Vols Add SEC Frontcourt Standout Jaylen Carey
Courtesy / UT Athletics

Vols Add SEC Frontcourt Standout Jaylen Carey

April 8, 2025

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – University of Tennessee head men’s basketball coach Rick Barnes announced Tuesday the signing of Jaylen Carey.

A forward who already has a year of SEC experience on an NCAA Tournament team, Carey joins the Volunteers from Vanderbilt. He has two seasons of collegiate eligibility remaining.

“We are pleased to welcome Jaylen, as well as his great family, to Vol Nation. He is a tremendous person and his distinct passion for the game will blend in nicely with the culture of Tennessee basketball,” Barnes said. “Jaylen is a physical power forward with versatility who can play with his backet to basket or face up. He is a proven SEC competitor with excellent hands, superb offensive instincts, quality passing ability and a strong feel for the game. Jaylen’s style will complement the post players we already have and we cannot wait to get to work with him.”

Prior to spending this past season at Vanderbilt, Carey opened his career in 2023-24 at James Madison. Over his two years as a collegian, he owns averages of 7.5 points and 5.0 rebounds in just 17.4 minutes per game, along with a 56.5 percent field-goal clip.

Carey has 20 double-digit point totals thus far, including notching 14-plus seven times and 18 twice. The 6-foot-8, 265-pounder has pulled down 10-plus rebounds on six occasions, four times recording a double-double.

During the 2024-25 season, Carey averaged 8.0 points and 5.7 rebounds in 20.2 minutes per game for Vanderbilt. He grabbed six-plus rebounds in 17 of 33 games, aiding the Commodores to a 20-13 (8-10 SEC) record and their first NCAA Tournament trip since 2017.

Carey was at his best in SEC play, recording 9.5 points and 6.2 rebounds in 21.9 minutes per game across his 18 outings in league action. Seven of his 11 double-digit point totals came in conference competition, as did four of his five double-figure rebound performances and two of his three double-doubles.

One of Carey’s finest games came Feb. 15 in Knoxville when he tied a career high with 18 points, shooting 5-of-6 from the floor and 7-of-9 at the line, at Food City Center. The Davie, Fla., native added seven rebounds and three assists in the contest.

In 2023-24, Carey helped James Madison to its finest year in program history, as the Dukes went 32-4 (15-3 SBC) and reached the NCAA Tournament Round of 32. He averaged 7.0 points and 4.8 rebounds in just 14.9 minutes per game, plus shot 66.9 percent from the field.

Carey scored in double figures nine times as a freshman and tallied one double-double. He scored 13 points on 6-of-7 shooting in the Sun Belt Conference Tournament title game victory over Arkansas State.

A graduate of Westminster Academy, Carey averaged 14.7 points and 10.1 rebounds per game as a senior. He was an all-state selection as a junior after putting up greater than 19.0 points, 13.0 points, 3.0 assists and 3.0 blocks per game.

Carey was a 2022 All-Nike EYBL Peach Jam Second Team designee after averaging 15.2 points, 10.0 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.8 blocks and 1.0 steal per game in the prestigious tournament. Competing for Nightrydas Elite, he also collected All-Defensive Team recognition.

Before Carey, the last Floridian on Tennessee’s roster was Derek Reese in 2015-16, Barnes’ first season at the helm. Carey follows eight prior letter winners from the Sunshine State, a group that includes Dyron Nix and Austin “Red” Robbins.

Carey’s father, Vernon Sr., was an All-American and national title-winning offensive lineman at Miami. He was the No. 19 pick in the 2004 NFL Draft and played eight seasons with the Miami Dolphins. Carey’s brother, Vernon Jr., was an All-American basketball player at Duke, where he was the 2020 USBWA National Freshman of the Year. He was the No. 32 pick in the 2020 NBA Draft and currently plays professionally in Turkey.

On3 ranks Carey as the No. 38 player in the transfer portal, including 11th-best at the power forward position.

To keep up with the University of Tennessee men’s basketball team on social media, follow @Vol_Hoops on Instagram and X/Twitter, as well as /tennesseebasketball on Facebook.

