Omarr Norman-Lott Chosen In Second Round of 2025 NFL Draft
GREEN BAY, Wis. – Another member of Tennessee’s stellar defensive line is off the board in the 2025 NFL Draft as Omarr Norman-Lott was selected with the No. 63 overall pick in the second round by the AFC champion Kansas City Chiefs Friday night.
Tennessee was one of five programs nationally in this draft with multiple defensive linemen chosen through the first two rounds, joining Georgia, Michigan, Ohio State and Texas A&M.
Norman-Lott totaled 44 tackles, 10 tackles for loss and 9.5 sacks in his two years on Rocky Top after transferring from Arizona State. According to Pro Football Focus, he owned an 18.9 percent pass rush win rate last fall, which ranked first nationally among defensive tackles. He finished the 2024 season with four tackles for loss and four sacks.
Norman-Lott is the third Tennessee defensive lineman selected through the first three rounds in the last three drafts, joining James Pearce Jr. (2025 first round Thursday night) and Byron Young (2023 third round). He heads to a Kansas City organization where he will line up next to All-Pro Chris Jones and unite with VFL Trey Smith.
“I am just so happy to be a Chief,” Norman-Lott said. “I am coming in with an open mind, ready to learn and get my playbook down and ready to go get a ring. I am ready to just get after it, go hunt some quarterbacks down and make some plays in the backfield.”
A total of 15 players in the Josh Heupel era have now been drafted (since 2022 NFL Draft). With the two total draft selections, Tennessee has produced 389 all-time draft picks, which dates back to 1936. That mark includes the AFL Draft, which merged in 1967.
Round four of the draft gets underway at noon ET Saturday on ABC, ESPN and NFL Network. Multiple Vols are still on the board, including 2024 SEC Player of the Year Dylan Sampson and wide receivers Dont’e Thornton Jr. and Bru McCoy.
#4/6 Vols Lose Late Lead in Series-Opening Loss at #3/7 LSU
BATON ROUGE, La. – No. 4/6 Tennessee was unable to hang on to a ninth inning lead in Friday’s series opener at No. 3/7 LSU, falling 6-3 at Alex Box Stadium.
It was a nightmare of a ninth inning for the Volunteers (34-8, 12-7 SEC), who committed two errors before surrendering a walk and three hits, including a walk-off three-run homer by Jared Jones. UT entered the inning leading 3-0 and had allowed just three hits up until that point.
Despite the miscues, Tennessee was still a strike away from escaping with the win before LSU leadoff hitter Derek Curiel drove a 1-2 pitch through the right side of the infield for an RBI single to tie the game at three and set the stage for Jones’ walk-off homer one batter later.
Andrew Fischer, Hunter Ensley and Gavin Kilen all had RBI hits for the Big Orange to account for the team’s three runs while Reese Chapman also had a productive night at the plate with a pair of singles. The Vols outhit the Tigers 9-6 on the night but also left 10 runners on base.
Doyle Does His Part
It was another dominant outing on the mound from junior lefthander Liam Doyle, who outdueled LSU ace Kade Anderson in a matchup of two of the SEC’s best pitchers before exiting the game with two outs in the seventh inning.
Doyle allowed just one hit and had six strikeouts over 6.2 scoreless innings despite having to deal with a lengthy weather delay that postponed the start of the game more than three hours.
Up Next
Tennessee will look to wipe the slate clean and rebound to even the series on Saturday night when the Vols and Tigers square off at 8 p.m. ET on ESPNU.
Rally Falls Short as No. 1/4 Lady Vols Drop 3-2 Decision to No. 16 Ole Miss
OXFORD, Miss. – A late rally came up just short for No. 1/4 Tennessee on Friday night, as the Lady Vols fell 3-2 to No. 16 Ole Miss at the Ole Miss Softball Complex.
The Rebels (34-12, 10-9 SEC) capitalized early with a three-run second inning. After a hit-by-pitch and a walk put two runners aboard, an infield single down the third-base line brought home the game’s first run. Ole Miss executed a squeeze bunt to plate its second, followed by an RBI groundout to cap the inning.
Tennessee (37-11, 12-7 SEC) responded in the sixth. Freshman Saviya Morgan sparked the offense with a bunt single, and Kinsey Fiedler followed with a triple to right-center to drive her in. Taylor Pannell cut the deficit to one with a sacrifice fly to score Fiedler.
The Lady Vols threatened again with back-to-back two-out walks in the sixth but couldn’t cash in. In the seventh, UT put two runners on but was unable to push across the tying run.
IN THE CIRCLE
Karlyn Pickens started for Tennessee, allowing three runs on one hit in two innings. The junior walked one and struck out three as she took the loss, moving to 18-6 on the season.
Freshman Erin Nuwer was strong in relief, tossing four shutout innings while allowing just one hit. She struck out five and walked two.
CHECK THE STATS
Fiedler’s triple was her eighth of the season, tying her with Lady Vol legend and recent Tennessee Athletics Hall of Fame inductee Lindsay Schutzler for the program’s single-season record.
Pannell extended her reached-base streak to 19 games with a single in the first inning. She is now one game shy of matching her career-best streak of 20, set earlier this season.
DUE UP
Tennessee and Ole Miss return to the diamond on Saturday for Game 2 of the series. First pitch is set for 3 p.m. ET and will be available for streaming on SEC Network+.
CDC Adds Tennessee to List of States with Measles Cases
Nashville, TN (WOKI) Tennessee has been added to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) growing list of states with measles cases.
According to the CDC, Tennessee is one of 30 states that have measles cases with six confirmed outbreaks since March.
Tennessee Department of Health officials reported the first measles case on March 21 in Rutherford County. So far in April, five more cases have been reported in Middle Tennessee.
As of April 24, 2025, nearly 900 measles cases have been confirmed in the following states:
- Alaska
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maryland
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Missouri
- Montana
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York City
- New York State
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
Texas has the highest amount with 646 cases of measles so far. New Mexico has the second highest number of cases, with 65.
Knoxville Mayor Delivers State of the City Address
(Story courtesy of WVLT News)
Knoxville, TN (WOKI) Knoxville Mayor Indya Kincannon delivered at Covenant Health Park Friday her State of the City address.
Kincannon chose Covenant Health Park as the backdrop of her speech said it “exemplifies her faith in the enduring strength of collaboration,” referring to the work done between the city, county, sports authority and Boyd Sports to the bring the ballpark to life.
Kincannon’s speech is often also the presentation of the budget for the coming fiscal year.
Mayor Kincannon is proposing a $477.3 million net budget she said prioritizes city services and public safety, while investing in strategic capital projects.
City officials said this budget is balanced, and the city’s property tax rate remains unchanged at $2.1556 per $100 of assessed value.
Another highlight: nearly 21.2% of the budget addresses spending for Knoxville police and fire, a total of $101.2 million.
Firefighters and police will see 4.2% step raises along with a cost of living increase for general government employees. Included is nearly $225,000 in salary increases for firefighters to bring them up to market level, the city said.
The budget also sets out to invest $8.2 million in affordable housing, aiming to send $4.2 million to Transforming Western, $2.5 million to the Affordable Rental Development Fund and $1.5 million to support permanent supporting housing projects.
The budget will also invest $350,000 to be matched by Knox County to increase beds in shelters across the city during cold weather.
The mayor’s office also said Kincannon is committed to building a clean and sustainable future and that her budget supports that mission.
$2.5 million for repairs to city buildings’ roofs and heating and ventilation systems, the city said, will pay for its self over time in energy savings.
The city will also invest $500,000 to fund community charging stations.
The largest piece of funding, outside investments in police and fire, is a $25 million lump sum payment on debt for the convention center.
City officials said this would decrease annual debt payments from $9.8 million a year to $5.7 million, saving $30.2 million, resulting in the city paying off the Knoxville Convention Center two years ahead of schedule.
The mayor’s proposed budget will be read for the first time by City Council on April 29 with a second reading on May 27.
Phillip Fulmer Golf Classic (5/2)
Friday, May 2nd
700 Turnberry Cir, Lenoir City, TN 37772
The Phillip Fulmer Golf Classic has been transforming young lives for more than 26 years! The event traces its roots back to July 1, 1979, when the first D.D. Lewis Celebrity Golf Tournament was held at Whittle Springs Golf Course. D.D. Lewis, a Club alumnus, played football at Fulton High School, went on to Mississippi State, and then to the Dallas Cowboys. Thanks to the dedication of its founders—Tournament Director Emmett P. “Buck” Vaughn Jr., Mr. James S. Bush, Mr. Larry Cox, and Mr. Buddy Burchell—the tournament has flourished. In 2000, it became the Phillip Fulmer Golf Classic, and since then, it has raised over $1 million for Boys & Girls Clubs of the Tennessee Valley.
For more information regarding the Phillip Fulmer Golf Classic, please call Maria at (865) 232-1113 or email Maria.
2025 Fulmer Auction – April 28th at 9am – May 2nd at 6pm EST
We have exciting items from Vol Network, Tailgate Tennessee, Lexus of Knoxville/Lexus Champions for Charity, Dollywood/Splash Country Package, and Flatrock Motorclub.
A Multi-County Police Chase Ends on Hardin Valley Road with One Person Arrested
A multi-county chase ends in Hardin Valley and a man is arrested for stealing a car, hitting three Knox County Sheriff’s Office Patrol Cars and various other offenses.
Deputies arrested Joshua Mayes yesterday following the chase. On Tuesday, Mayes burglarized two cars before stealing a red mustang parked in a driveway. KCSO spotted the car in West Knox County the next day and Mayes fled at high speed, driving recklessly.
Deputies found Mayes spray painting the mustang behind a business on Emory Road with agencies from Knox, Anderson and Loudon counties involved in the chase which resulted in Mayes hitting the KCSO patrol cruisers. No one was injured during the pursuit which ended when deputies deployed spike strips and Mayes was arrested on Hardin Valley Road.
Mayes previously had multiple warrants from the Tennessee Highway Patrol and the Blount County Sheriff’s Office. He now faces additional charges.
TBI investigating an Inmate Death in Claiborne County Where the Search for an Escaped Inmate Continues
Investigators with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation are looking into the death of an inmate at the Claiborne County Jail.
TBI says that the District Attorney General requested an investigation into the circumstances leading to the death of 48-year-old Jeremy Eastridge.
He was unresponsive in his cell yesterday (Thursday) and taken by ambulance to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Officials say Eastridge’s body has been sent for an autopsy and the investigation remains active and ongoing.
The death investigation comes as the deputies continue to search for an escaped Claiborne County inmate Larry Poore, who has been missing for more than a week after escaping on a work detail.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park Begins Multi-Year Rehabilitation of Iconic Bullhead Trail to Mount LeConte
GATLINBURG, TN (WOKI) —The National Park Service (NPS), in partnership with Friends of the Smokies, is beginning a multi-year rehabilitation of the iconic Bullhead Trail in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Beginning May 5, the park will close Bullhead Trail from Monday through Thursday each week, excluding federal holidays, through November 6, 2025.
The Bullhead Trail is one of several routes that lead to Mount LeConte, offering a challenging 13.6-mile roundtrip hike to the summit. Through this rehabilitation, the park will enhance overall trail safety by repairing tread surfaces, improving drainage, constructing trail structures such as staircases, turnpikes, and retaining walls, and removing tripping hazards like exposed rocks and roots. These efforts will also help protect the park’s natural resources.
Hikers are welcome to hike Bullhead Trail Friday through Sunday. The park plans to reopen the trail fully on November 6 and resume the rehabilitation in May 2026.
Following the completion of the Ramsey Cascades Trail rehabilitation in 2024, the park and Friends of the Smokies are beginning this rehabilitation of Bullhead Trail as the next project in the Trails Forever program. This program funds a permanent, highly skilled trail crew dedicated to the rehabilitation of high-use trails throughout the park. To date, Friends has contributed more than $4 million to rehabilitation projects, including those on Abrams Falls, Trillium Gap, Rainbow Falls, Alum Cave, Chimney Tops, Forney Ridge and Ramsey Cascades trails.
James Pearce Jr. Selected In First Round of 2025 NFL Draft
GREEN BAY, Wis. – Two-time first-team All-SEC edge rusher James Pearce Jr. became the latest Tennessee Vol to add his name to the program’s legacy of first round draft choices.
