Today on Rocky Top: More Vols up for an Awards

Sep 5, 2015; Nashville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers fans flies the United States flag and the Volunteer flag prior to the game against the Bowling Green Falcons at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 5, 2015; Nashville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers fans flies the United States flag and the Volunteer flag prior to the game against the Bowling Green Falcons at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports

More Tennessee football players up for awards and new ways to combat sexual assault headline the Volunteers news on Rocky Top for Thursday, July 7.


Happy almost-weekend to everybody. The Tennessee Vols continue to remain huge deals in the news, this time with stories eerily similar to the day before.

Vols fans have felt relief, disappointment, and excitement all at the same time with different stories happening this week.

And lots of that news is going to continue as we all desperately wait for football season to start.

But before that happens, Tennessee had to find new ways to deal with a serious issue. And that headlines our news stories for Thursday, July 7, 2016.

Tennessee restructuring plan to combat sexual assault – Wes Rucker of 247Sports

"UT had been sued by eight plaintiffs accusing the university of a “hostile sexual environment” toward women and mishandling of Title IX-mandated sexual assault investigations, particularly when male student-athletes were the accused. As part of the settlement, UT agreed to pay a total of $2.48 million to the plaintiffs, involve third-party evaluators to evaluate the university’s handling of sexual assault investigations and add at least six new positions to the university’s staff to bolster those efforts."

Vols TE Ethan Wolf named to John Mackey Award Preseason List – Grant Ramey of GoVols.com

"Since 2000, the award has given annually to college football’s top tight end. Wolf is the sixth different Tennessee player to be named to a watch list over two days.On Tuesday quarterback Joshua Dobbs and running back Jalen Hurd were named to the Maxwell Award preseason watch list. Defensive end Derek Barnett, linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin and cornerback Cam Sutton were also named to the Bednarik Award watch list."

Vols OL Coleman Thomas named to Rimington Trophy Watch List – Kenny Hawkins of WJHL

"Thomas, who has garnered 2016 Lindy’s Sports Preseason Second Team All-SEC honors, was previously named to the 2016 Spring Watch List for the Rimington Trophy in May.The 2016 Rimington Trophy Fall Watch List includes top centers in Division I football. After careful consideration during the offseason and spring practices, representatives from Division I football programs across the country submitted nominations to the Rimington Trophy Committee and the watch list was created. These athletes are projected to excel at the center position in the upcoming season."