ABOUT THE COVER: Nico Iamaleava (8) the Citrus Bowl with 4 total touchdowns in first career start. Monday, Jan. 1, 2024.
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Letter from the Sports Editor: The decade of success
CALEB JARREAU Sports Editor
The embodiment of Tennessee’s athletics department, to me, can be summed up in one night in Omaha.
Tony Vitello was celebrating a National Championship with his baseball team while athletic department officials watched on with pride. Football head coach Josh Heupel and basketball head coach Rick Barnes watched as Vitello posed for pictures and jumped into the crowd.
Alongside the head coaches was Tennessee athletic director Danny White — the man who injected life into what was a floundering athletic department. He has invested in sports across campus, making it a point that if Tennessee is putting a team on the field or court, then that team will be successful.
Vitello’s championship is the first for Tennessee in any sport since 2009. Perhaps it will turn into more for the athletic department.
The 2024 calendar brings even more buzz around Tennessee in several programs — namely the one this special edition is about. Heupel has brought energy to Tennessee’s football program
after one of its lowest moments in history.
Now, it is time for his prized five-star quarterback to take the field as the starter while surrounded by talented playmakers. An expanded playoff means that a postseason game could come to Neyland Stadium, or the Vols could travel to compete in said College Football Playoff.
Whether Tennessee hits its ceiling in football or falls somewhere in between, the direction the athletic department is heading in should not be discounted. There will be packed stadiums wherever
Tennessee goes — evident by the outrage over the student ticketing predicament. Tennessee’s facilities are on track to be updated and some of the best in college sports.
From the bottom to the top, success is expected at Tennessee. For the first time in a while, success is the norm.
I hope the times Tennessee athletics is in can be truly appreciated. The 2010s were a dark time for Vols fans. The 2020s, so far, have been a decade of success.
Letter from the Assistant Sports Editor: ‘It’s football time in Tennessee’
TREVOR MCGEE Assistant Sports Editor
A new year on the horizon brings you a new assistant sports editor to the helm.
My name is Trevor McGee. You have probably read some of my pieces, but here is my formal introduction to the position. I am now 19 years old and come from Lebanon, Tennessee, where I grew up a lifelong Vols fan.
However, my rise to the love of sports that I developed came later. I did not favor sports in my younger years. I faintly remember my first Tennessee games featuring a backfield with Justin Worley manning the offense with Rajion Neal lined up to a hip.
My first game came when the Vols welcomed Bowling Green in Nashville while Josh Dobbs and Alvin Kamara starred for a Butch Jones-led squad. Finally, I entered Neyland for the first time during homecoming week — the same season in which Tennessee hosted North Texas. I saw all the notorious traditions for the first time: Running through the Power-T, the Pride of the Southland blasting “Rocky Top,” and hearing those five words from the public address announcer to start each game. My record started 2-0 in attendance, and I found myself begging for any chance to return as I grew
up. Little did I know how much a 60-minute athletic event would set up my aspirations beyond attending as a fan.
Sports became my focus and has quickly become my pursuit. I am experiencing, first-hand, the transformation of Tennessee athletics.
Widely expressed around campus is the coined phrase “everything school” and here I — alongside the rest of you readers — sit, immersed in the action. It’s not just a phrase, but rather an embodiment of the success that the entire athletics department has brought to Knoxville.
At 18 years old, I covered an NCAA National Championship-winning baseball team. It was the first team championship since 2008, and the first
in a major men’s sport in the 21st century. Some may say my start couldn’t have been any better, but I want to believe that the path takes after the Smoky Mountains we are surrounded by and the peak has yet to be met. As Danny White told me in Omaha, “The best is yet to come.”
My first year at the University of Tennessee brought me places I did not imagine at such a young age and for that, I cannot wait until I hear the infamous words come over the Neyland Stadium loudspeakers while sitting inside Tom Elam Press Box to provide coverage for The Daily Beacon.
“It’s football time in Tennessee.”
Tony Vitello celebrates with fans during the National Champion Volunteers parade. Tuesday, June 25, 2024. Elliot Walker / Contributor
VFL Alvin Kamara gets recognized ahead of Tennessee’s game against Virginia. Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023. File / The Daily Beacon
Josh Heupel remains the same as he leads Tennessee football to success
CALEB JARREAU Sports Editor
Gaston Moore has seen a lot of head coach Josh Heupel.
Moore entered Central Florida in 2020 after being recruited by Heupel. He then followed the head coach to Tennessee, utilizing his knowledge of the system in a backup role. Moore plays an important backup role now, acting like a coach and helping younger quarterbacks learn Heupel’s system.
While Moore has grown and shifted in his role, his longtime head coach has remained the same.
“Obviously, he’s probably changed in a great way,” Moore said ahead of fall camp. “When I first got to UCF, he was more, he was more invested in the offense and stuff, I’d say. But, he’s done a great job teaching the offensive stuff and the defensive stuff, and being a great head coach.”
Heupel’s investment in both sides of the ball is evident when you watch practice. The head coach is heavily involved in offensive drills and working with the quar-
terbacks, but he makes it an emphasis to watch over defensive drills as well.
“The program has changed from where it was ... Coach Heup’s history, the staffs he’s been on he’s not lost many games, period.”
ANDRE TURRENTINE Defensive back
Tennessee’s offense has been the strongest unit — which makes sense, given Heupel’s background. That offense hasn’t
often featured Moore in a major on-field role, but he has chosen to stick around anyway.
One of the main reasons for him sticking around is Heupel.
“I like him a lot. ... He’s, he’s very personable with all of his players,” Moore said. “He doesn’t only show up around in team meetings and stuff like that. He’s very personal around his players and he treats you like you’re his own kid.”
Heupel maintaining his same persona has been crucial in rebuilding Tennessee’s football program.
When he arrived, the Vols were in the midst of an NCAA investigation with a depleted roster. Now, Tennessee is in the conversation to possibly sneak into the expanded College Football Playoff.