Defense Sets The Tone In Second Spring Scrimmage
Courtesy / UT AThletics

Defense Sets The Tone In Second Spring Scrimmage

April 8, 2025

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee’s first-team defense set the tone in the Volunteers’ second scrimmage to kick off the final week of spring football Monday morning in Neyland Stadium.

Tennessee opened the morning with special teams action and worked close to 80 plays from scrimmage, culminating with a four-minute drill.

“Just defensively, started fast today,” said head coach Josh Heupel. “I thought they played extremely well early in the scrimmage. Offensively, there’s some execution that we have to clean up. That’s guys that are skill players out on the perimeter. It was some of our protection stuff too. All in all, there are some things that we have to do at a better level today.”

Dynamic sophomore Boo Carter continues to see action in all three phases – as a special teams returner, as the starter at STAR on defense and as a wide receiver.

“We’re intentional in what positions we are putting him in during the course of practice and today during the scrimmage, and trying to manage that side of it,” Heupel said. “He has worked hard. You can look at him as a punt returner, to see his skill set when he has the ball in his hands that he has the chance to be a dynamic playmaker.”

The Vols return to the field Wednesday for their final padded practice before going through a “fast” Friday workout.

Saturday’s Orange & White Game presented by Cherokee Resorts & Entertainment is set for a 2 p.m. start in Neyland Stadium. Tickets are on sale now at AllVols.com.

“I think it is really important for the young guys,” Heupel said. “They get a chance to go out and perform in front of people. It’s a part of the growth for them as we get ready for kickoff next fall. It should be a beautiful day, and I look forward to seeing our fans.”


Tennessee Football Media Availability | April 7, 2025
Head Coach Josh Heupel

Opening statement…
“Good work this morning. Got some situational football in as well, and there are some things to clean up from that. The defense, ‘one’ defense in particular I thought had a really good day, started really fast. Offensively we have some things that we have to clean up – just on execution and communication – but a lot of good work.”

On the improvement of pre-snap operation during the second scrimmage…
“Both sides of the ball had a few more penalties than we had in scrimmage one. We have to play smart, play cleaner, and that was true offensively but on the defensive side of the ball as well. We have to continue to grow in the way that we play.”

On the challenge of scrimmaging and maximizing opportunities…
“The game hasn’t changed. You have to be physical, you have to play with alignment and technique and you have to play assignment sound. We’ve tried to balance that throughout the course of spring but at some point, you have to get the work that you need to grow as a team too. On days like today, we’ve placed an emphasis on that.”

On the development of Peyton Lewis…
“Peyton has had a great spring. He has a lot more comfort and understanding in the scope of what we’re doing, and it should be that way in year two. He grew throughout the course of last year too, but he’s done a really, really good job. That’s with the ball in his hands, but that’s also playing without the ball. All those running backs have done a good job of growing throughout the (spring), but have really grown fundamentally in playing without the football. They’ve all continued to take strides in understanding what we’re doing, in particular the young guys. A lot of good competition in that room.”

On execution of the defense early in the scrimmage…
“Just defensively, started fast today. I thought they played extremely well early in the scrimmage. Offensively, there’s some execution that we have to clean up. That’s guys that are skill players out on the perimeter. It was some of our protection stuff too. All in all, there are some things that we have to do at a better level today.”

On younger players understanding the urgency of roster placement and how it has affected their approach…
“They get the urgency of the competition. We grade those guys every day. They certainly understand that you don’t just put the Tennessee helmet on and positive things happen for you on gameday. This is a game where you have to go make it happen. All of those guys are in the growth (stage), talking about the young guys in particular. There is not an end destination, it’s a journey to continue to grow to be the player you need, and then to operate as 11 guys operating as one. Offense, defense, and on special teams too. We are a long way from kickoff. We have a chance to be a good team, but we have to continue to grow.”

On Boo Carter handling the duties of a two-way player…
“When you do that, there is a whole other work load that you have to take on. You have to understand what is going on, on both sides of the football, and he has done a really good job. He has spent a lot of extra time in here, learning what we’re doing offensively and being able to handle the structure of the offense. We’re intentional in what positions we are putting him in during the course of practice and today during the scrimmage, and trying to manage that side of it. He has worked hard. You can look at him as a punt returner, to see his skill set when he has the ball in his hands that he has the chance to be a dynamic playmaker.”

