Tennessee Vols morning report: 2022 SEC Media Days recap
With that, the de facto start to the 2022 college football preseason is underway. SEC Media Days has drawn to a close, and the event is such a show that it usually signals the start of looking ahead to the next season, particularly with recruiting hitting a dead period.
Our morning update on Rocky Top leads with what took place Thursday at that event, as UT took the podium that day. It’s not the only football news either. Another Vol is on an award’s preseason watch list, and he is worth mentioning.
Beyond the gridiron, news surrounding the women’s basketball schedule hit the presses Thursday regarding specific games. There was also more postseason recognition for this past year involving the men’s golf team, so we have plenty to cover. Let’s start with the big event.
Josh Heupel, players speak at SEC Media Days – SECSports.com
The final day of Southeastern Conference Media Days for the 2022 football season saw the Tennessee Vols football team finally take the stage. Josh Heupel spoke and was followed by Hendon Hooker, Cedric Tillman and Trevon Flowers. Here’s a bit of what Heupel said.
"“A year ago I talked about we were in a race to become as good as we could as fast as we can. I’m really proud of what we did in that first 12 months but so excited about what’s going to happen here in the future too.”"
Cedric Tillman on Biletnikoff watch list – BiletnikoffAward.com
In addition to joining Hendon Hooker on the Maxwell Award Preseason Watch List, Tennessee football wide receiver was named to the Fred Biletnikoff Award Preseason Watch List for 2022. Tillman was one of 43 people on the list, and it’s the fourth straight award preseason watch list with at least one Vol on there.
"The Biletnikoff Award annually recognizes the college football season’s outstanding FBS receiver. Any player, regardless of position (wide receiver, tight end, slot back, and running back) who catches a pass is eligible for the award. As such, the Biletnikoff Award recognizes college football’s outstanding receiver, not merely college football’s outstanding wide receiver."
Select Lady Vols non-conference home games revealed – UTSports
As their schedule still fills out, the Tennessee Lady Vols women’s basketball team revealed four non-conference home games on Thursday for their 2022-23 season. Three of them already have their dates set as well.
"In addition to Virginia Tech, which was previously announced as UT’s visiting opponent for the Jimmy V Women’s Classic on Dec. 4, the Lady Vols will play host to three additional 2022 NCAA Tournament teams in UConn (date TBD), Indiana (Nov. 14) and UCF (Dec. 14) during the non-league slate. Times and TV information will be announced later, but fans can click HERE for season ticket information."
Two UT golfers named All-America Scholars – CollegiateGolf.com
Spencer Cross and Hunter Wolcott of the Tennessee Vols men’s golf team were announced as Srixon/Cleveland Golf All-America Scholars by the Golf Coaches Association of America. This is the third straight year both golfers earned the honor.
"To be eligible for Srixon/Cleveland Golf All-America Scholar nomination, an individual must be a sophomore, junior or senior both academically and athletically in NCAA Division I, II, III, and NAIA, or receiving their Associate’s Degree and in their last year of athletic eligibility in the NJCAA. In addition, they must participate in 50 percent of their team’s competitive rounds, have a stroke average under 76.0 in NCAA Division I, under 78.0 in NCAA Division II, under 79.0 in NCAA Division III, under 78.0 in NAIA, and under 77.0 in NJCAA, and maintain a minimum cumulative career grade-point average of 3.2."