Pearce Jr. was selected with the No. 26 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft by the Atlanta Falcons, who traded up to take him Thursday night. With the draft taking place in Green Bay, Pearce Jr. held a family draft party in his hometown of Charlotte, North Carolina.
Pearce is Tennessee’s 48th all-time first round pick and the second in three years under head coach Josh Heupel. Offensive tackle Darnell Wright was taken No. 10 overall by Chicago in 2023.
Pearce is the first Tennessee player to be selected by Atlanta since defensive end Demetrin Veal went in the seventh round in 2003.
Pearce’s path to Tennessee began as a five-star recruit out of Chambers High School in Charlotte. In his three seasons on Rocky Top, he was a key part of the program’s resurgence and defensive prowess as the Vols won 29 games and ranked in the top 10 in the nation in tackles for loss his last two years.
Pearce generated 113 quarterback pressures in his three seasons and finished tied for 10th in UT all-time career sacks with 19.5, representing the most by a Vol since first rounder Derek Barnett had a school record 33 from 2014-16.
Pearce became the first UT defensive lineman to earn back-to-back first-team All-SEC honors since College Football Hall of Famer John Henderson from 2000-01. Pearce finished his junior season with 55 total pressures, 38 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks and 10 QB hurries. He also showed up in a significant way in big games, logging tackles for loss against Alabama, Oklahoma, Georgia and Ohio State.
It’s the third time in four years that Tennessee has produced at least one defensive lineman selected in the first five rounds under the tutelage of Rodney Garner and Levorn Harvin.
Additional Vols now wait to hear their names called the next two days. Rounds two and three are Friday beginning at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN and NFL Network. Rounds four through seven get underway at noon Saturday.
Omarr Norman-Lott Chosen In Second Round of 2025 NFL Draft
GREEN BAY, Wis. – Another member of Tennessee’s stellar defensive line is off the board in the 2025 NFL Draft as Omarr Norman-Lott was selected with the No. 63 overall pick in the second round by the AFC champion Kansas City Chiefs Friday night.
Tennessee was one of five programs nationally in this draft with multiple defensive linemen chosen through the first two rounds, joining Georgia, Michigan, Ohio State and Texas A&M.
Norman-Lott totaled 44 tackles, 10 tackles for loss and 9.5 sacks in his two years on Rocky Top after transferring from Arizona State. According to Pro Football Focus, he owned an 18.9 percent pass rush win rate last fall, which ranked first nationally among defensive tackles. He finished the 2024 season with four tackles for loss and four sacks.
Norman-Lott is the third Tennessee defensive lineman selected through the first three rounds in the last three drafts, joining James Pearce Jr. (2025 first round Thursday night) and Byron Young (2023 third round). He heads to a Kansas City organization where he will line up next to All-Pro Chris Jones and unite with VFL Trey Smith.
“I am just so happy to be a Chief,” Norman-Lott said. “I am coming in with an open mind, ready to learn and get my playbook down and ready to go get a ring. I am ready to just get after it, go hunt some quarterbacks down and make some plays in the backfield.”
A total of 15 players in the Josh Heupel era have now been drafted (since 2022 NFL Draft). With the two total draft selections, Tennessee has produced 389 all-time draft picks, which dates back to 1936. That mark includes the AFL Draft, which merged in 1967.
Round four of the draft gets underway at noon ET Saturday on ABC, ESPN and NFL Network. Multiple Vols are still on the board, including 2024 SEC Player of the Year Dylan Sampson and wide receivers Dont’e Thornton Jr. and Bru McCoy.
#4/6 Vols Lose Late Lead in Series-Opening Loss at #3/7 LSU
BATON ROUGE, La. – No. 4/6 Tennessee was unable to hang on to a ninth inning lead in Friday’s series opener at No. 3/7 LSU, falling 6-3 at Alex Box Stadium.
It was a nightmare of a ninth inning for the Volunteers (34-8, 12-7 SEC), who committed two errors before surrendering a walk and three hits, including a walk-off three-run homer by Jared Jones. UT entered the inning leading 3-0 and had allowed just three hits up until that point.
Despite the miscues, Tennessee was still a strike away from escaping with the win before LSU leadoff hitter Derek Curiel drove a 1-2 pitch through the right side of the infield for an RBI single to tie the game at three and set the stage for Jones’ walk-off homer one batter later.
Andrew Fischer, Hunter Ensley and Gavin Kilen all had RBI hits for the Big Orange to account for the team’s three runs while Reese Chapman also had a productive night at the plate with a pair of singles. The Vols outhit the Tigers 9-6 on the night but also left 10 runners on base.
Doyle Does His Part
It was another dominant outing on the mound from junior lefthander Liam Doyle, who outdueled LSU ace Kade Anderson in a matchup of two of the SEC’s best pitchers before exiting the game with two outs in the seventh inning.
Doyle allowed just one hit and had six strikeouts over 6.2 scoreless innings despite having to deal with a lengthy weather delay that postponed the start of the game more than three hours.
Up Next
Tennessee will look to wipe the slate clean and rebound to even the series on Saturday night when the Vols and Tigers square off at 8 p.m. ET on ESPNU.
Rally Falls Short as No. 1/4 Lady Vols Drop 3-2 Decision to No. 16 Ole Miss
OXFORD, Miss. – A late rally came up just short for No. 1/4 Tennessee on Friday night, as the Lady Vols fell 3-2 to No. 16 Ole Miss at the Ole Miss Softball Complex.
The Rebels (34-12, 10-9 SEC) capitalized early with a three-run second inning. After a hit-by-pitch and a walk put two runners aboard, an infield single down the third-base line brought home the game’s first run. Ole Miss executed a squeeze bunt to plate its second, followed by an RBI groundout to cap the inning.
Tennessee (37-11, 12-7 SEC) responded in the sixth. Freshman Saviya Morgan sparked the offense with a bunt single, and Kinsey Fiedler followed with a triple to right-center to drive her in. Taylor Pannell cut the deficit to one with a sacrifice fly to score Fiedler.
The Lady Vols threatened again with back-to-back two-out walks in the sixth but couldn’t cash in. In the seventh, UT put two runners on but was unable to push across the tying run.
IN THE CIRCLE
Karlyn Pickens started for Tennessee, allowing three runs on one hit in two innings. The junior walked one and struck out three as she took the loss, moving to 18-6 on the season.
Freshman Erin Nuwer was strong in relief, tossing four shutout innings while allowing just one hit. She struck out five and walked two.
CHECK THE STATS
Fiedler’s triple was her eighth of the season, tying her with Lady Vol legend and recent Tennessee Athletics Hall of Fame inductee Lindsay Schutzler for the program’s single-season record.
Pannell extended her reached-base streak to 19 games with a single in the first inning. She is now one game shy of matching her career-best streak of 20, set earlier this season.
DUE UP
Tennessee and Ole Miss return to the diamond on Saturday for Game 2 of the series. First pitch is set for 3 p.m. ET and will be available for streaming on SEC Network+.
CDC Adds Tennessee to List of States with Measles Cases
Nashville, TN (WOKI) Tennessee has been added to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) growing list of states with measles cases.
According to the CDC, Tennessee is one of 30 states that have measles cases with six confirmed outbreaks since March.
Tennessee Department of Health officials reported the first measles case on March 21 in Rutherford County. So far in April, five more cases have been reported in Middle Tennessee.
As of April 24, 2025, nearly 900 measles cases have been confirmed in the following states:
- Alaska
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maryland
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Missouri
- Montana
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York City
- New York State
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
Texas has the highest amount with 646 cases of measles so far. New Mexico has the second highest number of cases, with 65.
Knoxville Mayor Delivers State of the City Address
(Story courtesy of WVLT News)
Knoxville, TN (WOKI) Knoxville Mayor Indya Kincannon delivered at Covenant Health Park Friday her State of the City address.
Kincannon chose Covenant Health Park as the backdrop of her speech said it “exemplifies her faith in the enduring strength of collaboration,” referring to the work done between the city, county, sports authority and Boyd Sports to the bring the ballpark to life.
Kincannon’s speech is often also the presentation of the budget for the coming fiscal year.
Mayor Kincannon is proposing a $477.3 million net budget she said prioritizes city services and public safety, while investing in strategic capital projects.
City officials said this budget is balanced, and the city’s property tax rate remains unchanged at $2.1556 per $100 of assessed value.
Another highlight: nearly 21.2% of the budget addresses spending for Knoxville police and fire, a total of $101.2 million.
Firefighters and police will see 4.2% step raises along with a cost of living increase for general government employees. Included is nearly $225,000 in salary increases for firefighters to bring them up to market level, the city said.
The budget also sets out to invest $8.2 million in affordable housing, aiming to send $4.2 million to Transforming Western, $2.5 million to the Affordable Rental Development Fund and $1.5 million to support permanent supporting housing projects.
The budget will also invest $350,000 to be matched by Knox County to increase beds in shelters across the city during cold weather.
The mayor’s office also said Kincannon is committed to building a clean and sustainable future and that her budget supports that mission.
$2.5 million for repairs to city buildings’ roofs and heating and ventilation systems, the city said, will pay for its self over time in energy savings.
The city will also invest $500,000 to fund community charging stations.
The largest piece of funding, outside investments in police and fire, is a $25 million lump sum payment on debt for the convention center.
City officials said this would decrease annual debt payments from $9.8 million a year to $5.7 million, saving $30.2 million, resulting in the city paying off the Knoxville Convention Center two years ahead of schedule.
The mayor’s proposed budget will be read for the first time by City Council on April 29 with a second reading on May 27.
Phillip Fulmer Golf Classic (5/2)
Friday, May 2nd
700 Turnberry Cir, Lenoir City, TN 37772
The Phillip Fulmer Golf Classic has been transforming young lives for more than 26 years! The event traces its roots back to July 1, 1979, when the first D.D. Lewis Celebrity Golf Tournament was held at Whittle Springs Golf Course. D.D. Lewis, a Club alumnus, played football at Fulton High School, went on to Mississippi State, and then to the Dallas Cowboys. Thanks to the dedication of its founders—Tournament Director Emmett P. “Buck” Vaughn Jr., Mr. James S. Bush, Mr. Larry Cox, and Mr. Buddy Burchell—the tournament has flourished. In 2000, it became the Phillip Fulmer Golf Classic, and since then, it has raised over $1 million for Boys & Girls Clubs of the Tennessee Valley.
For more information regarding the Phillip Fulmer Golf Classic, please call Maria at (865) 232-1113 or email Maria.
2025 Fulmer Auction – April 28th at 9am – May 2nd at 6pm EST
We have exciting items from Vol Network, Tailgate Tennessee, Lexus of Knoxville/Lexus Champions for Charity, Dollywood/Splash Country Package, and Flatrock Motorclub.
A Multi-County Police Chase Ends on Hardin Valley Road with One Person Arrested
A multi-county chase ends in Hardin Valley and a man is arrested for stealing a car, hitting three Knox County Sheriff’s Office Patrol Cars and various other offenses.
Deputies arrested Joshua Mayes yesterday following the chase. On Tuesday, Mayes burglarized two cars before stealing a red mustang parked in a driveway. KCSO spotted the car in West Knox County the next day and Mayes fled at high speed, driving recklessly.
Deputies found Mayes spray painting the mustang behind a business on Emory Road with agencies from Knox, Anderson and Loudon counties involved in the chase which resulted in Mayes hitting the KCSO patrol cruisers. No one was injured during the pursuit which ended when deputies deployed spike strips and Mayes was arrested on Hardin Valley Road.
Mayes previously had multiple warrants from the Tennessee Highway Patrol and the Blount County Sheriff’s Office. He now faces additional charges.
TBI investigating an Inmate Death in Claiborne County Where the Search for an Escaped Inmate Continues
Investigators with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation are looking into the death of an inmate at the Claiborne County Jail.
TBI says that the District Attorney General requested an investigation into the circumstances leading to the death of 48-year-old Jeremy Eastridge.
He was unresponsive in his cell yesterday (Thursday) and taken by ambulance to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Officials say Eastridge’s body has been sent for an autopsy and the investigation remains active and ongoing.