On his evaluation of the quarterbacks in the scrimmage with deep-ball accuracy…
“A couple plays down the field that I really liked. We got into some four-minute situation, and there are some things we can clean up in the operation of that. That’s the first time they’ve had that this spring. All in all, there is some real positive, but there are things that we have to clean up, and that’s all the guys that are in the room.”

On the offensive line’s performance and progress…
“I like where the group is going. There is competition. They understand that, day-in and day-out with what is going on out on the practice field and how they are getting graded. Today, I thought there were times where we executed well in the run game. I don’t think it was a complete day where we executed to the level that we’re capable of as an entire unit for the entire day.”

On the young receivers building on the first scrimmage and their performance today…
“Those guys have been really consistent as far as what we are getting out of them on the practice field and in the meeting room. You see them continuing to take strides. I thought they both performed well today, talking about the two new young guys in that room (Travis Smith Jr. and Radarious Jackson).”

On the defensive backs’ progression between spring scrimmages…
“For me – after watching it, I’ll have a better understanding of their overall performance throughout the course of the day. Fundamentally and within the scope of their technique and scheme, they have continued to take strides. You can see that in our 11-on-11, but you can see it in some of our group work where we are working those fundamentals and technique as well. It’s a talented group, it’s long, it’s athletic. They just have to continue to grow as a player before we get to the fall.”

On Mike Matthews, Chris Brazzell II and Braylon Staley’s performance in the scrimmage…
“Braylon (Staley) wasn’t going today, but I thought the other two guys did a good job in the scope of what we are doing offensively. They have been consistent in making plays day-in and day-out on the practice field. For them, it’s just constant growth within the scope of what we are doing: the fundamentals and technique. learning how to attack defenders, reading zone and man and ultimately getting on the same page with the quarterback.”

On concerns for depth at wide receiver…
“Ultimately, it is always about the guys in the room. A year ago, we had some guys that departed through the transfer portal. It’s hard to keep everybody happy at that position. I love the group that we have. As a staff, you always evaluate where you are on the back end of spring ball, and we will certainly do that. I really like the guys we have there. How they work, how they compete, how they are trying to grow, that’s on the practice field and outside of it. I like what they have done through the course of spring ball too.”

On his approach to the Saturday’s Orange and White Game…
“For us, it is the third opportunity to play football in a gameday-like situation. I think it is really important for the young guys. They get a chance to go out and perform in front of people. It’s a part of the growth for them as we get ready for kickoff next fall. I am looking forward to seeing a huge crowd. I’m not sure what we are limited to because of construction, but I expect that thing to be packed out. It should be a beautiful day, and I look forward to seeing our fans.”

On if the spring game will be a similar format like recent years…
“Yes, relatively. There may be a few subtle tweaks to it, but yes.”

Bill to Charge Undocumented Students Tuitions Narrowly Passes a Committee to Continue on to Another
Robin Joffe

Bill to Charge Undocumented Students Tuitions Narrowly Passes a Committee to Continue on to Another

April 8, 2025

The House Government Operations Committee narrowly passes the bill that would allow Tennessee schools to charge undocumented students tuition, or refuse to enroll them if their parents cannot pay.

The bill was recommended for passage with eight votes for and seven votes against it during yesterday’s (Monday) hearing. Now, it will be discussed in the House Finance, Ways and Means Committee.

As it was being voted on, demonstrators gathered to recite the Lord’s Prayer in front of the representatives.

The bill has faced extensive debate in the legislature as well as pushback from demonstrators at several junctures during this session.

Secretary of State Tre Hargett Warns Tennesseans About Donation Scams Claiming to Support Tornado and Flood Victims
State of Tennessee

Secretary of State Tre Hargett Warns Tennesseans About Donation Scams Claiming to Support Tornado and Flood Victims

April 7, 2025

(NASHVILLE, Tenn.)—As communities across Tennessee begin recovering from devastating tornadoes and flooding, and with the threat of more severe weather this weekend, Secretary of State Tre Hargett warned Tennesseans to remain vigilant about potential scams as they consider supporting those impacted.

