The period between SEC Media Days and the start of fall camp is usually slow on news regarding the Tennessee Vols, and this week has been no different. Not enough news is usually generated for us to bring you daily morning reports.
As a result, this morning report on Rocky Top takes into account news that has happened over the past three days, and plenty of it is relevant. Some of it involves more preseason recognition for football players, even if the main talk of football right now is last week’s media days plus the NCAA notice of allegations on UT.
Beyond football, though, we’ve got schedules in two sports that have been announced to bring you, news of a player addition in another sport and a team academic achievement in one sport. Because of that, there are a few things to get to. Let’s start with football.
Jeremy Banks named to Butkus watch list – NCFAA.org
On Monday, Tennessee Vols football linebacker Jeremy Banks was named to the 2022 Dick Butkus Award Preseason Watch List. Banks made third-team All-SEC in the media preseason picks and led all returning SEC linebackers in tackles and solo tackles last year while finishing in the top five among them in tackles for a loss.
"The watch list features 51 linebackers, mirroring the legendary “51” pro jersey associated with the award’s namesake, Dick Butkus, who was recognized by NFL Films as the best defensive player in football history. The Butkus Award is focused on recognizing linebackers who consistently play off the ball on their feet in a two-point stance in traditional form."
Women’s golf schedule announced – Ken Lay, VolsWire
Second-year head coach Diana Cantú of the Tennessee Lady Vols golf program announced her team’s schedule for the 2022-23 season Monday. UT begins play at the Cougar Classic in South Carolina, which will take place Monday, Sept. 12 and Tuesday, Sept. 13.
"Tennessee will compete in nine tournaments, including five in the fall and four during the spring. Four of the five fall tournaments are scheduled as two-day 54-hole events."
Paxton Brooks named to Ray Guy watch list – Patrick Brown, GoVols247
Back for his graduate senior season, Tennessee football punter Paxton Brooks was named to the 2022 Ray Guy Award Preseason Watch List. There were 48 players who made the list overall, which was announced on the Ray Guy Award Twitter handle.
"Since the inception of the Ray Guy Award in 2000, Tennessee has had three punters reach the semifinalist or finalist stage – David Leaverton was a semifinalist in 2000, Dustin Colquitt was a finalist in 2002 and 2003 and a semifinalist in 2004 and Michael Palardy was a semifinalist in 2013.Brooks took over as Tennessee’s punter midway through the 2019 season and hasn’t looked back, and he goes into his super senior season with a career 43.3-yard per-punt average – the third-best mark in Tennessee history behind Trevor Daniel (45.9) and Jimmy Colquitt (43.9)."
Cross country schedule announced – UT Daily Beacon
Entering their first season under the leadership of Sean Carlson, the Tennessee Vols cross country schedule was announced Thursday. UT has four regular season races.
"The Vols open up the season with a home meet, as they host the Tennessee Cross Country Invitational at Cherokee Farms on Sept. 2.Tennessee then heads to Boone, North Carolina, for a dual race with Florida State on Sept. 16. The Vols will then race in the Live in Louisville Cross Country Classic Oct. 1 in Louisville, Kentucky."
Women’s tennis adds Ashtin Hara – UTSports
Joining Catherin Aulia and Lauren Anzalotta, Ashtin Hara has become the third newcomer to the Tennessee Lady Vols tennis team for 2022-23. Her addition was announced Thursday.
"Hara, a native of the Chicagoland area of Winnetka, Illinois, is a graduate of New Trier High School where finished her diploma in just three years. She then took a year to better her community, participating in social and community service projects."
Baseball earns academic excellence award – ABCA.org
Thanks to a 3.32 Team GPA for the 2021-22 academic year, the Tennessee Vols baseball team was recognized by the American Baseball Coaches Association for academic excellence. To earn the recognition, teams must have a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale.
"Over 250 high school programs and more than 420 collegiate programs were recognized with this year’s award.Coaches were able to nominate their teams for the ABCA Team Academic Excellence Award following the conclusion of their spring semesters prior to the nomination deadline of July 14."