Football
While everyone else is just reporting the fact that Jauan Jennings has a list of things to accomplish (including anger management) before he can get back in the good graces of the team, Celina Summers drives home the most important part of all of it:
Whatever is on that list, Jauan, just do it. Not for us. Not for Tennessee or the team or the fans. Do it for yourself, for your future, for your family. Give yourself the opportunity to continue to develop as a football player on Rocky Top. Go to your classes. Learn to control your impulses. Don’t just slog through that list either, like it’s a bunch of chores you have to do because you got grounded. The knowledge you’ll gain by completing those tasks is so much more than football.
AD Phillip Fulmer seems to have the right take on Tennessee’s Smokey Grey uniforms, affirming the importance of tradition while also granting the authority to coach Pruitt to use shiny new objects to lure 5-star players to Rocky Top:
“I talked to Jeremy about our traditions here in a lot of things,” Fulmer said. “In the end, that will be his choice, but we have talked about it. I think he’s pretty much a traditionalist, but I can’t sit here and tell you what his plans are about the grey uniforms. That’s a recruiting thing as much as it is anything.“I don’t think you would call me old-fashioned, but as much a traditionalist as I am, that has to be his call, because he’s the one that’s out there working and trying to get great football players here.”
The Papa may be in denial about being old-fashioned, but isn’t that one of the many things we love about him?
Also, Tennessee is guaranteed to earn at least a cool $2.5 million for its neutral-site season-opener against West Virginia in Charlotte, North Carolina this fall. Are buyouts like debts? Can you pay them off early and save money?
Hoops
As part of this weekend’s SEC/Big 12 Challenge, Tennessee travels to Aimes, Iowa to take on the Iowa State Cyclones. The game tips at 4:00 p.m. tomorrow, and it’s televised on ESPNU. Will has the only game preview you need. ESPN likes the Vols, 74-71.
Here’s more on the weekend slate from the SEC Network, which includes some love for Grant Williams toward the end:
We’re inching closer to March Madness, which is from March 13 to April 2 this year, and so it’s probably time to start learning the new language of quadrants:
Tennessee’s probably in good shape in that department.
Also, the Lady Vols beat Ole Miss, 75-66 yesterday. Highlights:
Football Recruiting
We’re now 12 days out from National Signing Day, and the Vols are hosting five highly-ranked prospects this weekend ($$$). Among them are three defensive tackles, including 4-star Miami commit Nesta Silvera.
Tennessee has made the final cut for 4-star running back Jashaun Corbin, who has set his official visit to Tennessee for next weekend.
The school is having three NSD Celebrations on February 7 and 8. They’ll be held in Knoxville, Nashville, and Memphis, and you can get tickets here.
SEC Country has a full update on this year’s class as it now stands.
Other fun stuff
Do you love Chris Lofton? Of course you love Chris Lofton. And you’ll love this article about him, especially the part where Bruce Pearl says he was hoping Lofton was pregnant.
This is why defensive tackles don’t kick field goals:
Jaguars DT Malik Jackson attempts a FG pic.twitter.com/5zjqfyODi0
— Mark Long (@APMarkLong) January 25, 2018
Hey, he’s been told “LOW MAN WINS” his entire career, what did you expect?
ALVINNNNN!
NFC squad goes through the Gridiron Gauntlet flawlessly! 👏👏👏 #ProBowlSkills pic.twitter.com/PVC6ZKdKug
— NFL (@NFL) January 26, 2018
Florida has hired former Vols offensive coordinator Larry Scott to coach their tight ends this season.