The death investigation comes as the deputies continue to search for an escaped Claiborne County inmate Larry Poore, who has been missing for more than a week after escaping on a work detail.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park Begins Multi-Year Rehabilitation of Iconic Bullhead Trail to Mount LeConte
GATLINBURG, TN (WOKI) —The National Park Service (NPS), in partnership with Friends of the Smokies, is beginning a multi-year rehabilitation of the iconic Bullhead Trail in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Beginning May 5, the park will close Bullhead Trail from Monday through Thursday each week, excluding federal holidays, through November 6, 2025.
The Bullhead Trail is one of several routes that lead to Mount LeConte, offering a challenging 13.6-mile roundtrip hike to the summit. Through this rehabilitation, the park will enhance overall trail safety by repairing tread surfaces, improving drainage, constructing trail structures such as staircases, turnpikes, and retaining walls, and removing tripping hazards like exposed rocks and roots. These efforts will also help protect the park’s natural resources.
Hikers are welcome to hike Bullhead Trail Friday through Sunday. The park plans to reopen the trail fully on November 6 and resume the rehabilitation in May 2026.
Following the completion of the Ramsey Cascades Trail rehabilitation in 2024, the park and Friends of the Smokies are beginning this rehabilitation of Bullhead Trail as the next project in the Trails Forever program. This program funds a permanent, highly skilled trail crew dedicated to the rehabilitation of high-use trails throughout the park. To date, Friends has contributed more than $4 million to rehabilitation projects, including those on Abrams Falls, Trillium Gap, Rainbow Falls, Alum Cave, Chimney Tops, Forney Ridge and Ramsey Cascades trails.
James Pearce Jr. Selected In First Round of 2025 NFL Draft
GREEN BAY, Wis. – Two-time first-team All-SEC edge rusher James Pearce Jr. became the latest Tennessee Vol to add his name to the program’s legacy of first round draft choices.
Pearce Jr. was selected with the No. 26 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft by the Atlanta Falcons, who traded up to take him Thursday night. With the draft taking place in Green Bay, Pearce Jr. held a family draft party in his hometown of Charlotte, North Carolina.
Pearce is Tennessee’s 48th all-time first round pick and the second in three years under head coach Josh Heupel. Offensive tackle Darnell Wright was taken No. 10 overall by Chicago in 2023.
Pearce is the first Tennessee player to be selected by Atlanta since defensive end Demetrin Veal went in the seventh round in 2003.
Pearce’s path to Tennessee began as a five-star recruit out of Chambers High School in Charlotte. In his three seasons on Rocky Top, he was a key part of the program’s resurgence and defensive prowess as the Vols won 29 games and ranked in the top 10 in the nation in tackles for loss his last two years.
Pearce generated 113 quarterback pressures in his three seasons and finished tied for 10th in UT all-time career sacks with 19.5, representing the most by a Vol since first rounder Derek Barnett had a school record 33 from 2014-16.
Pearce became the first UT defensive lineman to earn back-to-back first-team All-SEC honors since College Football Hall of Famer John Henderson from 2000-01. Pearce finished his junior season with 55 total pressures, 38 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks and 10 QB hurries. He also showed up in a significant way in big games, logging tackles for loss against Alabama, Oklahoma, Georgia and Ohio State.
It’s the third time in four years that Tennessee has produced at least one defensive lineman selected in the first five rounds under the tutelage of Rodney Garner and Levorn Harvin.
Additional Vols now wait to hear their names called the next two days. Rounds two and three are Friday beginning at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN and NFL Network. Rounds four through seven get underway at noon Saturday.
Omarr Norman-Lott Chosen In Second Round of 2025 NFL Draft
GREEN BAY, Wis. – Another member of Tennessee’s stellar defensive line is off the board in the 2025 NFL Draft as Omarr Norman-Lott was selected with the No. 63 overall pick in the second round by the AFC champion Kansas City Chiefs Friday night.
Tennessee was one of five programs nationally in this draft with multiple defensive linemen chosen through the first two rounds, joining Georgia, Michigan, Ohio State and Texas A&M.
Norman-Lott totaled 44 tackles, 10 tackles for loss and 9.5 sacks in his two years on Rocky Top after transferring from Arizona State. According to Pro Football Focus, he owned an 18.9 percent pass rush win rate last fall, which ranked first nationally among defensive tackles. He finished the 2024 season with four tackles for loss and four sacks.
Norman-Lott is the third Tennessee defensive lineman selected through the first three rounds in the last three drafts, joining James Pearce Jr. (2025 first round Thursday night) and Byron Young (2023 third round). He heads to a Kansas City organization where he will line up next to All-Pro Chris Jones and unite with VFL Trey Smith.
“I am just so happy to be a Chief,” Norman-Lott said. “I am coming in with an open mind, ready to learn and get my playbook down and ready to go get a ring. I am ready to just get after it, go hunt some quarterbacks down and make some plays in the backfield.”
A total of 15 players in the Josh Heupel era have now been drafted (since 2022 NFL Draft). With the two total draft selections, Tennessee has produced 389 all-time draft picks, which dates back to 1936. That mark includes the AFL Draft, which merged in 1967.
Round four of the draft gets underway at noon ET Saturday on ABC, ESPN and NFL Network. Multiple Vols are still on the board, including 2024 SEC Player of the Year Dylan Sampson and wide receivers Dont’e Thornton Jr. and Bru McCoy.
#4/6 Vols Lose Late Lead in Series-Opening Loss at #3/7 LSU
BATON ROUGE, La. – No. 4/6 Tennessee was unable to hang on to a ninth inning lead in Friday’s series opener at No. 3/7 LSU, falling 6-3 at Alex Box Stadium.
It was a nightmare of a ninth inning for the Volunteers (34-8, 12-7 SEC), who committed two errors before surrendering a walk and three hits, including a walk-off three-run homer by Jared Jones. UT entered the inning leading 3-0 and had allowed just three hits up until that point.
Despite the miscues, Tennessee was still a strike away from escaping with the win before LSU leadoff hitter Derek Curiel drove a 1-2 pitch through the right side of the infield for an RBI single to tie the game at three and set the stage for Jones’ walk-off homer one batter later.
Andrew Fischer, Hunter Ensley and Gavin Kilen all had RBI hits for the Big Orange to account for the team’s three runs while Reese Chapman also had a productive night at the plate with a pair of singles. The Vols outhit the Tigers 9-6 on the night but also left 10 runners on base.
Doyle Does His Part
It was another dominant outing on the mound from junior lefthander Liam Doyle, who outdueled LSU ace Kade Anderson in a matchup of two of the SEC’s best pitchers before exiting the game with two outs in the seventh inning.
Doyle allowed just one hit and had six strikeouts over 6.2 scoreless innings despite having to deal with a lengthy weather delay that postponed the start of the game more than three hours.
Up Next
Tennessee will look to wipe the slate clean and rebound to even the series on Saturday night when the Vols and Tigers square off at 8 p.m. ET on ESPNU.
Rally Falls Short as No. 1/4 Lady Vols Drop 3-2 Decision to No. 16 Ole Miss
OXFORD, Miss. – A late rally came up just short for No. 1/4 Tennessee on Friday night, as the Lady Vols fell 3-2 to No. 16 Ole Miss at the Ole Miss Softball Complex.
The Rebels (34-12, 10-9 SEC) capitalized early with a three-run second inning. After a hit-by-pitch and a walk put two runners aboard, an infield single down the third-base line brought home the game’s first run. Ole Miss executed a squeeze bunt to plate its second, followed by an RBI groundout to cap the inning.
Tennessee (37-11, 12-7 SEC) responded in the sixth. Freshman Saviya Morgan sparked the offense with a bunt single, and Kinsey Fiedler followed with a triple to right-center to drive her in. Taylor Pannell cut the deficit to one with a sacrifice fly to score Fiedler.
The Lady Vols threatened again with back-to-back two-out walks in the sixth but couldn’t cash in. In the seventh, UT put two runners on but was unable to push across the tying run.
IN THE CIRCLE
Karlyn Pickens started for Tennessee, allowing three runs on one hit in two innings. The junior walked one and struck out three as she took the loss, moving to 18-6 on the season.
Freshman Erin Nuwer was strong in relief, tossing four shutout innings while allowing just one hit. She struck out five and walked two.
CHECK THE STATS
Fiedler’s triple was her eighth of the season, tying her with Lady Vol legend and recent Tennessee Athletics Hall of Fame inductee Lindsay Schutzler for the program’s single-season record.
Pannell extended her reached-base streak to 19 games with a single in the first inning. She is now one game shy of matching her career-best streak of 20, set earlier this season.
DUE UP
Tennessee and Ole Miss return to the diamond on Saturday for Game 2 of the series. First pitch is set for 3 p.m. ET and will be available for streaming on SEC Network+.
CDC Adds Tennessee to List of States with Measles Cases
Nashville, TN (WOKI) Tennessee has been added to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) growing list of states with measles cases.
According to the CDC, Tennessee is one of 30 states that have measles cases with six confirmed outbreaks since March.
Tennessee Department of Health officials reported the first measles case on March 21 in Rutherford County. So far in April, five more cases have been reported in Middle Tennessee.
As of April 24, 2025, nearly 900 measles cases have been confirmed in the following states:
- Alaska
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maryland
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Missouri
- Montana
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York City
- New York State
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
Texas has the highest amount with 646 cases of measles so far. New Mexico has the second highest number of cases, with 65.
Knoxville Mayor Delivers State of the City Address
(Story courtesy of WVLT News)
Knoxville, TN (WOKI) Knoxville Mayor Indya Kincannon delivered at Covenant Health Park Friday her State of the City address.
Kincannon chose Covenant Health Park as the backdrop of her speech said it “exemplifies her faith in the enduring strength of collaboration,” referring to the work done between the city, county, sports authority and Boyd Sports to the bring the ballpark to life.
Kincannon’s speech is often also the presentation of the budget for the coming fiscal year.
Mayor Kincannon is proposing a $477.3 million net budget she said prioritizes city services and public safety, while investing in strategic capital projects.
City officials said this budget is balanced, and the city’s property tax rate remains unchanged at $2.1556 per $100 of assessed value.
Another highlight: nearly 21.2% of the budget addresses spending for Knoxville police and fire, a total of $101.2 million.
Firefighters and police will see 4.2% step raises along with a cost of living increase for general government employees. Included is nearly $225,000 in salary increases for firefighters to bring them up to market level, the city said.
The budget also sets out to invest $8.2 million in affordable housing, aiming to send $4.2 million to Transforming Western, $2.5 million to the Affordable Rental Development Fund and $1.5 million to support permanent supporting housing projects.
The budget will also invest $350,000 to be matched by Knox County to increase beds in shelters across the city during cold weather.
The mayor’s office also said Kincannon is committed to building a clean and sustainable future and that her budget supports that mission.
$2.5 million for repairs to city buildings’ roofs and heating and ventilation systems, the city said, will pay for its self over time in energy savings.
The city will also invest $500,000 to fund community charging stations.
The largest piece of funding, outside investments in police and fire, is a $25 million lump sum payment on debt for the convention center.
City officials said this would decrease annual debt payments from $9.8 million a year to $5.7 million, saving $30.2 million, resulting in the city paying off the Knoxville Convention Center two years ahead of schedule.
The mayor’s proposed budget will be read for the first time by City Council on April 29 with a second reading on May 27.
Phillip Fulmer Golf Classic (5/2)
Friday, May 2nd
700 Turnberry Cir, Lenoir City, TN 37772
The Phillip Fulmer Golf Classic has been transforming young lives for more than 26 years! The event traces its roots back to July 1, 1979, when the first D.D. Lewis Celebrity Golf Tournament was held at Whittle Springs Golf Course. D.D. Lewis, a Club alumnus, played football at Fulton High School, went on to Mississippi State, and then to the Dallas Cowboys. Thanks to the dedication of its founders—Tournament Director Emmett P. “Buck” Vaughn Jr., Mr. James S. Bush, Mr. Larry Cox, and Mr. Buddy Burchell—the tournament has flourished. In 2000, it became the Phillip Fulmer Golf Classic, and since then, it has raised over $1 million for Boys & Girls Clubs of the Tennessee Valley.