Tennessee has been competitive and has put an entertaining great product on the field. That would not have been possible without the investment from Heupel.
“Coach Heup has been the same person since I’ve gotten here,” defensive back Andre Turrentine said. “The program has changed from where it was — him taking it from where he took it to where he is now. Coach Heup’s history, the staffs he’s been on, he’s not lost many games, period.
So just him bringing that culture here and then bringing the piece of family, which is not something that’s common amongst the college world today, but just bringing that piece of true family allows us to do what we do.”
Defensive lineman Omari Thomas remembers the first day Heupel arrived at Tennessee. He was honest with the players, telling them what to expect from their new head coach. He said he would be consistent, showing up every day as the same person.
Thomas has seen Heupel follow through on that promise. Moore has seen Heupel follow through dating back to his time at UCF. Now, both are getting to watch the effect that is having on Tennessee’s football program.
“Everything we do is just, we like to have fun with what we are doing,” Thomas said. “So it is good. Just seeing the program really just grow from the culture, all aspects around it. Just everyone’s buying into the program and really loving what we do here in Tennessee. So that’s been the biggest change for me — it’s just seeing everybody buy into what we do.“
Head coach Josh Heupel coaches at Tennessee’s third practice of fall camp on Haslam Field. Saturday, Aug. 3, 2024. Caleb Jarreau / The Daily Beacon
FOOTBALL PREVIEW
A look at Tennessee football’s key returners, newcomers
the class had multiple five-star recruit signees for Tennessee for the first time since 2015.
With the preseason coming to an end, Tennessee football heads into the season with talk surrounding the team that they haven’t heard in quite some time.
As Josh Heupel heads into his fourth season with the Vols, the team has attracted attention from coaches for the depth of the roster, with Heupel himself boasting the size and talent of the team.
According to Heupel, Tennessee will have its best roster in his four years with the program.
With a 2024 class that featured several top recruits, as well as crucial returning starters, here is how the roster breaks down.
Offense
It’s been years since a Tennessee quarterback has generated as much excitement as Nico Iamaleava has for this upcoming season. Since Iamaleava’s four total touchdowns in the Citrus Bowl against Iowa, his name has been the driver of anticipation for this team.
“Nico’s got a really good command of what we’re doing offensively,” Heupel said. “We’ve seen that this offseason. A lot goes into our quarterback play, and he’s got great command of what we’re doing.”
With Jaylen Wright and Jabari Small now in the NFL, Dylan Sampson will take the starting role.
Cameron Seldon’s spring practice injury leaves him not completely healthy to start the season, leaving the backing role to DeSean Bishop.
Bishop impressed coaches during training camp and will play a regular role during the regular season. Freshman recruit Peyton Lewis could also play a part in backing Dylan Sampson. In what Heupel has described as having the ability to play the most receivers he ever has, Iamaleava will have plenty of options to target. The Vols will likely experiment with several different rotations in the first few games of the season.
“Obviously, when we got here there were some speed bumps we had to navigate in our roster management, but this is the deepest that group has been,” Heupel said. “We’ll have an opportunity to play more guys than we probably historically have since I’ve been at Tennessee.”
Returning key starters will make up the majority of rotations, including Squirrel White, Bru McCoy and Dont’e Thornton Jr. Both McCoy and Thornton are returning from season-ending injuries last season and are expected to get consistent snaps.
Backing them up will be some newer faces in the lineup.
Tulane transfer Chris Brazzell II is expected to be a consistent presence in rotations. The redshirt sophomore was the Green Wave’s leading receiver last year.
The class of 2024 has also given the Vols some weapons in the receiver room. According to On3,
Freshman Mike Matthews was among those signees, regarded as one of the nation’s top wide receiver prospects. Matthews participated in Citrus Bowl practices as well as spring practices and is expected to see snaps in lieu of McCoy and Thornton.
Rounding out the room is Braylon Staley, another true freshman the Vols will use behind key veterans.
The offensive line is spearheaded by veteran redshirt senior Cooper Mays, who has seen 2,075 snaps and allowed only four sacks in his four years.
The Vols have experimented with several lineups during training camp, showcasing their depth. Offensive line coach Glen Elarbee has thrown in several newcomers to the line, including freshman Bennett Warren.
“You can plug in young guys and get them reps and the team doesn’t suffer,” Elarbee said during training camp. “They can function, they can go and do the job and it helps them continue to grow and move up.”
With last year’s offensive line being plagued by injuries, health and depth are key parts of the line being as successful as anticipated.
Defense
Driving the defense is edge rusher James Pearce Jr., who is currently projected as a top pick in the 2025 draft. Pearce led all defensive linemen in the SEC during his sophomore season with 8.5 sacks.
As he enters his junior year, he arguably stands as one of the best pass rushers in college football.
“James is highly competitive and uber-talented and continues to grow in being a pro every single day,” Heupel said. “Obviously, everybody sees his playmaking ability.”
Along with Pearce leading the LEO campaign,
the linebacker corps has shown depth in training camp as well. Led by new position coach William Inge, the Vols’ linebackers are projected to flourish as the season progresses.
Keenan Pili is gunning for a return after his injury against Virginia in the team’s first game last season. After undergoing rehab and training, Pili decided to return for his last year of eligibility.
A new addition to add depth to the linebacker position is freshman Edwin Spillman. The 28thranked linebacker in the country and four-star recruit via 247Sports Composite rankings, Spillman graduated high school early to join the Vols for spring practice.
On the defensive line, the Vols will return key veterans Omari Thomas and Elijah Simmons.
Players have also praised Jaxson Moi, a junior transfer from Stanford with two years of eligibility remaining.
“I was really excited about Jaxson when he went in the portal and us recruiting him and all that,” Garner said. “He came in and he probably exceeded what I had in mind so he sort of deviated my plan. But I think Jaxson’s gonna be a really good player for us and obviously he’s a tremendous leader.”
A big question mark for the defense is the secondary, with the Vols having lost a lot of experienced players in the offseason.
