It’s back. The Tennessee Vols football team begins its first full preseason in two years. They are doing it with a new head coach and a ton of questions surrounding the program, but the return of sports to normal fashion after last year’s COVID season is a welcome addition.
Our morning update on Rocky Top leads with the media session that took place Tuesday to begin the preseason. We have separate stories on coaches and players speaking with the media, which should get everybody excited about the start of the season.
Beyond the football preseason, though, we still continue with our coverage of the NBA in the aftermath of last week’s draft. Summer League is now set to begin, and we’ll provide you updates on which former UT players are on rosters. Let’s start, though, with the football news.
Josh Heupel, assistants preview fall camp – UTSports
Wednesday marks the start of fall camp for the Tennessee Vols football team. Head coach Josh Heupel spoke with the media Tuesday to preview it along with defensive coordinator Tim Banks and offensive coordinator and tight ends coach Alex Golesh. A main story was quarterbacks, as Golesh said they hope to trim that race down to two soon. Here’s what Heupel said about it.
"“I anticipate us having a starter during the course of Week One, for sure. That doesn’t mean the other guys won’t have opportunities to share roles. I think it’s the challenge for every player to earn the trust of the coaching staff and show that they’re going to compete at a consistent and championship level.”"
Players speak with media ahead of fall camp – Brent Hubbs, VolQuest
Amidst a wave of transfers this offseason that came with the change in head coaches and the NCAA investigation still hanging over the program, five returning Tennessee football players spoke ahead of fall camp on Tuesday: Cade Mays, Jabari Small, Jacob Warren, Matthew Butler and Trevon Flowers. Mays talked about stepping up as a leader with Brandon Kennedy and Trey Smith gone.
"“I’m the old guy in the room, me and Big Rome (Jerome Carvin) and K’Rojhn (Calbert). Guys like that, you know, we’ve got to step in and fill those guys’ shoes and be a leader because, you know, if a position group doesn’t have a leadership guy, or leaders in general, they’re just not going to go very far.”"
Seven Vols on NBA Summer League rosters – NBA.com
Both Tennessee Vols basketball draft picks, Keon Johnson and Jaden Springer, are on their NBA Summer League rosters, the Los Angeles Clippers and Philadelphia 76ers. Yves Pons is on the Memphis Grizzlies, Jordan Bowden the Brooklyn Nets, Jordan Bone the Indiana Pacers, Kyle Alexander the Phoenix Suns and Admiral Schofield the Atlanta Hawks. Play begins Saturday.
"The 16th MGM Resorts NBA Summer League will feature all 30 NBA teams playing five games each. After every team plays four games, the two teams with the best records from the first four games will meet in the Championship Game on Tuesday, Aug. 17 at 9 p.m. ET on ESPN."