For more information regarding the Phillip Fulmer Golf Classic, please call Maria at (865) 232-1113 or email Maria.
2025 Fulmer Auction – April 28th at 9am – May 2nd at 6pm EST
We have exciting items from Vol Network, Tailgate Tennessee, Lexus of Knoxville/Lexus Champions for Charity, Dollywood/Splash Country Package, and Flatrock Motorclub.
A Multi-County Police Chase Ends on Hardin Valley Road with One Person Arrested
A multi-county chase ends in Hardin Valley and a man is arrested for stealing a car, hitting three Knox County Sheriff’s Office Patrol Cars and various other offenses.
Deputies arrested Joshua Mayes yesterday following the chase. On Tuesday, Mayes burglarized two cars before stealing a red mustang parked in a driveway. KCSO spotted the car in West Knox County the next day and Mayes fled at high speed, driving recklessly.
Deputies found Mayes spray painting the mustang behind a business on Emory Road with agencies from Knox, Anderson and Loudon counties involved in the chase which resulted in Mayes hitting the KCSO patrol cruisers. No one was injured during the pursuit which ended when deputies deployed spike strips and Mayes was arrested on Hardin Valley Road.
Mayes previously had multiple warrants from the Tennessee Highway Patrol and the Blount County Sheriff’s Office. He now faces additional charges.
TBI investigating an Inmate Death in Claiborne County Where the Search for an Escaped Inmate Continues
Investigators with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation are looking into the death of an inmate at the Claiborne County Jail.
TBI says that the District Attorney General requested an investigation into the circumstances leading to the death of 48-year-old Jeremy Eastridge.
He was unresponsive in his cell yesterday (Thursday) and taken by ambulance to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Officials say Eastridge’s body has been sent for an autopsy and the investigation remains active and ongoing.
The death investigation comes as the deputies continue to search for an escaped Claiborne County inmate Larry Poore, who has been missing for more than a week after escaping on a work detail.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park Begins Multi-Year Rehabilitation of Iconic Bullhead Trail to Mount LeConte
GATLINBURG, TN (WOKI) —The National Park Service (NPS), in partnership with Friends of the Smokies, is beginning a multi-year rehabilitation of the iconic Bullhead Trail in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Beginning May 5, the park will close Bullhead Trail from Monday through Thursday each week, excluding federal holidays, through November 6, 2025.
The Bullhead Trail is one of several routes that lead to Mount LeConte, offering a challenging 13.6-mile roundtrip hike to the summit. Through this rehabilitation, the park will enhance overall trail safety by repairing tread surfaces, improving drainage, constructing trail structures such as staircases, turnpikes, and retaining walls, and removing tripping hazards like exposed rocks and roots. These efforts will also help protect the park’s natural resources.
Hikers are welcome to hike Bullhead Trail Friday through Sunday. The park plans to reopen the trail fully on November 6 and resume the rehabilitation in May 2026.
Following the completion of the Ramsey Cascades Trail rehabilitation in 2024, the park and Friends of the Smokies are beginning this rehabilitation of Bullhead Trail as the next project in the Trails Forever program. This program funds a permanent, highly skilled trail crew dedicated to the rehabilitation of high-use trails throughout the park. To date, Friends has contributed more than $4 million to rehabilitation projects, including those on Abrams Falls, Trillium Gap, Rainbow Falls, Alum Cave, Chimney Tops, Forney Ridge and Ramsey Cascades trails.
James Pearce Jr. Selected In First Round of 2025 NFL Draft
GREEN BAY, Wis. – Two-time first-team All-SEC edge rusher James Pearce Jr. became the latest Tennessee Vol to add his name to the program’s legacy of first round draft choices.
Pearce Jr. was selected with the No. 26 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft by the Atlanta Falcons, who traded up to take him Thursday night. With the draft taking place in Green Bay, Pearce Jr. held a family draft party in his hometown of Charlotte, North Carolina.
Pearce is Tennessee’s 48th all-time first round pick and the second in three years under head coach Josh Heupel. Offensive tackle Darnell Wright was taken No. 10 overall by Chicago in 2023.
Pearce is the first Tennessee player to be selected by Atlanta since defensive end Demetrin Veal went in the seventh round in 2003.
Pearce’s path to Tennessee began as a five-star recruit out of Chambers High School in Charlotte. In his three seasons on Rocky Top, he was a key part of the program’s resurgence and defensive prowess as the Vols won 29 games and ranked in the top 10 in the nation in tackles for loss his last two years.
Pearce generated 113 quarterback pressures in his three seasons and finished tied for 10th in UT all-time career sacks with 19.5, representing the most by a Vol since first rounder Derek Barnett had a school record 33 from 2014-16.
Pearce became the first UT defensive lineman to earn back-to-back first-team All-SEC honors since College Football Hall of Famer John Henderson from 2000-01. Pearce finished his junior season with 55 total pressures, 38 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks and 10 QB hurries. He also showed up in a significant way in big games, logging tackles for loss against Alabama, Oklahoma, Georgia and Ohio State.
It’s the third time in four years that Tennessee has produced at least one defensive lineman selected in the first five rounds under the tutelage of Rodney Garner and Levorn Harvin.
Additional Vols now wait to hear their names called the next two days. Rounds two and three are Friday beginning at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN and NFL Network. Rounds four through seven get underway at noon Saturday.
Omarr Norman-Lott Chosen In Second Round of 2025 NFL Draft
GREEN BAY, Wis. – Another member of Tennessee’s stellar defensive line is off the board in the 2025 NFL Draft as Omarr Norman-Lott was selected with the No. 63 overall pick in the second round by the AFC champion Kansas City Chiefs Friday night.
Tennessee was one of five programs nationally in this draft with multiple defensive linemen chosen through the first two rounds, joining Georgia, Michigan, Ohio State and Texas A&M.
Norman-Lott totaled 44 tackles, 10 tackles for loss and 9.5 sacks in his two years on Rocky Top after transferring from Arizona State. According to Pro Football Focus, he owned an 18.9 percent pass rush win rate last fall, which ranked first nationally among defensive tackles. He finished the 2024 season with four tackles for loss and four sacks.
Norman-Lott is the third Tennessee defensive lineman selected through the first three rounds in the last three drafts, joining James Pearce Jr. (2025 first round Thursday night) and Byron Young (2023 third round). He heads to a Kansas City organization where he will line up next to All-Pro Chris Jones and unite with VFL Trey Smith.
“I am just so happy to be a Chief,” Norman-Lott said. “I am coming in with an open mind, ready to learn and get my playbook down and ready to go get a ring. I am ready to just get after it, go hunt some quarterbacks down and make some plays in the backfield.”
A total of 15 players in the Josh Heupel era have now been drafted (since 2022 NFL Draft). With the two total draft selections, Tennessee has produced 389 all-time draft picks, which dates back to 1936. That mark includes the AFL Draft, which merged in 1967.
Round four of the draft gets underway at noon ET Saturday on ABC, ESPN and NFL Network. Multiple Vols are still on the board, including 2024 SEC Player of the Year Dylan Sampson and wide receivers Dont’e Thornton Jr. and Bru McCoy.
#4/6 Vols Lose Late Lead in Series-Opening Loss at #3/7 LSU
BATON ROUGE, La. – No. 4/6 Tennessee was unable to hang on to a ninth inning lead in Friday’s series opener at No. 3/7 LSU, falling 6-3 at Alex Box Stadium.
It was a nightmare of a ninth inning for the Volunteers (34-8, 12-7 SEC), who committed two errors before surrendering a walk and three hits, including a walk-off three-run homer by Jared Jones. UT entered the inning leading 3-0 and had allowed just three hits up until that point.
Despite the miscues, Tennessee was still a strike away from escaping with the win before LSU leadoff hitter Derek Curiel drove a 1-2 pitch through the right side of the infield for an RBI single to tie the game at three and set the stage for Jones’ walk-off homer one batter later.
Andrew Fischer, Hunter Ensley and Gavin Kilen all had RBI hits for the Big Orange to account for the team’s three runs while Reese Chapman also had a productive night at the plate with a pair of singles. The Vols outhit the Tigers 9-6 on the night but also left 10 runners on base.
Doyle Does His Part
It was another dominant outing on the mound from junior lefthander Liam Doyle, who outdueled LSU ace Kade Anderson in a matchup of two of the SEC’s best pitchers before exiting the game with two outs in the seventh inning.
Doyle allowed just one hit and had six strikeouts over 6.2 scoreless innings despite having to deal with a lengthy weather delay that postponed the start of the game more than three hours.
Up Next
Tennessee will look to wipe the slate clean and rebound to even the series on Saturday night when the Vols and Tigers square off at 8 p.m. ET on ESPNU.
Rally Falls Short as No. 1/4 Lady Vols Drop 3-2 Decision to No. 16 Ole Miss
OXFORD, Miss. – A late rally came up just short for No. 1/4 Tennessee on Friday night, as the Lady Vols fell 3-2 to No. 16 Ole Miss at the Ole Miss Softball Complex.
The Rebels (34-12, 10-9 SEC) capitalized early with a three-run second inning. After a hit-by-pitch and a walk put two runners aboard, an infield single down the third-base line brought home the game’s first run. Ole Miss executed a squeeze bunt to plate its second, followed by an RBI groundout to cap the inning.
Tennessee (37-11, 12-7 SEC) responded in the sixth. Freshman Saviya Morgan sparked the offense with a bunt single, and Kinsey Fiedler followed with a triple to right-center to drive her in. Taylor Pannell cut the deficit to one with a sacrifice fly to score Fiedler.
The Lady Vols threatened again with back-to-back two-out walks in the sixth but couldn’t cash in. In the seventh, UT put two runners on but was unable to push across the tying run.
IN THE CIRCLE
Karlyn Pickens started for Tennessee, allowing three runs on one hit in two innings. The junior walked one and struck out three as she took the loss, moving to 18-6 on the season.
Freshman Erin Nuwer was strong in relief, tossing four shutout innings while allowing just one hit. She struck out five and walked two.
CHECK THE STATS
Fiedler’s triple was her eighth of the season, tying her with Lady Vol legend and recent Tennessee Athletics Hall of Fame inductee Lindsay Schutzler for the program’s single-season record.
Pannell extended her reached-base streak to 19 games with a single in the first inning. She is now one game shy of matching her career-best streak of 20, set earlier this season.
DUE UP
Tennessee and Ole Miss return to the diamond on Saturday for Game 2 of the series. First pitch is set for 3 p.m. ET and will be available for streaming on SEC Network+.
CDC Adds Tennessee to List of States with Measles Cases
Nashville, TN (WOKI) Tennessee has been added to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) growing list of states with measles cases.
According to the CDC, Tennessee is one of 30 states that have measles cases with six confirmed outbreaks since March.
Tennessee Department of Health officials reported the first measles case on March 21 in Rutherford County. So far in April, five more cases have been reported in Middle Tennessee.
As of April 24, 2025, nearly 900 measles cases have been confirmed in the following states:
- Alaska
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maryland
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Missouri
- Montana
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York City
- New York State
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
Texas has the highest amount with 646 cases of measles so far. New Mexico has the second highest number of cases, with 65.
Knoxville Mayor Delivers State of the City Address
(Story courtesy of WVLT News)
Knoxville, TN (WOKI) Knoxville Mayor Indya Kincannon delivered at Covenant Health Park Friday her State of the City address.
Kincannon chose Covenant Health Park as the backdrop of her speech said it “exemplifies her faith in the enduring strength of collaboration,” referring to the work done between the city, county, sports authority and Boyd Sports to the bring the ballpark to life.
Kincannon’s speech is often also the presentation of the budget for the coming fiscal year.
Mayor Kincannon is proposing a $477.3 million net budget she said prioritizes city services and public safety, while investing in strategic capital projects.
City officials said this budget is balanced, and the city’s property tax rate remains unchanged at $2.1556 per $100 of assessed value.
Another highlight: nearly 21.2% of the budget addresses spending for Knoxville police and fire, a total of $101.2 million.
Firefighters and police will see 4.2% step raises along with a cost of living increase for general government employees. Included is nearly $225,000 in salary increases for firefighters to bring them up to market level, the city said.