While adding both freshmen Kaleb Beasley and Boo Carter, the secondary for Tennessee lost a lot of veterans to either the NFL Draft or the transfer portal.
Another loss to the secondary was Jourdan Thomas, who has been ruled out for the season after a non-contact injury during practice. Carter is now expected to split snaps at the STAR position with Christian Harrison in lieu of Thomas.
Tennessee looks to have their backfield tested as the season rolls around, which could cause some issues if the offense is lacking production.
Special Teams
With Jackson Ross continuing his duties at punter for the season, the Vols are spectating a battle for starting kicker as training camp winds down. Max Gilbert, Josh Turbyville and JT Carver have been battling for the role all spring.
“It’s been awesome. We got three guys that could pretty much start anywhere in the country,” special teams coach Mike Ekeler said. “There’s one ball, only one guy can go out there, and those guys all want that job. So the chemistry in that room is as good as I’ve ever seen.”
LUKE LAMOREE
Contributor
Chris Brazzell II (17) goes through a drill with Kelsey Pope during Tennessee’s second day of fall camp at Anderson Training Center. Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024. Caleb Jarreau / The Daily Beacon
Dont’e Thorton Jr. (1) tracks down a pass during a game against the University of Missouri at Memorial Stadium, Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023. ‘New Music’ on Tuesday, Jan. 22.
Cole Moore / The Daily Beacon
Returning to form: A look at the 2024 Vols’ offense
Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel’s second season with the program remains the team’s most impressive season in Knoxville to date.
Finishing with 11 wins, the most wins under any Tennessee coach since Phillip Fulmer in 2007, while averaging the most points scored in college football, Heupel set the tone with a high-paced offense led by the likes of Hendon Hooker, Jalin Hyatt and Cedric Tillman.
With all three players leaving to play professionally the prior season, the Vols were left with more questions than answers heading into the 2023 campaign, especially on the offensive side of the football.
What remained was an offense led by quarterback Joe Milton III, a transfer from the University of Michigan who had spent the past two seasons as the Vols starter-turned-backup for Hooker.
The Vols would fall under the double-digit win mark under Milton, finishing the 2023 year at 8-4, with the team’s final win of the season delivered not by Milton, but by true freshman Nico Iamaleava.
Iamaleava, a five-star out of the 2023 recruiting cycle, takes the reins at quarterback this season with Milton departing for New England. Iamaleava represents the team’s third starting quarterback in as many seasons, but he has the potential to put Heupel’s offense back on the track Hooker set in the 2022 season.
“Nico’s got a really good command of what we’re doing offensively,” Heupel said. “We’ve seen that throughout this offseason, but really in his development from last fall, too. He’s got great comfort. There’s a lot that goes into our quarterback play from protection. It could be changing the protection. Our run game, there’s a lot of things that go into it. That’s RPO tags, it’s loaded box, it’s all those things. So he’s got great command of what we’re doing.”
While quarterback is undoubtedly the focal point, the wide receiver room is a glaring difference compared to last season.
Graduate Bru McCoy is yet again the headliner of the receiver corp after a leg injury against South Carolina sidelined him the rest of the 2023 season. Returning alongside McCoy is redshirt junior Squirrel White, Chas Nimrod and Kaleb Webb who all made waves at the first two scrimmages.
“I thought our wideouts did a good job of operation,” said Heupel. “Chris Brazzell, obviously Squirrel. But seeing Chas and Kaleb out there competing, playing extremely well. I thought the quarterbacks operated really well for almost the entire night, so it was good work.”
A transfer out of Tulane, Chris Brazzell II tallied 722 yards in his final season with the
Green Waves over 15 games, including 45 receptions and five touchdowns. Brazzell and Iamaleava are poised for big years with the Vols, and their connection is certainly reason for excitement towards this 2024 offense.
Last season saw the Vols return to the run game in a big way, their offensive identity quickly flipping from a passing first team to a run-heavy offense in just one season.
This season, the Vols are eyeing to balance the equation out again, and the bolstered receiver room will play a large factor in giving the run game breathing room.
The 2023 Volunteer offense by no means was a failure, yet the team ended the season feeling as if points were left on the table. Offensive line injuries, thin receiver depth and shaky third-down offense all played into in the decline in production.
With a strong returning offensive line, including big-time LSU transfer Lance Heard and returning senior John Campbell Jr., to go along with the budding skill position rooms, the Vols have all the tools in place to bring the offense back into the limelight of college football.
THEO COLLI Contributor
Dylan Sampson (6) during the Orange and White game at Neyland Stadium. Saturday, April 13, 2024. Cambree Gliessner / Contributor
Squirrel White (10) celebrates a touchdown by Nico Iamaleava (8) in the game against Iowa at the Citrus Bowl. Monday, Jan. 1, 2024. File / The Daily Beacon
Who is Nico Iamaleava? Tennessee’s prized quarterback set for SEC action
TREVOR MCGEE
Assistant Sports Editor
In the morning hours of Mar. 21, 2022, Nico Iamaleava took to social media to announce his college decision.
Across a three-minute-long video posted to his Instagram and X, formerly known as Twitter, accounts, Iamaleava committed to the University of Tennessee.
Since then, the buzz has been nonstop in favor of the highly-touted Polynesian quarterback with just one start under his belt.
But who is he, and what have those around him said about the young signal-caller?
Recruiting background
Iamaleava hails from Warren High School in Downey, California, where he earned himself a composite five-star rating and a top three overall ranking in the 2023 class. The talented gunslinger racked up 24 Division 1 offers, including the likes of Nick Saban’s Alabama Crimson Tide and Kirby Smart’s Georgia Bulldogs.
In the recruiting scene, Iamaleava immediately became Tennessee’s third-highest recruit of all time — surpassing Eric Berry in 2007 and Bryce Brown in 2009.
The athleticism goes beyond the gridiron, however. The 6-foot-6, 215-pound athlete was also a star on the volleyball court. Recognized as one of the top volleyball players in the country, Iamaleava elected to put away the circular white ball for the brown pigskin, focusing on the sport that earned him a scholarship and large-scale name recognition at UT.
