Latest news with #TennesseeVolunteers
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7 hours ago
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Illinois football's Luke Altmyer reveals why he spurned return to SEC
The post Illinois football's Luke Altmyer reveals why he spurned return to SEC appeared first on ClutchPoints. This offseason, a bomb went off in the college football world when quarterback Nico Iamaleava left the Tennessee Volunteers over an NIL dispute. It was significant because it was the first dispute surrounding NIL. When it happened, rumors started swirling about who the Volunteers would potentially grab out of the Transfer Portal. One of the biggest names on the radar was Illinois football quarterback Luke Altmyer. Advertisement Altmyer started his career in the SEC at Ole Miss but transferred to Illinois and has resurrected his career in his two seasons with the Fighting Illini. Brett Bielema gave him the keys to the offense and led Illinois to its first 10-win season since 2001. Due to their success, Bielema also signed a recent contract extension. On3 interviewed him, and the spring transfer topic came up. You can infer that he never outright said that it was Tennessee. He said, 'There were opportunities for me to venture onward to the next level, but also to be able to play in another program. That's just the reality, the NCAA and the college football world we live in. 'Being from Mississippi and in SEC country, it's desirable to play in that conference, in front of people I know, and in stadiums I've been in before and grew up watching and loving. It was certainly an attraction and a real thing. Advertisement 'It was a difficult decision, but I know what's important. I know what is being created here, and the trust, unity, and connection I have amongst my teammates, this community, and my coaches. The success is waiting for me here. It'd be foolish to pick up and start over and take a risk when I have a lot of trust that's been earned and built.' Illinois football has a chance for a historic season Illinois has a chance to make history this season. Altmyer is sticking with the Fighting Illini to try to make it to the College Football Playoff and have an opportunity to compete for a Big Ten title. Still, Altmyer did not miss the opportunity to have some fun, and 10 days after Iamaleava left Tennessee, Altmyer posted a GIF of him making a 'championship belt' celebration with the message: 'Keep the Champaign Flowing.' This made it very clear that he was staying with the Fighting Illini. Illinois went 5-7 in Altmyer's first season in 2023, but in 2024, they underwent a massive turnaround and finished 10-3, one of the biggest turnarounds in college football last season. They have an opportunity to make history this year, and it became very clear Altmeyer did not want to miss out on that.
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12 hours ago
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Tennessee's Chaz Lanier Predicted to Join $269 Million Star in NBA Mock Draft
Tennessee's Chaz Lanier Predicted to Join $269 Million Star in NBA Mock Draft originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Tennessee Volunteers leading scorer from the 2024-25 men's basketball roster didn't hear his name called in the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft. But he is expected to come off the board in the second. Advertisement ESPN's Jonathan Givony and Jeremy Woo projected it to be early in the second round. In a 2025 NBA second-round mock draft, ESPN predicted Volunteers shooting guard Chaz Lanier to land with point guard Cade Cunningham and the Detroit Pistons at No. 37 overall, or seventh in the second round. "A true late bloomer who averaged 3.7 points per game over his first three collegiate seasons, Lanier turned a corner with his jumper as an upperclassman to complement his solid size, frame and 6-foot-9 wingspan," Givony wrote. "He is not much of a ball handler and will need to use his tools better defensively, but he has a clear niche to fill with the way he can space the floor and shoot off screens." Tennessee Volunteers shoot guard Chaz Lanier© David Banks-Imagn Images Lanier led the Volunteers in scoring last season with 18 points per game. The shooting guard shot 43.1%, including 39.5% from the 3-point line. Advertisement Lanier also averaged 3.9 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 0.9 steals per contest. Behind those efforts, Tennessee advanced to the Elite Eight. Lanier played one season for the Volunteers. During his first four college seasons, he played for the North Florida Ospreys. As Givony explained, Lanier was a "true late bloomer." The guard didn't earn a regular starting role at North Florida until 2023-24. In his last two college seasons, Lanier averaged 18.8 points per game while shooting 46.4%. In Detroit, Lanier could play significant minutes next to Cunningham, who signed a five-year, $269 million extension with the Pistons. Cunningham isn't eligible for free agency until 2030. Advertisement The second round of the 2025 NBA Draft begins at 8 pm ET on Thursday. Related: Tennessee Gets Strong Message From Coveted Five-Star This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 26, 2025, where it first appeared.