The budget also sets out to invest $8.2 million in affordable housing, aiming to send $4.2 million to Transforming Western, $2.5 million to the Affordable Rental Development Fund and $1.5 million to support permanent supporting housing projects.
The budget will also invest $350,000 to be matched by Knox County to increase beds in shelters across the city during cold weather.
The mayor’s office also said Kincannon is committed to building a clean and sustainable future and that her budget supports that mission.
$2.5 million for repairs to city buildings’ roofs and heating and ventilation systems, the city said, will pay for its self over time in energy savings.
The city will also invest $500,000 to fund community charging stations.
The largest piece of funding, outside investments in police and fire, is a $25 million lump sum payment on debt for the convention center.
City officials said this would decrease annual debt payments from $9.8 million a year to $5.7 million, saving $30.2 million, resulting in the city paying off the Knoxville Convention Center two years ahead of schedule.
The mayor’s proposed budget will be read for the first time by City Council on April 29 with a second reading on May 27.
Phillip Fulmer Golf Classic (5/2)
Friday, May 2nd
700 Turnberry Cir, Lenoir City, TN 37772
The Phillip Fulmer Golf Classic has been transforming young lives for more than 26 years! The event traces its roots back to July 1, 1979, when the first D.D. Lewis Celebrity Golf Tournament was held at Whittle Springs Golf Course. D.D. Lewis, a Club alumnus, played football at Fulton High School, went on to Mississippi State, and then to the Dallas Cowboys. Thanks to the dedication of its founders—Tournament Director Emmett P. “Buck” Vaughn Jr., Mr. James S. Bush, Mr. Larry Cox, and Mr. Buddy Burchell—the tournament has flourished. In 2000, it became the Phillip Fulmer Golf Classic, and since then, it has raised over $1 million for Boys & Girls Clubs of the Tennessee Valley.
For more information regarding the Phillip Fulmer Golf Classic, please call Maria at (865) 232-1113 or email Maria.
2025 Fulmer Auction – April 28th at 9am – May 2nd at 6pm EST
We have exciting items from Vol Network, Tailgate Tennessee, Lexus of Knoxville/Lexus Champions for Charity, Dollywood/Splash Country Package, and Flatrock Motorclub.
A Multi-County Police Chase Ends on Hardin Valley Road with One Person Arrested
A multi-county chase ends in Hardin Valley and a man is arrested for stealing a car, hitting three Knox County Sheriff’s Office Patrol Cars and various other offenses.
Deputies arrested Joshua Mayes yesterday following the chase. On Tuesday, Mayes burglarized two cars before stealing a red mustang parked in a driveway. KCSO spotted the car in West Knox County the next day and Mayes fled at high speed, driving recklessly.
Deputies found Mayes spray painting the mustang behind a business on Emory Road with agencies from Knox, Anderson and Loudon counties involved in the chase which resulted in Mayes hitting the KCSO patrol cruisers. No one was injured during the pursuit which ended when deputies deployed spike strips and Mayes was arrested on Hardin Valley Road.
Mayes previously had multiple warrants from the Tennessee Highway Patrol and the Blount County Sheriff’s Office. He now faces additional charges.
TBI investigating an Inmate Death in Claiborne County Where the Search for an Escaped Inmate Continues
Investigators with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation are looking into the death of an inmate at the Claiborne County Jail.
TBI says that the District Attorney General requested an investigation into the circumstances leading to the death of 48-year-old Jeremy Eastridge.
He was unresponsive in his cell yesterday (Thursday) and taken by ambulance to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Officials say Eastridge’s body has been sent for an autopsy and the investigation remains active and ongoing.
The death investigation comes as the deputies continue to search for an escaped Claiborne County inmate Larry Poore, who has been missing for more than a week after escaping on a work detail.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park Begins Multi-Year Rehabilitation of Iconic Bullhead Trail to Mount LeConte
GATLINBURG, TN (WOKI) —The National Park Service (NPS), in partnership with Friends of the Smokies, is beginning a multi-year rehabilitation of the iconic Bullhead Trail in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Beginning May 5, the park will close Bullhead Trail from Monday through Thursday each week, excluding federal holidays, through November 6, 2025.
The Bullhead Trail is one of several routes that lead to Mount LeConte, offering a challenging 13.6-mile roundtrip hike to the summit. Through this rehabilitation, the park will enhance overall trail safety by repairing tread surfaces, improving drainage, constructing trail structures such as staircases, turnpikes, and retaining walls, and removing tripping hazards like exposed rocks and roots. These efforts will also help protect the park’s natural resources.
Hikers are welcome to hike Bullhead Trail Friday through Sunday. The park plans to reopen the trail fully on November 6 and resume the rehabilitation in May 2026.
Following the completion of the Ramsey Cascades Trail rehabilitation in 2024, the park and Friends of the Smokies are beginning this rehabilitation of Bullhead Trail as the next project in the Trails Forever program. This program funds a permanent, highly skilled trail crew dedicated to the rehabilitation of high-use trails throughout the park. To date, Friends has contributed more than $4 million to rehabilitation projects, including those on Abrams Falls, Trillium Gap, Rainbow Falls, Alum Cave, Chimney Tops, Forney Ridge and Ramsey Cascades trails.
James Pearce Jr. Selected In First Round of 2025 NFL Draft
GREEN BAY, Wis. – Two-time first-team All-SEC edge rusher James Pearce Jr. became the latest Tennessee Vol to add his name to the program’s legacy of first round draft choices.
Pearce Jr. was selected with the No. 26 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft by the Atlanta Falcons, who traded up to take him Thursday night. With the draft taking place in Green Bay, Pearce Jr. held a family draft party in his hometown of Charlotte, North Carolina.
Pearce is Tennessee’s 48th all-time first round pick and the second in three years under head coach Josh Heupel. Offensive tackle Darnell Wright was taken No. 10 overall by Chicago in 2023.
Pearce is the first Tennessee player to be selected by Atlanta since defensive end Demetrin Veal went in the seventh round in 2003.
Pearce’s path to Tennessee began as a five-star recruit out of Chambers High School in Charlotte. In his three seasons on Rocky Top, he was a key part of the program’s resurgence and defensive prowess as the Vols won 29 games and ranked in the top 10 in the nation in tackles for loss his last two years.
Pearce generated 113 quarterback pressures in his three seasons and finished tied for 10th in UT all-time career sacks with 19.5, representing the most by a Vol since first rounder Derek Barnett had a school record 33 from 2014-16.
Pearce became the first UT defensive lineman to earn back-to-back first-team All-SEC honors since College Football Hall of Famer John Henderson from 2000-01. Pearce finished his junior season with 55 total pressures, 38 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks and 10 QB hurries. He also showed up in a significant way in big games, logging tackles for loss against Alabama, Oklahoma, Georgia and Ohio State.
It’s the third time in four years that Tennessee has produced at least one defensive lineman selected in the first five rounds under the tutelage of Rodney Garner and Levorn Harvin.
Additional Vols now wait to hear their names called the next two days. Rounds two and three are Friday beginning at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN and NFL Network. Rounds four through seven get underway at noon Saturday.
Omarr Norman-Lott Chosen In Second Round of 2025 NFL Draft
GREEN BAY, Wis. – Another member of Tennessee’s stellar defensive line is off the board in the 2025 NFL Draft as Omarr Norman-Lott was selected with the No. 63 overall pick in the second round by the AFC champion Kansas City Chiefs Friday night.
Tennessee was one of five programs nationally in this draft with multiple defensive linemen chosen through the first two rounds, joining Georgia, Michigan, Ohio State and Texas A&M.
Norman-Lott totaled 44 tackles, 10 tackles for loss and 9.5 sacks in his two years on Rocky Top after transferring from Arizona State. According to Pro Football Focus, he owned an 18.9 percent pass rush win rate last fall, which ranked first nationally among defensive tackles. He finished the 2024 season with four tackles for loss and four sacks.
Norman-Lott is the third Tennessee defensive lineman selected through the first three rounds in the last three drafts, joining James Pearce Jr. (2025 first round Thursday night) and Byron Young (2023 third round). He heads to a Kansas City organization where he will line up next to All-Pro Chris Jones and unite with VFL Trey Smith.
“I am just so happy to be a Chief,” Norman-Lott said. “I am coming in with an open mind, ready to learn and get my playbook down and ready to go get a ring. I am ready to just get after it, go hunt some quarterbacks down and make some plays in the backfield.”
A total of 15 players in the Josh Heupel era have now been drafted (since 2022 NFL Draft). With the two total draft selections, Tennessee has produced 389 all-time draft picks, which dates back to 1936. That mark includes the AFL Draft, which merged in 1967.
Round four of the draft gets underway at noon ET Saturday on ABC, ESPN and NFL Network. Multiple Vols are still on the board, including 2024 SEC Player of the Year Dylan Sampson and wide receivers Dont’e Thornton Jr. and Bru McCoy.
#4/6 Vols Lose Late Lead in Series-Opening Loss at #3/7 LSU
BATON ROUGE, La. – No. 4/6 Tennessee was unable to hang on to a ninth inning lead in Friday’s series opener at No. 3/7 LSU, falling 6-3 at Alex Box Stadium.
It was a nightmare of a ninth inning for the Volunteers (34-8, 12-7 SEC), who committed two errors before surrendering a walk and three hits, including a walk-off three-run homer by Jared Jones. UT entered the inning leading 3-0 and had allowed just three hits up until that point.
Despite the miscues, Tennessee was still a strike away from escaping with the win before LSU leadoff hitter Derek Curiel drove a 1-2 pitch through the right side of the infield for an RBI single to tie the game at three and set the stage for Jones’ walk-off homer one batter later.
Andrew Fischer, Hunter Ensley and Gavin Kilen all had RBI hits for the Big Orange to account for the team’s three runs while Reese Chapman also had a productive night at the plate with a pair of singles. The Vols outhit the Tigers 9-6 on the night but also left 10 runners on base.
Doyle Does His Part
It was another dominant outing on the mound from junior lefthander Liam Doyle, who outdueled LSU ace Kade Anderson in a matchup of two of the SEC’s best pitchers before exiting the game with two outs in the seventh inning.
Doyle allowed just one hit and had six strikeouts over 6.2 scoreless innings despite having to deal with a lengthy weather delay that postponed the start of the game more than three hours.
Up Next
Tennessee will look to wipe the slate clean and rebound to even the series on Saturday night when the Vols and Tigers square off at 8 p.m. ET on ESPNU.
Rally Falls Short as No. 1/4 Lady Vols Drop 3-2 Decision to No. 16 Ole Miss
OXFORD, Miss. – A late rally came up just short for No. 1/4 Tennessee on Friday night, as the Lady Vols fell 3-2 to No. 16 Ole Miss at the Ole Miss Softball Complex.
The Rebels (34-12, 10-9 SEC) capitalized early with a three-run second inning. After a hit-by-pitch and a walk put two runners aboard, an infield single down the third-base line brought home the game’s first run. Ole Miss executed a squeeze bunt to plate its second, followed by an RBI groundout to cap the inning.
Tennessee (37-11, 12-7 SEC) responded in the sixth. Freshman Saviya Morgan sparked the offense with a bunt single, and Kinsey Fiedler followed with a triple to right-center to drive her in. Taylor Pannell cut the deficit to one with a sacrifice fly to score Fiedler.
The Lady Vols threatened again with back-to-back two-out walks in the sixth but couldn’t cash in. In the seventh, UT put two runners on but was unable to push across the tying run.
IN THE CIRCLE
Karlyn Pickens started for Tennessee, allowing three runs on one hit in two innings. The junior walked one and struck out three as she took the loss, moving to 18-6 on the season.
Freshman Erin Nuwer was strong in relief, tossing four shutout innings while allowing just one hit. She struck out five and walked two.
CHECK THE STATS
Fiedler’s triple was her eighth of the season, tying her with Lady Vol legend and recent Tennessee Athletics Hall of Fame inductee Lindsay Schutzler for the program’s single-season record.
Pannell extended her reached-base streak to 19 games with a single in the first inning. She is now one game shy of matching her career-best streak of 20, set earlier this season.
DUE UP
Tennessee and Ole Miss return to the diamond on Saturday for Game 2 of the series. First pitch is set for 3 p.m. ET and will be available for streaming on SEC Network+.