247Sports recruiting analyst Greg Biggins last evaluated Iamaleava in Feb. of 2022.
“Iamaleava just continues to get better and his upside is as high as anyone in the ’23 class,” Biggins said. “He has an athletic 6-5 frame and is not just a talented quarterback but a gifted volleyball player as well. He’s a natural leader with a high compete level and a great off-the-field work ethic. There is not a throw on the field he can’t make. ... He has a chance to be a very special player at the next level and beyond.”
Shoes to fill
While the evaluation came in high school, it is now time for Iamaleava to take over an SEC program. After redshirting his true freshman year on campus, Iamaleava has shoes to fill as he takes the presumed starting role under head coach Josh Heupel.
Sitting behind recent NFL draft pick Joe Milton III, Iamaleava saw action in just four regular season games with one career start coming in the postseason. His lone starting action came against the Iowa Hawkeyes in the Cheez-it Citrus Bowl, where he delivered 178
yards of total offense and four touchdowns. Completing 12-of-19 passes for 151 yards and one touchdown and rushing 15 times for 27 yards and three scores, the Polynesian ran away with MVP honors in the bowl game.
Praise from the inside
Biggins’ analysis provided that Iamaleava’s character is one that other players would gravitate towards, making him a future captain candidate. The praise has been nothing short of that for the second-year quarterback.
“Nico is so mature for his age,” center Cooper Mays said. “He’s a younger guy, but he doesn’t act like that. … We just have to be really communicative. Kind of the whole offense in general, but especially with me and the quarterback, you have to talk a lot and kind of pick each other’s brain. He tries to see how I’m seeing things, and I’m trying to see how he sees things.”
Heupel’s offense is notorious for being out of the ordinary, which creates a learning curve for quarterbacks. The curve, however, has been flattened for Iamaleava.
“Nico’s got a really good command of what we’re doing offensively,” Heupel said. “We’ve seen that throughout this offseason, but really in his development from last fall too. He’s
got great comfort. There’s a lot that goes into our quarterback play from protection, could be changing the protection. In our run game, there’s a lot of things that go into it. That’s the RPO tags, it’s a loaded box, it’s all those things, so he’s got great command of what we’re doing.”
Deeper down, running backs coach De’Rail Sims is pleased with how Iamaleava is able to handle situations.
“I’m very impressed with him,” Sims said. “The way he goes out there and commands the whole entire offense, he doesn’t get flustered when things break down a little bit, he doesn’t get flustered, so you see the leadership qualities about him. You see the arm talent. The different arm angles that he’s able to get the ball out, the way he’s able to present the ball down the field. When he escapes the pocket as well, he’s dangerous from a running standpoint as well. I think he, holistically, is a really good person and a really good player as well.”
On the offensive side of the ball, Iamaleava’s receiving counterparts are continually building connections. Alabama transfer tight end Miles Kitselman has been working with Nico since he got to campus.
“Every day, Nico and I continue to grow,
especially outside of the facility,” Kitselman said. “Obviously, as a tight end and a quarterback your connection is everything and the stronger that connection is off the field, the stronger it is on the field. So, getting off the field with him and hanging out all the time has transferred to onto the field and is really starting to come together.”
Defensively, Iamaleava presents a challenge to his fellow teammates every day at practice. The standard phrase of “iron sharpens iron” stands true for Oregon State transfer corner Jermod McCoy.
“I feel like Nico is making me better,” McCoy said. “He is reading my eyes and I need to learn how to give a different look than what he thinks is coming. He’s definitely made me better.”
Coming off a 9-4 season with a bowl win, Tennessee is looking to get to heights they saw in 2022 — with aspirations further than that. The offense took a step back in 2023, but Iamaleava will step in with a large target placed on his back.
Iamaleava will get his first taste of SEC football on Sept. 21 against Oklahoma but will get to see the likes of Chattanooga, NC State and Kent State before his first action in conference play.
Nico Iamaleava (8) is awarded the MVP Belt in the Citrus Bowl. Monday, Jan. 1, 2024. File / The Daily Beacon
A look at Fall Camp
During fall practices, the team worked on improvement while simulating game-like scenarios in preparation for 2024. Vaulting a 12-game regular season schedule, the Vols aim for postseason aspirations as “the sky is the limit.”
Chris Brazzell II (17) warms-up during Tennessee’s sixth practice of fall camp at Anderson training Center. Wednesday Aug. 7, 2024. Ericksen Gomez-Villeda / The Daily Beacon
Defensive backs meet during Tennessee’s 11th practice of fall camp at Anderson Training Center. Wednesday, Aug. 14, 2024. Caleb Jarreau / The Daily Beacon
A media member records during Tennessee’s 11th practice of fall camp at Anderson Training Center. Wednesday, Aug. 14, 2024. Caleb Jarreau / The Daily Beacon
Tennessee goes through drills during Tennessee’s 11th practice of fall camp at Anderson Training Center. Wednesday, Aug. 14, 2024. Caleb Jarreau / The Daily Beacon
Peyton Lewis (22) runs with the ball during Tennessee’s 11th practice of fall camp at Anderson Training Center. Caleb Jarreau / The Daily Beacon
DeSean Bishop (25) catches a ball during Tennessee’s 11th practice of fall camp . Caleb Jarreau / The Daily Beacon
‘They continue to gel together’: Previewing Tennessee soccer’s 2024 season
JACK CHURCH
Senior Staff Writer
Tennessee soccer introduced a newlook roster in Joe Kirt’s third season as head coach.
Alongside 13 players who played for the Lady Vols last season, Tennessee welcomed 17 new players to its roster. It signed 10 freshmen to its 2024 class and brought in seven transfers, seeking to get beyond its second-round NCAA Tournament exit this season.
After four games, results are starting to show for the Lady Vols. In each match, this new-look team improves and comes closer together, seeking to make every performance better than the last.