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12 hours ago
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Tennessee Gets Good News for Coveted Player
Tennessee Gets Good News for Coveted Player originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Tennessee Volunteers added another prospect to their 2026 recruiting class. On3's Chad Simmons reported Friday three-star offensive lineman Edward Baker committed to the Volunteers. Baker told the Tennessee coaching staff his commitment plans Thursday. Advertisement 'They were so excited,' Baker told Simmons. 'They have been waiting for me to commit. I always had a spot and they have been telling me that since they offered me." Baker added that he nearly gave his verbal to the Volunteers last December. But after official visits to the Arkansas Razorbacks, NC State Wolfpack, Ole Miss Rebels and Penn State Nittany Lions, the offensive lineman was sure that Tennessee was right for him. Tennessee Volunteers football head coach Josh Heupel© Saul Young/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images 'I love everything about Tennessee. It is a top program with great coaches," Baker told Simmons. "They look out for their players, they give their players a chance to compete and it is a big-time SEC program with top players. Their fan base is crazy, the atmosphere on game day is the best and it is a school I am excited about playing for. Advertisement 'Tennessee is a special place.' Baker also visited the Virginia Cavaliers during his recruitment process. The offensive lineman received offers from many other programs as well, including the Alabama Crimson Tide and Auburn Tigers according to 247Sports. Based on the 247Sports Composite rankings, Baker is a top 100 offensive lineman in the 2026 class. Baker is No. 94 overall at his position and the No. 23 Maryland prospect too. Baker is the 11th pledge the Volunteers have received in the 2026 recruiting class. Related: Tennessee's Chaz Lanier Predicted to Join $269 Million Star in NBA Mock Draft This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 27, 2025, where it first appeared.
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20 hours ago
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2026 three-star OL Edward Baker breaks down commitment to Tennessee
Class of 2026 three-star offensive tackle Edward Baker was pursued by many schools throughout his recruitment, but he has now made his commitment decision. On Friday, Baker announced his pledge to Tennessee. Baker took his official visit to Knoxville from June 6 through June 8. He also took official visits to his other four finalists: Virginia (April 25 through April 27), Arkansas (May 30 through June 1), North Carolina State (June 13 through June 15) and Mississippi (June 20 through June 22). Advertisement Ultimately, the Saint Frances Academy (Baltimore, Maryland) standout chose to play for head coach Josh Heupel, offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Joey Halzle, offensive line coach Glen Elarbee and the rest of the Volunteers' staff. "Tennessee is somewhere I know I can get development and get the exposure to play against the best of the best," Baker told about his commitment to the Vols. Baker has been building strong connections with Heupel, Elarbee and the other Tennessee coaches for more than a year. Those relationships played a large role in his decision to commit to the Volunteers. Advertisement "My relationship (with the Tennessee coaches) is great," Baker said. "We've been talking since the opening (communication) period for the 2026 class (in June of 2024)." During his official visit to UT earlier this month, Baker was able to connect with the staff, eat good food and get out of his comfort zone to explore new excursions. "We went tube riding on the boat — I was a little scared because I can't swim, but the life jacket saved me," Baker said with a laugh. "Smokey's (Sports Grill) is the best food spot." In addition to the schools already mentioned, Baker received scholarship offers from Alabama, Auburn, Boston College, Florida, Maryland, Miami (FL.), Pittsburgh, Syracuse, UCF, Virginia Tech and others. Advertisement While the 6-foot-4, 315-pound Baker is listed as a tackle and can certainly play outside, he also has the flexibility to play in the interior as well. "(I can play) a little of both (outside and inside) — I'm a versatile offensive lineman that can do it all," Baker said about his playing style. With Baker's commitment, Tennessee's 2026 class grows to 11 total pledges as of press time. The Volunteers rank 35th nationally. SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH TENNESSEE FANS AT
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2 days ago
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Tennessee Receives Clear Message from Nation's No. 1 RB After Official Visit
Tennessee Receives Clear Message from Nation's No. 1 RB After Official Visit originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Tennessee Volunteers and head coach Josh Heupel find themselves in the middle of an intense recruiting battle for class of 2026 running back Savion Hiter out of Mineral, Virginia. Advertisement They are just one of four schools still left standing to land his services, along with the Ohio State Buckeyes, Georgia Bulldogs and Michigan Wolverines, meaning the Vols are up against some serious powerhouses. Tennessee looked to make their impression on Friday, though, as they hosted Hiter for an official visit in Knoxville, marking his fourth time being hosted by the program after three unofficial visits. On Monday, Hiter commemorated his time there with a social media post captioned, "Thank you @Vol_Football for having my family and I this weekend, appreciate you rolling out the orange carpet #GBO." Last season, Hiter was named a MaxPreps Junior All-American after racking up a total of 1,897 yards and 29 touchdowns, while producing on defense with 56 tackles, seven sacks, four tackles for loss and one interception. Advertisement With that kind of production, it's not a huge surprise that On3 Industry Rankings has him as a five-star recruit, the No. 1 running back, the No. 1 player in Virginia and the No. 11 player in the nation. Now, it will remain to be seen if Tennessee ends up on top for the talented running back, as the Vols are given the third-best chances (17.4%), behind Ohio State (27%) and Georgia (23.6%), but ahead of Michigan (14.5%), per the On3 recruiting prediction machine. Tennessee Volunteers head coach Josh Heupel. Dale Zanine-Imagn Images If the Volunteers do end up with Hiter, he would be a major addition to their 2026 recruiting class, which features a total of nine commitments, ranking No. 7 in the SEC and No. 15 in the nation. Advertisement Related: Nation's No. 1 LB Sends Texas, Steve Sarkisian Clear Message After Official Visit This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 23, 2025, where it first appeared.