CDC Adds Tennessee to List of States with Measles Cases
Nashville, TN (WOKI) Tennessee has been added to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) growing list of states with measles cases.
According to the CDC, Tennessee is one of 30 states that have measles cases with six confirmed outbreaks since March.
Tennessee Department of Health officials reported the first measles case on March 21 in Rutherford County. So far in April, five more cases have been reported in Middle Tennessee.
As of April 24, 2025, nearly 900 measles cases have been confirmed in the following states:
- Alaska
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maryland
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Missouri
- Montana
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York City
- New York State
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
Texas has the highest amount with 646 cases of measles so far. New Mexico has the second highest number of cases, with 65.
Knoxville Mayor Delivers State of the City Address
(Story courtesy of WVLT News)
Knoxville, TN (WOKI) Knoxville Mayor Indya Kincannon delivered at Covenant Health Park Friday her State of the City address.
Kincannon chose Covenant Health Park as the backdrop of her speech said it “exemplifies her faith in the enduring strength of collaboration,” referring to the work done between the city, county, sports authority and Boyd Sports to the bring the ballpark to life.
Kincannon’s speech is often also the presentation of the budget for the coming fiscal year.
Mayor Kincannon is proposing a $477.3 million net budget she said prioritizes city services and public safety, while investing in strategic capital projects.
City officials said this budget is balanced, and the city’s property tax rate remains unchanged at $2.1556 per $100 of assessed value.
Another highlight: nearly 21.2% of the budget addresses spending for Knoxville police and fire, a total of $101.2 million.
Firefighters and police will see 4.2% step raises along with a cost of living increase for general government employees. Included is nearly $225,000 in salary increases for firefighters to bring them up to market level, the city said.
The budget also sets out to invest $8.2 million in affordable housing, aiming to send $4.2 million to Transforming Western, $2.5 million to the Affordable Rental Development Fund and $1.5 million to support permanent supporting housing projects.
The budget will also invest $350,000 to be matched by Knox County to increase beds in shelters across the city during cold weather.
The mayor’s office also said Kincannon is committed to building a clean and sustainable future and that her budget supports that mission.
$2.5 million for repairs to city buildings’ roofs and heating and ventilation systems, the city said, will pay for its self over time in energy savings.
The city will also invest $500,000 to fund community charging stations.
The largest piece of funding, outside investments in police and fire, is a $25 million lump sum payment on debt for the convention center.
City officials said this would decrease annual debt payments from $9.8 million a year to $5.7 million, saving $30.2 million, resulting in the city paying off the Knoxville Convention Center two years ahead of schedule.
The mayor’s proposed budget will be read for the first time by City Council on April 29 with a second reading on May 27.
Phillip Fulmer Golf Classic (5/2)
Friday, May 2nd
700 Turnberry Cir, Lenoir City, TN 37772
The Phillip Fulmer Golf Classic has been transforming young lives for more than 26 years! The event traces its roots back to July 1, 1979, when the first D.D. Lewis Celebrity Golf Tournament was held at Whittle Springs Golf Course. D.D. Lewis, a Club alumnus, played football at Fulton High School, went on to Mississippi State, and then to the Dallas Cowboys. Thanks to the dedication of its founders—Tournament Director Emmett P. “Buck” Vaughn Jr., Mr. James S. Bush, Mr. Larry Cox, and Mr. Buddy Burchell—the tournament has flourished. In 2000, it became the Phillip Fulmer Golf Classic, and since then, it has raised over $1 million for Boys & Girls Clubs of the Tennessee Valley.
For more information regarding the Phillip Fulmer Golf Classic, please call Maria at (865) 232-1113 or email Maria.
2025 Fulmer Auction – April 28th at 9am – May 2nd at 6pm EST
We have exciting items from Vol Network, Tailgate Tennessee, Lexus of Knoxville/Lexus Champions for Charity, Dollywood/Splash Country Package, and Flatrock Motorclub.
A Multi-County Police Chase Ends on Hardin Valley Road with One Person Arrested
A multi-county chase ends in Hardin Valley and a man is arrested for stealing a car, hitting three Knox County Sheriff’s Office Patrol Cars and various other offenses.
Deputies arrested Joshua Mayes yesterday following the chase. On Tuesday, Mayes burglarized two cars before stealing a red mustang parked in a driveway. KCSO spotted the car in West Knox County the next day and Mayes fled at high speed, driving recklessly.
Deputies found Mayes spray painting the mustang behind a business on Emory Road with agencies from Knox, Anderson and Loudon counties involved in the chase which resulted in Mayes hitting the KCSO patrol cruisers. No one was injured during the pursuit which ended when deputies deployed spike strips and Mayes was arrested on Hardin Valley Road.
Mayes previously had multiple warrants from the Tennessee Highway Patrol and the Blount County Sheriff’s Office. He now faces additional charges.
TBI investigating an Inmate Death in Claiborne County Where the Search for an Escaped Inmate Continues
Investigators with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation are looking into the death of an inmate at the Claiborne County Jail.
TBI says that the District Attorney General requested an investigation into the circumstances leading to the death of 48-year-old Jeremy Eastridge.
He was unresponsive in his cell yesterday (Thursday) and taken by ambulance to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Officials say Eastridge’s body has been sent for an autopsy and the investigation remains active and ongoing.
The death investigation comes as the deputies continue to search for an escaped Claiborne County inmate Larry Poore, who has been missing for more than a week after escaping on a work detail.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park Begins Multi-Year Rehabilitation of Iconic Bullhead Trail to Mount LeConte
GATLINBURG, TN (WOKI) —The National Park Service (NPS), in partnership with Friends of the Smokies, is beginning a multi-year rehabilitation of the iconic Bullhead Trail in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Beginning May 5, the park will close Bullhead Trail from Monday through Thursday each week, excluding federal holidays, through November 6, 2025.
The Bullhead Trail is one of several routes that lead to Mount LeConte, offering a challenging 13.6-mile roundtrip hike to the summit. Through this rehabilitation, the park will enhance overall trail safety by repairing tread surfaces, improving drainage, constructing trail structures such as staircases, turnpikes, and retaining walls, and removing tripping hazards like exposed rocks and roots. These efforts will also help protect the park’s natural resources.
Hikers are welcome to hike Bullhead Trail Friday through Sunday. The park plans to reopen the trail fully on November 6 and resume the rehabilitation in May 2026.
Following the completion of the Ramsey Cascades Trail rehabilitation in 2024, the park and Friends of the Smokies are beginning this rehabilitation of Bullhead Trail as the next project in the Trails Forever program. This program funds a permanent, highly skilled trail crew dedicated to the rehabilitation of high-use trails throughout the park. To date, Friends has contributed more than $4 million to rehabilitation projects, including those on Abrams Falls, Trillium Gap, Rainbow Falls, Alum Cave, Chimney Tops, Forney Ridge and Ramsey Cascades trails.
James Pearce Jr. Selected In First Round of 2025 NFL Draft
GREEN BAY, Wis. – Two-time first-team All-SEC edge rusher James Pearce Jr. became the latest Tennessee Vol to add his name to the program’s legacy of first round draft choices.
Pearce Jr. was selected with the No. 26 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft by the Atlanta Falcons, who traded up to take him Thursday night. With the draft taking place in Green Bay, Pearce Jr. held a family draft party in his hometown of Charlotte, North Carolina.
Pearce is Tennessee’s 48th all-time first round pick and the second in three years under head coach Josh Heupel. Offensive tackle Darnell Wright was taken No. 10 overall by Chicago in 2023.
Pearce is the first Tennessee player to be selected by Atlanta since defensive end Demetrin Veal went in the seventh round in 2003.
Pearce’s path to Tennessee began as a five-star recruit out of Chambers High School in Charlotte. In his three seasons on Rocky Top, he was a key part of the program’s resurgence and defensive prowess as the Vols won 29 games and ranked in the top 10 in the nation in tackles for loss his last two years.
Pearce generated 113 quarterback pressures in his three seasons and finished tied for 10th in UT all-time career sacks with 19.5, representing the most by a Vol since first rounder Derek Barnett had a school record 33 from 2014-16.
Pearce became the first UT defensive lineman to earn back-to-back first-team All-SEC honors since College Football Hall of Famer John Henderson from 2000-01. Pearce finished his junior season with 55 total pressures, 38 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks and 10 QB hurries. He also showed up in a significant way in big games, logging tackles for loss against Alabama, Oklahoma, Georgia and Ohio State.
It’s the third time in four years that Tennessee has produced at least one defensive lineman selected in the first five rounds under the tutelage of Rodney Garner and Levorn Harvin.
Additional Vols now wait to hear their names called the next two days. Rounds two and three are Friday beginning at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN and NFL Network. Rounds four through seven get underway at noon Saturday.
Omarr Norman-Lott Chosen In Second Round of 2025 NFL Draft
GREEN BAY, Wis. – Another member of Tennessee’s stellar defensive line is off the board in the 2025 NFL Draft as Omarr Norman-Lott was selected with the No. 63 overall pick in the second round by the AFC champion Kansas City Chiefs Friday night.
Tennessee was one of five programs nationally in this draft with multiple defensive linemen chosen through the first two rounds, joining Georgia, Michigan, Ohio State and Texas A&M.
Norman-Lott totaled 44 tackles, 10 tackles for loss and 9.5 sacks in his two years on Rocky Top after transferring from Arizona State. According to Pro Football Focus, he owned an 18.9 percent pass rush win rate last fall, which ranked first nationally among defensive tackles. He finished the 2024 season with four tackles for loss and four sacks.
Norman-Lott is the third Tennessee defensive lineman selected through the first three rounds in the last three drafts, joining James Pearce Jr. (2025 first round Thursday night) and Byron Young (2023 third round). He heads to a Kansas City organization where he will line up next to All-Pro Chris Jones and unite with VFL Trey Smith.
“I am just so happy to be a Chief,” Norman-Lott said. “I am coming in with an open mind, ready to learn and get my playbook down and ready to go get a ring. I am ready to just get after it, go hunt some quarterbacks down and make some plays in the backfield.”
A total of 15 players in the Josh Heupel era have now been drafted (since 2022 NFL Draft). With the two total draft selections, Tennessee has produced 389 all-time draft picks, which dates back to 1936. That mark includes the AFL Draft, which merged in 1967.
Round four of the draft gets underway at noon ET Saturday on ABC, ESPN and NFL Network. Multiple Vols are still on the board, including 2024 SEC Player of the Year Dylan Sampson and wide receivers Dont’e Thornton Jr. and Bru McCoy.
#4/6 Vols Lose Late Lead in Series-Opening Loss at #3/7 LSU
BATON ROUGE, La. – No. 4/6 Tennessee was unable to hang on to a ninth inning lead in Friday’s series opener at No. 3/7 LSU, falling 6-3 at Alex Box Stadium.
It was a nightmare of a ninth inning for the Volunteers (34-8, 12-7 SEC), who committed two errors before surrendering a walk and three hits, including a walk-off three-run homer by Jared Jones. UT entered the inning leading 3-0 and had allowed just three hits up until that point.
Despite the miscues, Tennessee was still a strike away from escaping with the win before LSU leadoff hitter Derek Curiel drove a 1-2 pitch through the right side of the infield for an RBI single to tie the game at three and set the stage for Jones’ walk-off homer one batter later.
Andrew Fischer, Hunter Ensley and Gavin Kilen all had RBI hits for the Big Orange to account for the team’s three runs while Reese Chapman also had a productive night at the plate with a pair of singles. The Vols outhit the Tigers 9-6 on the night but also left 10 runners on base.
Doyle Does His Part
It was another dominant outing on the mound from junior lefthander Liam Doyle, who outdueled LSU ace Kade Anderson in a matchup of two of the SEC’s best pitchers before exiting the game with two outs in the seventh inning.
Doyle allowed just one hit and had six strikeouts over 6.2 scoreless innings despite having to deal with a lengthy weather delay that postponed the start of the game more than three hours.
Up Next
Tennessee will look to wipe the slate clean and rebound to even the series on Saturday night when the Vols and Tigers square off at 8 p.m. ET on ESPNU.
