doubt, Jashon Robertson really showed me the ropes. He really taught me most of what I know, in terms of how to play, work ethic and how to be that guy. I would say Brett Kendrick was pretty influential as well. Playing next to him, being my tackle for the majority of the 2017 season, I relied on both of those guys as veterans on both sides of me, at the time. They mentored me on how to play, what the play is, how we’re going to do certain things, what’s required in certain situations and how we’re going to be successful. Big kudos to Jashon. He was actually in town a few weeks ago, so it was awesome to catch back up with him.”
On his favorite Tennessee memories…
“I would say my first game ever here, when we played Georgia Tech. That was really cool. I think we went into overtime. Winning that game in the fashion that we did, that was a really cool moment for me, especially being a freshman. I think we were the second game to be played in the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. That was a really cool moment. I can’t really narrow it down to two. I’ll probably say three. Beating Auburn on the road in 2018, a game nobody expected us to win and then also winning the South Carolina game last year in that fashion. That was a ton of fun.”
On what he’s taking away from the adversity of the last several months…
“It’s all about resiliency. In life, you go through your ups – sometimes your ups last for a long time. You go through your downs – sometimes your downs last a long time. You just thank the lord that you are able to make it through, be resilient through these tough times and keep your mind on right. Everything in life is a lesson.”
On his improvement over the last couple weeks and Senior Day…
“As far as my numbers and everything, I like balling. We all like balling, we all try to improve week by week. You look at the film and you say, ‘darn, I missed with that move’ or ‘darn, I could have came out my hips better on that.’ You have to practice and when you work on it, it translates to Saturdays and you make some plays. This past Saturday, I was fortunate enough to tie some things together and showcase some of the skills I knew I had. As far as Senior Day, coming back and the last game in Neyland and all that, I’ve definitely thought about it, I’m not going to sit here and say I that I haven’t thought about it. I just don’t really know exactly what I’m going to do. Today is Tuesday the 15th and I have a good while to figure that out. When it comes down to it, I’m trying to play really well in this game on Saturday and if we have another opportunity to play a football game then play really well in that. Get two wins and make it happen.”
On playing a team with a potential College Football Playoff spot…
“I don’t really think that them fighting for a College Football Playoff spot makes it more challenging. I believe that at the beginning of the year they felt like they were a good team like we thought we were a good team. They go into every game thinking lets win so we can accomplish whatever goal that any team may have. We are approaching this like we would any week in terms of mental preparation, excellent physical preparation, great recovery, great nutrition habits, knowing our opponent and going out there and playing to the best of our ability.”
On what he’s seen from Texas A&M on film…
“They have a talented offensive line. They work together; they’re one unit; they’re pretty disciplined; they don’t give up too many tendencies as far as their personal techniques. Even in these two or three days we’ve been able to pick up on how they play and what they do. They play pretty well or they wouldn’t be having the success that they are having and it is going to be a formidable opponent and an excellent challenge.”
On his favorite moments at Tennessee…
“One that comes to my mind is my first game here at the university versus Georgia Tech down in the Mercedes Benz Dome when they first opened it. I think we were like the first or second team to play in there. It was a really big game; it was an excellent game actually. You have moments like getting your first tackle, which was, I believe, the next game after Georgia Tech. You have moments like getting your first sack which was last year against Mississippi State. And you have all the wins that you get either on the road or in Neyland like beating Auburn on the road my sophomore year or securing a bowl game last year against Missouri. Those are all excellent memories and things that I will take with me for the rest of my career and life.”
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Four double-digit scorers and a suffocating defensive effort led the 10th-ranked Tennessee basketball team to a dominant, 79-38, victory over Appalachian State on Tuesday inside Thompson-Boling Arena.
The Mountaineers’ (4-2) 38 points were the fewest points a Tennessee team has allowed during the tenure of sixth-year head coach Rick Barnes.
On the boards, the Vols (3-0) were dominant for the second consecutive game, winning the rebound margin, 45-27.
Junior guard Victor Bailey Jr. led the Vols in scoring with 13 points in just 19 minutes of action.
Sophomore Josiah-Jordan James posted season-highs in both points (11) and rebounds (8), with five of his boards coming on the offensive glass. He also knocked down all three of his attempts from 3-point range.
Freshman Jaden Springer came off the bench to score 12 points on a highly efficient night from the field, knocking down six of his eight attempts.
Senior John Fulkerson was the most complete Vol on the night, tallying 12 points on 6-of-9 shooting, with five rebounds, three steals and a pair of blocks.
Tennessee came storming out of the gates, opening the game with an 18-4 run. During that stretch, the Vols held App State without a field goal for the contest’s first seven-plus minutes while also forcing four turnovers.
The Big Orange continued to pour it on as the half progressed, holding the Mountaineers to just four made field goals also while spreading the wealth on offense. Eight of nine Vols who saw first-half action penned their names on the score sheet as UT took a 36-13 lead into the halftime break.
Appalachian State’s 13 first-half points were the fewest given up in a half by the Vols since Nov. 6, 2018. On that date, UT held Division II Lenoir-Rhyne to 11 points in the second half and walked away with an 86-41 victory.
Tennessee maintained control throughout the second half, shooting .464 from the field as a team and maintaining its stifling effort on the defensive side of the floor to walk away with the 41-point win.
Take it Back: Through three games, Tennessee has forced 58 total turnovers for an average of 19.3 forced turnovers per game.
Defense… Just Defense: Through three games, the Vols are allowing just 47.0 points per game and have yet to yield 60+ points to an opponent.
#VolTwitterTakeover: Vol Twitter took over the @Vol_Hoops Twitter account for the night. At one point in the first half, #VolTwitterTakeover was the No. 3 trending topic in the nation.
Up Next: The Vols–in the midst of four games in nine days–return to Thompson-Boling Arena for a Friday night clash with in-state foe Tennessee Tech. Tipoff is slated for 7 p.m. ET on SEC Network+.
Late last week Sara Evans held 3 special virtual concerts to not just entertain her fans, but to also raise funds for her band since touring did not go as planned this year.
The concerts each had a theme, one was her greatest hits, one was her songs from “Copy That,” and the final show was her annual holiday themed At Christmas performance. Leading up to the concert event, Sara said “Since we can’t bring our Christmas tour on the road this year, we’re coming straight to your living room with some holiday cheer.”
Following the 3 successful virtual concerts, Sara shared, “We had such a blast doing these virtual shows! Not being able to tour this year has been really tough on our band and crew, so the fact that my fans came through and bought tickets to show them support means the world to me. I can’t tell you how good it felt to be back together and performing again…and I’m grateful to the fans who helped me give them a good end to this crazy year.”
Check out this exclusive clip of Sara Evans performing “Run, Run Rudolph” from her At Christmas virtual concert, which shares the name of Sara’s holiday album where you can also find this song…
