Peyton Manning and Garrett Crochet lead our Tennessee Vols news for Thursday, June 11, 2020.
Wednesday was a big day for Tennessee Vols athletes. One was honored for his first appearance ever in a college game with Rocky Top, and one was a high draft pick into the pros, getting the chance to live out a dream.
Our morning update on Rocky Top has a focus on both of these guys. They both are college legends in their own right, although the first guy we cover is quite a bit more famous and has already become a pro legend. The second guy is hoping to become a pro legend.
In addition to those two athletes, we also have some news surrounding the SEC amidst the COVID-19 pandemic to bring you. So there are quite a few things to discuss this Thursday. Let’s start with the two standout stars.
Rose Bowl honors Peyton Manning – Inspire2022.org
The first game Peyton Manning ever played for the Tennessee Vols football team was in the 1994 season-opener. It was in the Rose Bowl at the UCLA Bruins. As part of the INSPIRE initiative to celebrate the 100-year anniversary of the stadium in 2022, there will now be a way to honor the UT legend.
"Made possible by a generous gift by Kevin G. Clifford to the Rose Bowl Legacy Foundation, a historical marker honoring Peyton Manning and his first-ever college football game is now located outside Tunnel 16, the same number he wore on his jersey while in Knoxville. The donation from Clifford, who is a long-time Rose Bowl Stadium seat holder and former Pasadena resident, also supports the core of Legacy’s mission, which is to preserve, protect and enhance the Rose Bowl Stadium as a National Historic Landmark."
Garrett Crochet taken in first round of MLB Draft – UTSports
Junior pitcher Garrett Crochet was the 11th overall pick by the Chicago White Sox Wednesday in the 2020 MLB Draft. Crochet became the 17th Tennessee Vols baseball player to ever be selected in the first round of the draft.
"Crochet is just the fifth UT pitcher to be selected in the first round (including compensatory picks and competitive balance rounds), joining James Atkins (2007), Luke Hochevar (2006), Wyatt Allen (2001) and R.A. Dickey (1996), and is the highest drafted Vol since Nick Senzel went No. 2 overall to the Cincinnati Reds in the 2016 draft. He is also the second-highest drafted pitcher in program history behind Hochevar, who went No. 1 overall in 2006."
SEC Media Days to be held virtually – SECSports
With the coronavirus pandemic still causing organizations to take precautions, the Southeastern Conference has taken another one. SEC Football Media Days for 2020 will be held virtually. Jeremy Pruitt and UT were set to be the last team to go on Wednesday of the event which was initially going to be held in Atlanta. Dates and times for the updated version haven’t yet been announced.
"The virtual event will feature Sankey’s annual “State of the SEC” address, as well as media sessions with the conference’s 14 head coaches and select student-athletes from each school. The SEC is in planning with the SEC Network to provide wall-to-wall coverage of the virtual event."