Rally Falls Short as No. 1/4 Lady Vols Drop 3-2 Decision to No. 16 Ole Miss
OXFORD, Miss. – A late rally came up just short for No. 1/4 Tennessee on Friday night, as the Lady Vols fell 3-2 to No. 16 Ole Miss at the Ole Miss Softball Complex.
The Rebels (34-12, 10-9 SEC) capitalized early with a three-run second inning. After a hit-by-pitch and a walk put two runners aboard, an infield single down the third-base line brought home the game’s first run. Ole Miss executed a squeeze bunt to plate its second, followed by an RBI groundout to cap the inning.
Tennessee (37-11, 12-7 SEC) responded in the sixth. Freshman Saviya Morgan sparked the offense with a bunt single, and Kinsey Fiedler followed with a triple to right-center to drive her in. Taylor Pannell cut the deficit to one with a sacrifice fly to score Fiedler.
The Lady Vols threatened again with back-to-back two-out walks in the sixth but couldn’t cash in. In the seventh, UT put two runners on but was unable to push across the tying run.
IN THE CIRCLE
Karlyn Pickens started for Tennessee, allowing three runs on one hit in two innings. The junior walked one and struck out three as she took the loss, moving to 18-6 on the season.
Freshman Erin Nuwer was strong in relief, tossing four shutout innings while allowing just one hit. She struck out five and walked two.
CHECK THE STATS
Fiedler’s triple was her eighth of the season, tying her with Lady Vol legend and recent Tennessee Athletics Hall of Fame inductee Lindsay Schutzler for the program’s single-season record.
Pannell extended her reached-base streak to 19 games with a single in the first inning. She is now one game shy of matching her career-best streak of 20, set earlier this season.
DUE UP
Tennessee and Ole Miss return to the diamond on Saturday for Game 2 of the series. First pitch is set for 3 p.m. ET and will be available for streaming on SEC Network+.
CDC Adds Tennessee to List of States with Measles Cases
Nashville, TN (WOKI) Tennessee has been added to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) growing list of states with measles cases.
According to the CDC, Tennessee is one of 30 states that have measles cases with six confirmed outbreaks since March.
Tennessee Department of Health officials reported the first measles case on March 21 in Rutherford County. So far in April, five more cases have been reported in Middle Tennessee.
As of April 24, 2025, nearly 900 measles cases have been confirmed in the following states:
- Alaska
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maryland
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Missouri
- Montana
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York City
- New York State
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
Texas has the highest amount with 646 cases of measles so far. New Mexico has the second highest number of cases, with 65.
Knoxville Mayor Delivers State of the City Address
(Story courtesy of WVLT News)
Knoxville, TN (WOKI) Knoxville Mayor Indya Kincannon delivered at Covenant Health Park Friday her State of the City address.
Kincannon chose Covenant Health Park as the backdrop of her speech said it “exemplifies her faith in the enduring strength of collaboration,” referring to the work done between the city, county, sports authority and Boyd Sports to the bring the ballpark to life.
Kincannon’s speech is often also the presentation of the budget for the coming fiscal year.
Mayor Kincannon is proposing a $477.3 million net budget she said prioritizes city services and public safety, while investing in strategic capital projects.
City officials said this budget is balanced, and the city’s property tax rate remains unchanged at $2.1556 per $100 of assessed value.
Another highlight: nearly 21.2% of the budget addresses spending for Knoxville police and fire, a total of $101.2 million.
Firefighters and police will see 4.2% step raises along with a cost of living increase for general government employees. Included is nearly $225,000 in salary increases for firefighters to bring them up to market level, the city said.
The budget also sets out to invest $8.2 million in affordable housing, aiming to send $4.2 million to Transforming Western, $2.5 million to the Affordable Rental Development Fund and $1.5 million to support permanent supporting housing projects.
The budget will also invest $350,000 to be matched by Knox County to increase beds in shelters across the city during cold weather.
The mayor’s office also said Kincannon is committed to building a clean and sustainable future and that her budget supports that mission.
$2.5 million for repairs to city buildings’ roofs and heating and ventilation systems, the city said, will pay for its self over time in energy savings.
The city will also invest $500,000 to fund community charging stations.
The largest piece of funding, outside investments in police and fire, is a $25 million lump sum payment on debt for the convention center.
City officials said this would decrease annual debt payments from $9.8 million a year to $5.7 million, saving $30.2 million, resulting in the city paying off the Knoxville Convention Center two years ahead of schedule.
The mayor’s proposed budget will be read for the first time by City Council on April 29 with a second reading on May 27.
Phillip Fulmer Golf Classic (5/2)
Friday, May 2nd
700 Turnberry Cir, Lenoir City, TN 37772
The Phillip Fulmer Golf Classic has been transforming young lives for more than 26 years! The event traces its roots back to July 1, 1979, when the first D.D. Lewis Celebrity Golf Tournament was held at Whittle Springs Golf Course. D.D. Lewis, a Club alumnus, played football at Fulton High School, went on to Mississippi State, and then to the Dallas Cowboys. Thanks to the dedication of its founders—Tournament Director Emmett P. “Buck” Vaughn Jr., Mr. James S. Bush, Mr. Larry Cox, and Mr. Buddy Burchell—the tournament has flourished. In 2000, it became the Phillip Fulmer Golf Classic, and since then, it has raised over $1 million for Boys & Girls Clubs of the Tennessee Valley.
For more information regarding the Phillip Fulmer Golf Classic, please call Maria at (865) 232-1113 or email Maria.
2025 Fulmer Auction – April 28th at 9am – May 2nd at 6pm EST
We have exciting items from Vol Network, Tailgate Tennessee, Lexus of Knoxville/Lexus Champions for Charity, Dollywood/Splash Country Package, and Flatrock Motorclub.
A Multi-County Police Chase Ends on Hardin Valley Road with One Person Arrested
A multi-county chase ends in Hardin Valley and a man is arrested for stealing a car, hitting three Knox County Sheriff’s Office Patrol Cars and various other offenses.
Deputies arrested Joshua Mayes yesterday following the chase. On Tuesday, Mayes burglarized two cars before stealing a red mustang parked in a driveway. KCSO spotted the car in West Knox County the next day and Mayes fled at high speed, driving recklessly.
Deputies found Mayes spray painting the mustang behind a business on Emory Road with agencies from Knox, Anderson and Loudon counties involved in the chase which resulted in Mayes hitting the KCSO patrol cruisers. No one was injured during the pursuit which ended when deputies deployed spike strips and Mayes was arrested on Hardin Valley Road.
Mayes previously had multiple warrants from the Tennessee Highway Patrol and the Blount County Sheriff’s Office. He now faces additional charges.
TBI investigating an Inmate Death in Claiborne County Where the Search for an Escaped Inmate Continues
Investigators with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation are looking into the death of an inmate at the Claiborne County Jail.
TBI says that the District Attorney General requested an investigation into the circumstances leading to the death of 48-year-old Jeremy Eastridge.
He was unresponsive in his cell yesterday (Thursday) and taken by ambulance to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Officials say Eastridge’s body has been sent for an autopsy and the investigation remains active and ongoing.
The death investigation comes as the deputies continue to search for an escaped Claiborne County inmate Larry Poore, who has been missing for more than a week after escaping on a work detail.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park Begins Multi-Year Rehabilitation of Iconic Bullhead Trail to Mount LeConte
GATLINBURG, TN (WOKI) —The National Park Service (NPS), in partnership with Friends of the Smokies, is beginning a multi-year rehabilitation of the iconic Bullhead Trail in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Beginning May 5, the park will close Bullhead Trail from Monday through Thursday each week, excluding federal holidays, through November 6, 2025.
The Bullhead Trail is one of several routes that lead to Mount LeConte, offering a challenging 13.6-mile roundtrip hike to the summit. Through this rehabilitation, the park will enhance overall trail safety by repairing tread surfaces, improving drainage, constructing trail structures such as staircases, turnpikes, and retaining walls, and removing tripping hazards like exposed rocks and roots. These efforts will also help protect the park’s natural resources.
Hikers are welcome to hike Bullhead Trail Friday through Sunday. The park plans to reopen the trail fully on November 6 and resume the rehabilitation in May 2026.
Following the completion of the Ramsey Cascades Trail rehabilitation in 2024, the park and Friends of the Smokies are beginning this rehabilitation of Bullhead Trail as the next project in the Trails Forever program. This program funds a permanent, highly skilled trail crew dedicated to the rehabilitation of high-use trails throughout the park. To date, Friends has contributed more than $4 million to rehabilitation projects, including those on Abrams Falls, Trillium Gap, Rainbow Falls, Alum Cave, Chimney Tops, Forney Ridge and Ramsey Cascades trails.
James Pearce Jr. Selected In First Round of 2025 NFL Draft
GREEN BAY, Wis. – Two-time first-team All-SEC edge rusher James Pearce Jr. became the latest Tennessee Vol to add his name to the program’s legacy of first round draft choices.
Pearce Jr. was selected with the No. 26 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft by the Atlanta Falcons, who traded up to take him Thursday night. With the draft taking place in Green Bay, Pearce Jr. held a family draft party in his hometown of Charlotte, North Carolina.
Pearce is Tennessee’s 48th all-time first round pick and the second in three years under head coach Josh Heupel. Offensive tackle Darnell Wright was taken No. 10 overall by Chicago in 2023.
Pearce is the first Tennessee player to be selected by Atlanta since defensive end Demetrin Veal went in the seventh round in 2003.
Pearce’s path to Tennessee began as a five-star recruit out of Chambers High School in Charlotte. In his three seasons on Rocky Top, he was a key part of the program’s resurgence and defensive prowess as the Vols won 29 games and ranked in the top 10 in the nation in tackles for loss his last two years.
Pearce generated 113 quarterback pressures in his three seasons and finished tied for 10th in UT all-time career sacks with 19.5, representing the most by a Vol since first rounder Derek Barnett had a school record 33 from 2014-16.
Pearce became the first UT defensive lineman to earn back-to-back first-team All-SEC honors since College Football Hall of Famer John Henderson from 2000-01. Pearce finished his junior season with 55 total pressures, 38 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks and 10 QB hurries. He also showed up in a significant way in big games, logging tackles for loss against Alabama, Oklahoma, Georgia and Ohio State.
It’s the third time in four years that Tennessee has produced at least one defensive lineman selected in the first five rounds under the tutelage of Rodney Garner and Levorn Harvin.
Additional Vols now wait to hear their names called the next two days. Rounds two and three are Friday beginning at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN and NFL Network. Rounds four through seven get underway at noon Saturday.
Omarr Norman-Lott Chosen In Second Round of 2025 NFL Draft
GREEN BAY, Wis. – Another member of Tennessee’s stellar defensive line is off the board in the 2025 NFL Draft as Omarr Norman-Lott was selected with the No. 63 overall pick in the second round by the AFC champion Kansas City Chiefs Friday night.
Tennessee was one of five programs nationally in this draft with multiple defensive linemen chosen through the first two rounds, joining Georgia, Michigan, Ohio State and Texas A&M.
Norman-Lott totaled 44 tackles, 10 tackles for loss and 9.5 sacks in his two years on Rocky Top after transferring from Arizona State. According to Pro Football Focus, he owned an 18.9 percent pass rush win rate last fall, which ranked first nationally among defensive tackles. He finished the 2024 season with four tackles for loss and four sacks.
Norman-Lott is the third Tennessee defensive lineman selected through the first three rounds in the last three drafts, joining James Pearce Jr. (2025 first round Thursday night) and Byron Young (2023 third round). He heads to a Kansas City organization where he will line up next to All-Pro Chris Jones and unite with VFL Trey Smith.
“I am just so happy to be a Chief,” Norman-Lott said. “I am coming in with an open mind, ready to learn and get my playbook down and ready to go get a ring. I am ready to just get after it, go hunt some quarterbacks down and make some plays in the backfield.”
A total of 15 players in the Josh Heupel era have now been drafted (since 2022 NFL Draft). With the two total draft selections, Tennessee has produced 389 all-time draft picks, which dates back to 1936. That mark includes the AFL Draft, which merged in 1967.
Round four of the draft gets underway at noon ET Saturday on ABC, ESPN and NFL Network. Multiple Vols are still on the board, including 2024 SEC Player of the Year Dylan Sampson and wide receivers Dont’e Thornton Jr. and Bru McCoy.