“They continue to gel together,” Kirt said. “They’re working extremely hard, getting connected on the same page and sorting through things. ... you saw tonight (that) we were firing on all cylinders.”
After dropping a season-opening contest to Indiana, the Lady Vols won their next three games, all against in-
state opposition. On Sunday, Tennessee earned its best result of the season, beating Lipscomb 3-0.
Tennessee’s defense has conceded just one goal this season, which came in the opening match against the Hoosiers. Since then, the Lady Vols have shut down opposing offenses.
“We’ve obviously started off the year on a high note defensively,” Kirt said.
“We’ve really limited teams of their chances and that’s been something we’ve talked about since the end of last year. The team has responded really well to that.”
A major piece of Tennessee’s defensive effort is Ally Brown. The junior moved into a central role in Tennessee’s defense this season and has worked alongside new players.
In Sunday’s win over Lipscomb, Brown played a team-high 79 minutes and held back any attack from the Bisons.
“She’s always had that quality but her confidence has grown every year,” Kirt said. “We’ve always seen it in her, but I’m incredibly proud of her stepping in the center of the back and coming from the line area.”
Brown has improved tremendously over the first four games, meshing with new players in Tennessee’s back line. She scored her first career goal against Lipscomb, heading in a corner kick from Michigan transfer Sarah Bridenstine.
Even with 17 new players, Brown still feels a strong connection with the players who returned from last year’s team. Those returners still make up the core of the Lady Vols.
“It’s definitely hard with a bunch of new faces, but we have got a good handful of people coming back that we all work together,” Brown said. “I feel like everyone leads even if you’re a freshman.”
Freshmen have immediately stepped up for the Lady Vols. Reese Mattern has started every game for the Lady Vols, scoring her first career goal against East Tennessee State on Thursday.
Kirt has trusted Mattern with the responsibility of starting for Tennessee, and Mattern has proved her value as a member of the Lady Vols.
“She continues to gain confidence in terms of her own movements, the timing of her movements and her connection with the players around her,”
Kirt said after Thursday’s win. “She’s gaining confidence in everything she’s doing, and she’s a goal scorer. So she found a way to do that tonight with getting all that pressure on goal.”
Alongside Mattern, Kate Runyon is expected to take a major step forward in her sophomore season. She scored her first goal of 2024 against the Bisons on Sunday.
“She continues to gain confidence in everything she’s doing, and she’s a goal scorer.”
In goal, Ally Zazzara takes on the responsibility of the starting role after splitting time with Abby Reisz most of last season. Her experience has proven
Jaida Thomas (2) fights past a Lipscomb defender to chase down a loose ball at Regal Soccer Stadium. Sunday Aug. 25, 2024. Ericksen Gomez-Villeda / The Daily Beacon
JOE KIRT Soccer Head Coach
Squirrel White enters 2024 season with reason for motivation
CALEB JARREAU
Sports Editor
When Tennessee football took the field for the Orange and White game, starting slot receiver Squirrel White was nowhere to be found.
Many starters were held out of the glorified scrimmage, but they were still in attendance. That made White’s absence stand out — but he had good reason.
White was sitting in a hospital room, welcoming his son into the world.
“Fatherhood has been great,” White said ahead of fall camp. “It’s special, man. I love being a dad. Just being able to see him grow these past three months is just amazing. They grow so fast and stuff like that. I just love being a dad so far.”
White is used to playing with extra motivation, often accepting the chip-on-the-shoulder mindset. He entered college as a threestar prospect out of Alabama. The 5-foot-10 and 167-pound receiver didn’t get the attention that many SEC prospects do out of high school, but he has lived up to the billing.
White has tallied 1,284 yards in 25 games with the Vols over the last two years. He has also racked up four touchdowns while averaging 51.4 yards per game.
Now, heading into his junior season, White has extra motivation.
“It’s given me motivation,” White said. “My son’s dependent on me now. I’ve got to go make a name for myself and hopefully like provide for him in the future and stuff like that.”
White has garnered attention this offseason. Particularly, he was named to the 2024 Biletnikoff Award preseason watch list, one of the most prestigious awards in college football which recognizes the nation’s top receiver.
The slot receiver has impressed on the field, in the eyes of the media and in front of the Tennessee staff behind the scenes.
“For him, it is to continue to keep the work ethic the main thing,” wide receivers coach Kelsey Pope said during fall camp. “You don’t get anything for reputation. It is great that he kind of has a reputation out there, but he has to continue to work, we don’t live off reputation. Squirrel is doing a great job of being in the building. He has got some things that he has done a good job of managing this offseason. He has grown a lot as a man.
“Football has always been important to him, when he got here to Tennessee he had some growing up to do. He is light-years ahead of where he was when he got on campus. As a human being that guy has grown a ton.”
White made sure to say that he watched the Orange and White game in the hospital, watching the Vols’ young talent hit the field for the first time in Neyland Stadium.
He was impressed with his fellow receivers’ who found success on the field — pointing out players like Mike Matthews. He also saw starting quarterback Nico Iamaleava command the offense with efficiency, something he will get to enjoy this season.
“What I expect ... is (him) just being him, just proving everybody that he’s ready for the challenge and stuff,” White said. “He’s ready to take the spot to the next level coming in ... as a freshman and stuff like that. He’s ready to take that role and lead us.”
The Weekly CROSSWORD
by Margie E. Burke
Type of dust
Thunder sound
Shiny, as with tears
Not to mention...
Muppet maker Jim
21 Designer's pattern
23 Picked up the tab
25 While lead-in
26 Sinatra, for one
29 "Lent" body part
32 "Great!"
35 Slams, perhaps 58 Works together 10 Milky gems
36 Batman and 60 Shade giver 11 A cousin of,
39 Abscissa's
Squirrel White (10) at practice on Haslam Field. Wednesday, Aug. 9, 2023.
Caleb Jarreau / The Daily Beacon
Weekly Crossword by Margie E. Burke
Preview: Tennessee volleyball looks to continue success in 2024 season
The 2023 Tennessee volleyball team reached heights that it hadn’t seen since 2005, a season that featured the Lady Vols winning 16 of its final 19 regular season games on their way to an appearance in the NCAA Semifinals. The Lady Vols just barely came up short against future national champion Texas.
