Tennessee Vols morning report: Jonathan Kongbo to CFL
The Canadian Football League’s Winnipeg Blue Bombers drafting Tennessee Vols edge rusher Jonathan Kongbo leads our Volunteers news for Friday, May 3, 2019.
Happy Friday! The Tennessee Vols begin the first weekend of May with a ton of news happening. That includes even more follow-ups related to pro football for former players, but it also involves a good bit of postseason action.
Our morning update on Rocky Top leads with another former Tennessee football player finally joining the professional ranks. However, it’s not where you would expect. We also have some unexpected news about an annual upcoming event related to the program.
On top of those things, we have previews in baseball and softball, recognition in men’s tennis and men’s tennis postseason play to cover. So there’s plenty of news to get to. Let’s start with the former football player.
Jonathan Kongbo drafted by Winnipeg of CFL – BlueBombers.com
Former Tennessee Vols edge rusher Jonathan Kongbo was drafted fifth overall by the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the Canadian Football League Thursday. After suffering a season-ending injury in 2018, Kongbo was not picked up by any NFL team. A Surrey, British Columbia native, he heads back to Canada now to play football.
"Kongbo (6-5, 255, Tennessee, March 19, 1996 in Surrey, BC) played 30 games, starting 17, over three seasons with the Volunteers as a linebacker and defensive lineman. He totalled 51 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, two interceptions (including a 50-yarder returned for a touchdown), and two knockdowns. He won the 2018 John Stucky award as Tennessee’s best performer in the weight room.NEWS"
Summer of Smokey to replace Big Orange Caravan – Wes Rucker, GoVols247
A longtime tradition when it comes to Tennessee Vols athletics is being replaced this summer. Instead of the usual stops across the southeast featuring the athletic director and the major coaches, Smokey and the UT spirit squads will make visits to nearly every county in the state.
"Tennessee’s release stated that nominations for specific dates in specific areas of the state could be submitted with the hashtag #SummerOfSmokey on Twitter. Big Orange Caravan dates tend to be popular with fans, and Tennessee’s release suggested this year’s substitution for the caravan won’t be a permanent thing, and that a retooled caravan would return in the future."
Tennessee baseball to host Missouri – Clare Raley, News-Press Now
The No. 23 ranked Tennessee Vols baseball team will look to rebound this weekend after being swept on the road by the Arkansas Razorbacks last weekend. They will be playing host to the No. 24 ranked Missouri Tigers in a key SEC series that is intriguing for many reasons.
"For starters, the teams are similar in many ways. Both are known for their strong pitching, and have fared similarly in SEC play. Tennessee is 31-14 (9-12 SEC), while Missouri stands at 31-15-1 (10-10-1 SEC)."
Tennessee softball to host Texas A&M – WVLT
The No. 9 ranked Tennessee Lady Vols softball team will close out the regular season with a three-game home stand against the Texas A&M Aggies. At 37-12 and 12-9 in the SEC, Tennessee will be looking to rebound from a series loss to the No. 17/18 Ole Miss Rebels on the road last weekend.
"If the Vols are successful this weekend handling the Lady Aggies, they would qualify to host a regional in Knoxville. Top 4 teams in the SEC qualify to host a regional at home. First pitch against Texas A&M is 6:00 P.M. on the SEC Network."
Men’s tennis produces two doubles All-Americans – NCAA.com
Tennessee Vols men’s tennis seniors Timo Stodder and Preston Touliatos have been named Doubles All-Americans. They earned a No. 6 seed in the NCAA Doubles Bracket.
"The singles and doubles competition will be conducted May 20-25 at the USTA National Campus in Orlando, Florida, after the conclusion of the team championship, which runs from May 16-19. The University of Central Florida and the Greater Orlando Sports Commission will serve as hosts."
Men’s tennis to begin NCAA Tournament – UTSports
Tennessee tennis will begin play at home during the first two rounds of the men’s tennis NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2013. They will face Radford at 2 p.m. Friday. The winner between those two schools will face the winner between the N.C. State Wolfpack and the MTSU Blue Raiders.
"Tennessee (20-7) closed the season with a run to the SEC Tournament final two weeks ago in Gainesville, Fla. During that run, the Vols defeated perennial powerhouse and rival Georgia in the quarterfinal, 4-0, for the program’s first shutout of the Bulldogs.UT then rallied from down, 3-1, to knock off Florida, 4-3, in the SEC Tournament semifinal. The loss was the Gators’ first in Gainesville since March 14, 2018 and the Vols’ first win at Florida since 2010."