#4/6 Vols Lose Late Lead in Series-Opening Loss at #3/7 LSU
BATON ROUGE, La. – No. 4/6 Tennessee was unable to hang on to a ninth inning lead in Friday’s series opener at No. 3/7 LSU, falling 6-3 at Alex Box Stadium.
It was a nightmare of a ninth inning for the Volunteers (34-8, 12-7 SEC), who committed two errors before surrendering a walk and three hits, including a walk-off three-run homer by Jared Jones. UT entered the inning leading 3-0 and had allowed just three hits up until that point.
Despite the miscues, Tennessee was still a strike away from escaping with the win before LSU leadoff hitter Derek Curiel drove a 1-2 pitch through the right side of the infield for an RBI single to tie the game at three and set the stage for Jones’ walk-off homer one batter later.
Andrew Fischer, Hunter Ensley and Gavin Kilen all had RBI hits for the Big Orange to account for the team’s three runs while Reese Chapman also had a productive night at the plate with a pair of singles. The Vols outhit the Tigers 9-6 on the night but also left 10 runners on base.
Doyle Does His Part
It was another dominant outing on the mound from junior lefthander Liam Doyle, who outdueled LSU ace Kade Anderson in a matchup of two of the SEC’s best pitchers before exiting the game with two outs in the seventh inning.
Doyle allowed just one hit and had six strikeouts over 6.2 scoreless innings despite having to deal with a lengthy weather delay that postponed the start of the game more than three hours.
Up Next
Tennessee will look to wipe the slate clean and rebound to even the series on Saturday night when the Vols and Tigers square off at 8 p.m. ET on ESPNU.
Rally Falls Short as No. 1/4 Lady Vols Drop 3-2 Decision to No. 16 Ole Miss
OXFORD, Miss. – A late rally came up just short for No. 1/4 Tennessee on Friday night, as the Lady Vols fell 3-2 to No. 16 Ole Miss at the Ole Miss Softball Complex.
The Rebels (34-12, 10-9 SEC) capitalized early with a three-run second inning. After a hit-by-pitch and a walk put two runners aboard, an infield single down the third-base line brought home the game’s first run. Ole Miss executed a squeeze bunt to plate its second, followed by an RBI groundout to cap the inning.
Tennessee (37-11, 12-7 SEC) responded in the sixth. Freshman Saviya Morgan sparked the offense with a bunt single, and Kinsey Fiedler followed with a triple to right-center to drive her in. Taylor Pannell cut the deficit to one with a sacrifice fly to score Fiedler.
The Lady Vols threatened again with back-to-back two-out walks in the sixth but couldn’t cash in. In the seventh, UT put two runners on but was unable to push across the tying run.
IN THE CIRCLE
Karlyn Pickens started for Tennessee, allowing three runs on one hit in two innings. The junior walked one and struck out three as she took the loss, moving to 18-6 on the season.
Freshman Erin Nuwer was strong in relief, tossing four shutout innings while allowing just one hit. She struck out five and walked two.
CHECK THE STATS
Fiedler’s triple was her eighth of the season, tying her with Lady Vol legend and recent Tennessee Athletics Hall of Fame inductee Lindsay Schutzler for the program’s single-season record.
Pannell extended her reached-base streak to 19 games with a single in the first inning. She is now one game shy of matching her career-best streak of 20, set earlier this season.
DUE UP
Tennessee and Ole Miss return to the diamond on Saturday for Game 2 of the series. First pitch is set for 3 p.m. ET and will be available for streaming on SEC Network+.
CDC Adds Tennessee to List of States with Measles Cases
Nashville, TN (WOKI) Tennessee has been added to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) growing list of states with measles cases.
According to the CDC, Tennessee is one of 30 states that have measles cases with six confirmed outbreaks since March.
Tennessee Department of Health officials reported the first measles case on March 21 in Rutherford County. So far in April, five more cases have been reported in Middle Tennessee.
As of April 24, 2025, nearly 900 measles cases have been confirmed in the following states:
- Alaska
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maryland
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Missouri
- Montana
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York City
- New York State
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
Texas has the highest amount with 646 cases of measles so far. New Mexico has the second highest number of cases, with 65.
Knoxville Mayor Delivers State of the City Address
(Story courtesy of WVLT News)
Knoxville, TN (WOKI) Knoxville Mayor Indya Kincannon delivered at Covenant Health Park Friday her State of the City address.
Kincannon chose Covenant Health Park as the backdrop of her speech said it “exemplifies her faith in the enduring strength of collaboration,” referring to the work done between the city, county, sports authority and Boyd Sports to the bring the ballpark to life.
Kincannon’s speech is often also the presentation of the budget for the coming fiscal year.
Mayor Kincannon is proposing a $477.3 million net budget she said prioritizes city services and public safety, while investing in strategic capital projects.
City officials said this budget is balanced, and the city’s property tax rate remains unchanged at $2.1556 per $100 of assessed value.
Another highlight: nearly 21.2% of the budget addresses spending for Knoxville police and fire, a total of $101.2 million.
Firefighters and police will see 4.2% step raises along with a cost of living increase for general government employees. Included is nearly $225,000 in salary increases for firefighters to bring them up to market level, the city said.
The budget also sets out to invest $8.2 million in affordable housing, aiming to send $4.2 million to Transforming Western, $2.5 million to the Affordable Rental Development Fund and $1.5 million to support permanent supporting housing projects.
The budget will also invest $350,000 to be matched by Knox County to increase beds in shelters across the city during cold weather.
The mayor’s office also said Kincannon is committed to building a clean and sustainable future and that her budget supports that mission.
$2.5 million for repairs to city buildings’ roofs and heating and ventilation systems, the city said, will pay for its self over time in energy savings.
The city will also invest $500,000 to fund community charging stations.
The largest piece of funding, outside investments in police and fire, is a $25 million lump sum payment on debt for the convention center.
City officials said this would decrease annual debt payments from $9.8 million a year to $5.7 million, saving $30.2 million, resulting in the city paying off the Knoxville Convention Center two years ahead of schedule.
The mayor’s proposed budget will be read for the first time by City Council on April 29 with a second reading on May 27.
Phillip Fulmer Golf Classic (5/2)
Friday, May 2nd
700 Turnberry Cir, Lenoir City, TN 37772
The Phillip Fulmer Golf Classic has been transforming young lives for more than 26 years! The event traces its roots back to July 1, 1979, when the first D.D. Lewis Celebrity Golf Tournament was held at Whittle Springs Golf Course. D.D. Lewis, a Club alumnus, played football at Fulton High School, went on to Mississippi State, and then to the Dallas Cowboys. Thanks to the dedication of its founders—Tournament Director Emmett P. “Buck” Vaughn Jr., Mr. James S. Bush, Mr. Larry Cox, and Mr. Buddy Burchell—the tournament has flourished. In 2000, it became the Phillip Fulmer Golf Classic, and since then, it has raised over $1 million for Boys & Girls Clubs of the Tennessee Valley.
For more information regarding the Phillip Fulmer Golf Classic, please call Maria at (865) 232-1113 or email Maria.
2025 Fulmer Auction – April 28th at 9am – May 2nd at 6pm EST
We have exciting items from Vol Network, Tailgate Tennessee, Lexus of Knoxville/Lexus Champions for Charity, Dollywood/Splash Country Package, and Flatrock Motorclub.
A Multi-County Police Chase Ends on Hardin Valley Road with One Person Arrested
A multi-county chase ends in Hardin Valley and a man is arrested for stealing a car, hitting three Knox County Sheriff’s Office Patrol Cars and various other offenses.
Deputies arrested Joshua Mayes yesterday following the chase. On Tuesday, Mayes burglarized two cars before stealing a red mustang parked in a driveway. KCSO spotted the car in West Knox County the next day and Mayes fled at high speed, driving recklessly.
Deputies found Mayes spray painting the mustang behind a business on Emory Road with agencies from Knox, Anderson and Loudon counties involved in the chase which resulted in Mayes hitting the KCSO patrol cruisers. No one was injured during the pursuit which ended when deputies deployed spike strips and Mayes was arrested on Hardin Valley Road.
Mayes previously had multiple warrants from the Tennessee Highway Patrol and the Blount County Sheriff’s Office. He now faces additional charges.
TBI investigating an Inmate Death in Claiborne County Where the Search for an Escaped Inmate Continues
Investigators with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation are looking into the death of an inmate at the Claiborne County Jail.
TBI says that the District Attorney General requested an investigation into the circumstances leading to the death of 48-year-old Jeremy Eastridge.
He was unresponsive in his cell yesterday (Thursday) and taken by ambulance to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Officials say Eastridge’s body has been sent for an autopsy and the investigation remains active and ongoing.
The death investigation comes as the deputies continue to search for an escaped Claiborne County inmate Larry Poore, who has been missing for more than a week after escaping on a work detail.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park Begins Multi-Year Rehabilitation of Iconic Bullhead Trail to Mount LeConte
GATLINBURG, TN (WOKI) —The National Park Service (NPS), in partnership with Friends of the Smokies, is beginning a multi-year rehabilitation of the iconic Bullhead Trail in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Beginning May 5, the park will close Bullhead Trail from Monday through Thursday each week, excluding federal holidays, through November 6, 2025.
The Bullhead Trail is one of several routes that lead to Mount LeConte, offering a challenging 13.6-mile roundtrip hike to the summit. Through this rehabilitation, the park will enhance overall trail safety by repairing tread surfaces, improving drainage, constructing trail structures such as staircases, turnpikes, and retaining walls, and removing tripping hazards like exposed rocks and roots. These efforts will also help protect the park’s natural resources.
Hikers are welcome to hike Bullhead Trail Friday through Sunday. The park plans to reopen the trail fully on November 6 and resume the rehabilitation in May 2026.
Following the completion of the Ramsey Cascades Trail rehabilitation in 2024, the park and Friends of the Smokies are beginning this rehabilitation of Bullhead Trail as the next project in the Trails Forever program. This program funds a permanent, highly skilled trail crew dedicated to the rehabilitation of high-use trails throughout the park. To date, Friends has contributed more than $4 million to rehabilitation projects, including those on Abrams Falls, Trillium Gap, Rainbow Falls, Alum Cave, Chimney Tops, Forney Ridge and Ramsey Cascades trails.
James Pearce Jr. Selected In First Round of 2025 NFL Draft
GREEN BAY, Wis. – Two-time first-team All-SEC edge rusher James Pearce Jr. became the latest Tennessee Vol to add his name to the program’s legacy of first round draft choices.
Pearce Jr. was selected with the No. 26 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft by the Atlanta Falcons, who traded up to take him Thursday night. With the draft taking place in Green Bay, Pearce Jr. held a family draft party in his hometown of Charlotte, North Carolina.
Pearce is Tennessee’s 48th all-time first round pick and the second in three years under head coach Josh Heupel. Offensive tackle Darnell Wright was taken No. 10 overall by Chicago in 2023.
Pearce is the first Tennessee player to be selected by Atlanta since defensive end Demetrin Veal went in the seventh round in 2003.
Pearce’s path to Tennessee began as a five-star recruit out of Chambers High School in Charlotte. In his three seasons on Rocky Top, he was a key part of the program’s resurgence and defensive prowess as the Vols won 29 games and ranked in the top 10 in the nation in tackles for loss his last two years.
Pearce generated 113 quarterback pressures in his three seasons and finished tied for 10th in UT all-time career sacks with 19.5, representing the most by a Vol since first rounder Derek Barnett had a school record 33 from 2014-16.
Pearce became the first UT defensive lineman to earn back-to-back first-team All-SEC honors since College Football Hall of Famer John Henderson from 2000-01. Pearce finished his junior season with 55 total pressures, 38 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks and 10 QB hurries. He also showed up in a significant way in big games, logging tackles for loss against Alabama, Oklahoma, Georgia and Ohio State.
It’s the third time in four years that Tennessee has produced at least one defensive lineman selected in the first five rounds under the tutelage of Rodney Garner and Levorn Harvin.
Additional Vols now wait to hear their names called the next two days. Rounds two and three are Friday beginning at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN and NFL Network. Rounds four through seven get underway at noon Saturday.