Nineteen years removed from their semifinal run, Lady Vols volleyball concluded their 2023 season with a 25-6 record, placing the group in the second place of a packed SEC group. Lady Vols head coach Eve Rackham Watt earned co-coach of the year honors for the SEC in what was her sixth year with the program, the most successful run to date. With the calendar year turned over and a new season on the horizon, the freshly ranked No. 15 Lady Vols find themselves four spots higher than their initial preseason ranking from last year. Additionally, the Lady Vols are slated up against seven other teams ranked inside the AVCA top-25 preseason poll, including No. 1 Texas, No. 6 Louisville, No. 7 Penn State, No. 9 Kentucky, No. 11 Florida, No. 19 Arkansas and No. 25 Georgia.
The 2024 schedule itself will feature the likes of 15 teams who reached the NCAA tournament the previous season — 18 matches in total. Five of these teams advanced to the Sweet 16. Tennessee’s volleyball program lost two big-time producers in Morgahn Fingall and Jenaisya Moore this offseason. Fingall and Moore both landed themselves honors in the 2023 All-SEC Team. Fingall also earned the title of First Team All-American with Moore earning third-team honors.
Losing All-Americans usually gives production a hit, but the Lady Vols have brought in nine newcomers to the roster this season — four transfers and five freshmen — while continuing to feature returning talent.
All-American setter Caroline Kerr quickly became one of the league’s premier young talents and top setters in a short time. Her impressive 2023 season earned her preseason All-American honors from coaches around the league. In addition to the honors, Kerr placed top three in the nation in assists per set at 11.75.
Kerr by default becomes one of the team’s biggest backbones on the court and off.
“I think she definitely recognizes it,” Rackham Watt said. “We’ve lost a
lot due to graduation and she had a big role last year. As a returning starter, she took on quite a bit in the spring and in the summer. She is still young, so she is learning through it, but she’s done a nice job understanding what the team needs, and she’s led by example ever since she got here.”
Kerr will be a critical piece to the team’s success this season, but she won’t be alone.
Transfers Nina Cajic out of Towson University and Hayden Kubik hailing from the University of Nebraska are names to keep an eye on as the season kicks into gear. Kubik herself is a former top signee from the 2022 class and made noise during the Vols’ trip to Italy this summer.
“She is a glue piece,” Rackham Watt said. “She is kind of a bit of everything, she has a great arm, but also she has a great voice. She comes in with a really different perspective and it’s been really nice to have her. Especially all spring she has been growing into a leadership role as well.”
The Lady Vols’ first big test of the season is dated for Sept. 1 on the road in Louisville, Kentucky against the No. 6 Cardinals, but the season kicks off at home on Aug. 30 against No. 7 Penn State.
THEO COLLI Contributor
Caroline Kerr (11) prepares to serve against Marist College at Food City Center. Saturday, Aug. 26, 2023. File / The Daily Beacon
Eve Rackham Watt coaches Caroline Kerr (11) during a second-round tournament match against Western Kentucky University at Food City Center. Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023. Cole Moore / The Daily Beacon
Schedule preview: Pivotal home matchups, conference game in unfamiliar territory
ALEX SARKIS Contributor
One word to describe the upcoming season for Tennessee football is likely one echoed by many other programs across the college football landscape: uncertainty.
The 2024 season will feature many firsts for the sport. A new 12-team College Football Playoff format will be implemented this year in an effort to provide greater chances for more schools to contend for a national title. Updated timing rules will be introduced, including a running clock after every first down that doesn’t occur within the last two minutes of the second and fourth quarters. The biggest change though is likely the rapid movement of multiple high-caliber schools to new conferences, and in the case of the Vols, Texas and Oklahoma to the SEC.
Despite all of these unfamiliar circumstances, Tennessee will look to get back on track over the course of this season’s gauntlet, featuring multiple marquee matchups against old foes, and some new ones too.
Here’s a look at how the season will shake out.
Aug. 31 vs. Chattanooga
In what will be redshirt freshman Nico Iamaleava’s first home start, Tennessee will welcome in-state rival Chattanooga to open up the year.
The Mocs make a visit to Neyland Stadium for the first time since 2019 when they were shut out by the Vols. Tennessee will look to replicate that performance and have the ability to give meaningful game reps to some of the lesser-known names on the roster. This is certainly no guarantee, as the Vols struggled in the 2023 home opener against another in-state opponent in Austin Peay.
Tennessee will also hope to not have to show off too much of the playbook and other scheme looks that SEC opponents may be scouting after.
If all goes to plan, Iamaleava and the rest of the offense will emerge from game one a more comfortable and mature group, looking forward to a challenging test the following week.
Sep. 7 vs. NC State (in Charlotte)
The Vols will meet the Wolfpack in the 2024 Dukes Mayo Classic at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte.
In one of the more intriguing non-conference matchups of the season, a new-look NC State squad will be led by Coastal Carolina graduate transfer Grayson McCall at quarterback. McCall will be entering his sixth season in college football and will look to utilize his veteran experience to cause the Tennessee defense havoc.
On the other side of the ball, James Pearce Jr. will be one to watch in this game for the Vols’s defense. Pearce comes into 2024 as one of the top NFL Draft prospects and will want to showcase his talents on a national stage for scouts and fans alike.
The bright lights will be shining on Iamaleava and the Vols offense for the first time, as many
wonder how the young quarterback will adapt to his first big stage. Look for veteran receivers Bru McCoy and Squirrel White to aid the young signal caller and provide steady and reliable targets.
A crucial non-conference ranked win would propel Tennessee into an ideal spot with SEC play fast approaching.
Sep. 14 vs. Kent State
Tennessee will clash with Kent State for the first time ever in this last tune-up contest before SEC play.
This will be another chance for both sides of the ball to gain chemistry against a struggling Golden Flashes program that only managed to win one game in last year’s campaign.
Sep. 21 at Oklahoma
The Vols and Sooners will christen the firstever SEC matchup at Gaylord Family — Oklahoma Memorial Stadium.
For a game that has so many storylines, Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel’s return to Norman will be one of the most prevalent. Heupel shined at quarterback for two seasons with the Sooners and led Oklahoma to an undefeated season and national championship in 2001, finishing runner-up in the Heisman Trophy decision. The Oklahoma graduate also spent time on the coaching staff as recently as 2014.
On the field, Iamaleava will face his first true road test against a stout Sooners defense and a raucous crowd. This will be a pivotal game for the freshman as he will attempt to silence the home fans and display a sense of composure strong enough to deliver a win.
Look for the high-tempo Vol offense to utilize running back Dylan Sampson to wear down Oklahoma and use its heightened adrenaline against them.
The Tennessee defense will have to deal with a young Sooners arm in sophomore Jackson Arnold. The expectations are high for Arnold in his first full season as a starter. Pearce and the rest of the Vols hope to make him uncomfortable and could play a crucial role in what might be a low-scoring contest with two dueling young quarterbacks.
Oct. 5 at Arkansas
The Vols will stick to the road for the second straight week as they head to Fayetteville to take on the Razorbacks.
Tennessee comes into this game on a threegame losing streak against Arkansas. The Vols haven’t won in Fayetteville since 2001 and hope to take advantage of a mediocre Razorbacks group that won four games last season.
Depending on the outcome of the Oklahoma game, this could be an opportunity for Tennessee to keep momentum going, or bounce back with a road victory. The Vols will need to play clean football either way.
Oct. 12 vs. Florida
The bleachers of Neyland Stadium will dawn
the signature checkerboard pattern as the Vols hope to avenge their tough loss from a year ago against bitter enemy Florida.
Tennessee has only won two of its last ten matchups against the Gators and would certainly enjoy a victory similar to the thrilling one that came in Knoxville at the hands of Hendon Hooker in 2022.
The Vols defense gave up 183 rushing yards in last year’s contest, a number they haven’t forgotten going into this game. Florida will be without star running back Trevor Etienne as he was lost to the transfer portal, but still boast a strong backfield presence in senior Montrell Johnson Jr.
Tennessee needs to start fast in the first of a crucial four-game homestand with Alabama lurking the following week.
Oct. 19 vs. Alabama
The last time the Crimson Tide stepped foot inside Neyland Stadium, they were joined on the field by thousands of Vol fans after a game-winning Tennessee field goal.
Much has happened since that chapter of the Third Saturday in October, most notably the retirement of former Alabama head coach Nick Saban. Newly hired head man Kalen DeBoer will lead the reigning SEC champions, aided by returning junior quarterback Jalen Milroe.
Omari Thomas (21) goes through a drill during Tennessee’s first day of fall camp at Anderson Training Center. Wednesday, July 31, 2024. Caleb Jarreau / The Daily Beacon
In what is likely the most anticipated home matchup of the slate for Tennessee, the crowd will play a huge factor in an effort to rattle Milroe and the Crimson Tide offense. If the Vols’ defense can cause a turnover or two early on, Neyland Stadium once again could turn into a house of horrors for Alabama, draped in a cloud of cigar smoke.
Nov. 2 vs. Kentucky
The Vols will welcome their border rival to town, riding a three-game win streak against the Wildcats.
Georgia transfer quarterback Brock Vandagriff and a veteran offensive line hope to lead Kentucky to its first win in Knoxville since 2020.
Tennessee boasts a stronger offensive attack and home-field advantage in this matchup, a factor that took a toll on the Wildcats in their last
road visit. Barring a letdown from the Vols, Tennessee should be able to take care of business and extend their recent successes against Kentucky.
Nov. 9 vs. Mississippi State
Tennessee caps off a four-game home stretch as they will face the Bulldogs for the first time in five years.
Mississippi State failed to qualify for a bowl game last season after a strong 9-4 campaign in 2022. Baylor transfer signal caller Blake Shapen will strive to lead the Bulldogs back to the postseason, and to a tough road victory against the Vols.
Mississippi State features a group of SEC newcomers all acquired via the transfer portal. Highlighted in this bunch is wide receiver Kelly Akharaiy, a former 1,000-yard receiver at UTEP. The Vols’ secondary will have to be ready for the duo of Shapen and this veteran wideout.
Nov. 16 at Georgia
It’s been eight years since Tennessee has beaten the Bulldogs and won in Athens. This will likely be the biggest hurdle for Iamaleava and the Vols in one of the most hostile environments in college football. Georgia has won 25 home games in a row, the longest such streak in the nation.
Georgia quarterback Carson Beck returns for the Bulldogs and is one of the leading names in the race for the Heisman Trophy. Florida transfer running back Etienne is a huge addition as well and will add another threat to an already potent offense.
Depending on how the season plays out, this could be a deciding game on who will go to Atlanta to play for an SEC championship. Tennessee will have to play its best game in order to earn a victory.
Nov. 23 vs. UTEP
The quality of opponents will shift drastically as the Vols play host to UTEP.
A late-season tune-up game provides a chance to regroup and refocus on the probability of the post-season and this year, a College Football Playoff berth.
All the kinks should be ironed out by this point in the season. Mistake-free football is key in building confidence for the end of a potentially special campaign.
Nov. 30 at Vanderbilt
The Tennessee faithful will fill the stands of FirstBank Stadium in the Vols’ season finale in Nashville.
Last year’s meeting with the Commodores held some emotional fireworks that spilled over into the game itself in true rivalry nature.
Tennessee hopes to continue its success in the rivalry that dates back to 1892 and notch its 81st win in the series. A conference victory may once again be crucial if the Vols are in contention for an SEC championship appearance.
Tennessee coaches preview: De’Rail Sims, William Inge highlight newcomers
TREVOR MCGEE
Assistant
Sports Editor
The 2024 coaching carousel cycle left Tennessee football with two position coaches to replace, while the rest of the staff remains focused on cohesion.
As head coach Josh Heupel leads the way into his fourth season at the helm of the Vols, the program looked outward with its two hires.
Running backs coach De’Rail Sims
In February, former running backs coach Jerry Mack accepted a job with the Jacksonville Jaguars, leaving the Vols with a vacancy. Mack had coached the backfield for three seasons at Tennessee.
The next call would be to the 38-year-old De’Rail Sims, who took over the position — a place where he has thrived through stops at Cincinnati and Louisville over the last four years. Under the direction of Sims, three of his last four squads have finished top-25 in rushing yards. In 2023 with the Bearcats, Sims’ backs scattered for 2,605 yards which ranked No. 16 nationally.
“De’Rail is an exceptionally bright coach with a track record of developing outstanding running back rooms and building relationships with his players,” Heupel said in Sims’ introductory press release. “Our run game has been vital to who we are as a program, and I expect him to make a seamless transition in helping us continue that success. De’Rail also has the experience and knowledge of our recruiting footprint surrounding Tennessee. We look forward to him making an impact in our recruiting efforts.”
A South Carolina native, Sims’ ties to the state come from his earlier coaching days when he filled duties as running backs coach and video coordinator at Carson-Newman University in nearby Jefferson City.
“Having watched this program over the years from afar, it is one rich with history and tradition,” Sims said. “I am excited to get to know our current players and hit the ground running in recruiting.”
Heading into the season, Tennessee’s running back room consists of an experienced starter with a load of potential to follow. Dylan Sampson returns alongside Cameron Seldon, Khalifa Keith and DeSean Bishop while true freshman Peyton Lewis looks to earn his reps in the SEC.
Linebackers coach William Inge
Nick Saban’s retirement sent shockwaves across the college football landscape. Coincidentally, that had implications that led to William Inge’s arrival at Tennessee.
Previously serving as the associate head coach, co-defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at Washington, Inge initially had a decision to make: follow Kalen DeBoer to Alabama or find a new home.
At that time, Tennessee was in search of a new
linebackers coach as Brian Jean-Mary elected to head back north and take the job at Michigan. The job opening pushed Inge to put on the orange and white visor, rather than staying behind DeBoer for another stop along the road.
Officially hired on Feb. 21, Inge brings 26 years of coaching experience to the Vols — including 10 seasons of defensive coordinating. Most recently, Inge coached in the 2024 College Football Playoff national championship game as Washington earned a runner-up finish, falling short to the Michigan Wolverines. The touted codefensive coordinator made the jump from the Pac-12 to the SEC, taking a title change as well to keep continuity with championship pedigree programs.
“Tennessee has a championship pedigree,” Inge said in his introductory press release. “I am extremely excited to be part of the Volunteer family and look forward to earning a championship.”
While serving as the linebackers coach at Washington, Inge developed Edefuan Ulofoshio into a national name. Racking up 96 total tackles and three sacks, Ulofoshio found himself as a Butkus award finalist — given to the best linebacker in the country — while earning first-team All-Pac-12 honors and third-team All-American honors. Additionally, his signalcalling counterpart, Carson Bruener, landed on the Pac-12 honorable mentions list.
“William is one of the most experienced and knowledgeable linebacker coaches in the country,” Heupel said. “He has a proven resume of success and understands what it takes to compete for championships on the defensive side of the ball. William is also a great family man, and I know our players and coaches will enjoy working with him. We are excited to welcome his family to Rocky Top.”
Tennessee’s linebacker core holds value as one of the deepest position groups on the roster. Keenan Pili and Arion Carter return to the room from injury designations, while Jeremiah Telander and Kalib Perry saw action last season. Redshirt freshman Jalen Smith and touted freshmen Edwin Spillman and Jordan Burns round out the depth chart.
2024 Football PICK ‘EM
TENNESSEe 58 VS. CHATTANOOGA 13
NORTH DAKOTA STATE VS. COLORADO CLEMSON VS. GEORGIA
MIAMI VS. FLORIDA
NOTRE DAME vs. TEXAS A&M
UCLA vs. hawaii
USC vs. LSU
TENNESSeE 45 VS. CHATTANOOGA 3
NORTH DAKOTA STATE VS. COLORADO CLEMSON VS. GEORGIA
MIAMI VS. FLORIDA
NOTRE DAME vs. TEXAS A&M
UCLA vs. hawaii
USC vs. LSU
TENNESSeE 63 VS. CHATTANOOGA 7
NORTH DAKOTA STATE VS. COLORADO
CLEMSON VS. GEORGIA
MIAMI VS. FLORIDA
NOTRE DAME vs. TEXAS A&M
UCLA vs. hawaii
USC vs. LSU
TENNESSeE 56 VS. CHATTANOOGA 7
NORTH DAKOTA STATE VS. COLORADO CLEMSON VS. GEORGIA
MIAMI VS. FLORIDA
NOTRE DAME vs. TEXAS A&M
UCLA vs. hawaii
USC vs. LSU
TENNESSeE 53 VS. CHATTANOOGA 7
NORTH DAKOTA STATE VS. COLORADO
CLEMSON VS. GEORGIA
MIAMI VS. FLORIDA
NOTRE DAME vs. TEXAS A&M
UCLA vs. hawaii
USC vs. LSU
TENNESSeE 45 VS. CHATTANOOGA 7
NORTH DAKOTA STATE VS. COLORADO CLEMSON VS. GEORGIA
MIAMI VS. FLORIDA
NOTRE DAME vs. TEXAS A&M
UCLA vs. hawaii
USC vs. LSU
Caleb Jarreau Sports Editor
THEO COLLI CONTRIBUTOR
EMMA LOVE MANAGING EDITOR
Trevor McGee AssT. Sports Editor
CADEN DYER COPY CHIEF
JACK CHURCH SENIOR STAFF WRITER
De’Rail Sims coaches during fall camp at Anderson Training Center. Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2024. Caleb Jarreau / The Daily Beacon