“Tennesseans are among the most generous supporters of charitable causes, and too often, bad actors target their good faith, kindness, and generosity during these extremely difficult situations,” said Secretary Hargett. “Anyone considering donating to support what will likely be a long recovery process needs to be an educated consumer with their gift. If citizens have questions about an organization’s legitimacy or objective, please contact our office at 615-741-2286.” 

Citizens considering a charitable donation are encouraged to do their research and ensure an individual or entity is registered with the state through the Secretary of State’s website. They should also resist pressure to give immediately and ask questions about an entity’s specific mission and who benefits from their donation. If anyone donates through an app or website, they should make sure their information goes directly to the organization.

Additional wise giving tips include asking for a receipt and whether a contribution is tax-deductible, paying close attention to the name of a nonprofit organization, and inquiring how much money the fundraiser keeps and how much goes to a nonprofit. Donors are also encouraged to refrain from giving cash and, instead, use a check or credit card so there is a record of the transaction.

For additional suggestions, please visit https://sos.tn.gov/charities/guides/easy-steps-to-wise-giving.

Entities soliciting as part of disaster relief fundraising are also reminded that there are certain reporting requirements under state law. To learn more about filing a report, please click here.

Tennessee's State Seal

Mission Statement

Heroin, Stolen Gun Found in Car During Traffic Stop in Cumberland County, Sheriff’s Office Says

Heroin, Stolen Gun Found in Car During Traffic Stop in Cumberland County, Sheriff’s Office Says

April 7, 2025

Cumberland County, TN (WOKI) Two people are arrested early Wednesday morning after heroin and a stolen gun are found during a traffic stop in Cumberland County.

Officials with the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office say deputies pulled a car over for multiple lane violations on I-40 East just before 2:30 a.m. The driver, Jerry Crandall, and the passenger, William Kirby, couldn’t give deputies a valid driver’s license or proof of insurance.

CCSO says deputies had probable cause to search the car finding a gun which was stolen from Knox County, a glass pipe with residue inside and Narcan. Deputies also found 68 grams, about four ounces, of a substance that field-tested positive for heroin.

Crandall and Kirby were taken into custody and transported to the Cumberland County Jail.

Heroin, stolen gun found in car during traffic stop in Cumberland County, sheriff’s office says. (Courtesy: CCSO)
High-Speed Chase Across Multiple Counties Ends in Downtown Knoxville with Two Arrests

High-Speed Chase Across Multiple Counties Ends in Downtown Knoxville with Two Arrests

April 7, 2025

Knoxville, TN (WOKI) Two people are arrested in downtown Knoxville following a high-speed chase across multiple counties Monday morning.

The Monroe County Sheriff’s office says the chase began in Sweetwater after the driver, identified as Nathan Hatfield, and an unidentified female passenger fled from a traffic stop.

Officers then pursued the car into Loudon County before it was stopped using stop sticks on I-40 East near Hall of Fame Drive in Knox County.

Authorities say the suspects also threw over an ounce of methamphetamine out of the car during the chase, but a detective was able to recover it.

Hatfield is facing numerous charges to include:

  • Felony evading
  • Reckless driving
  • Possession of meth for resale
  • Tampering with evidence
  • Criminal impersonation
  • Driving on a revoked license

Officials say more charges against Hatfield are pending.

Kimberly Glenn with the Knox County Sheriff’s Office said that deputies assisted Tennessee Highway Patrol and Loudon County Sheriff’s Office in the chase. She said nobody was injured in the chase.

Authorities say the suspects also threw over an ounce of methamphetamine out of the car during the chase, but a detective was able to recover it. (Courtesy: Sweetwater Police Department)

Early Morning Crash in Halls Traps Truck Driver

Early Morning Crash in Halls Traps Truck Driver

April 7, 2025

Halls, TN (WOKI) A truck driver is trapped for over 40 minutes after a crash early Monday morning in Halls.

Officials with Rural Metro Fire Department say crews were called to Maynardville Highway at East Emory Road in North Knox County just before 6:00 a.m. where they found a box truck had collided with the rear end of a tractor trailer.

Rural Metro reports the driver of the box truck was heavily entrapped in the vehicle and that multiple crews worked for 45 minutes to free the victim.

He was transported to the trauma center with what appeared to be non-life threatening injuries.

Doyle Earns Second SEC Pitcher of the Week Honor This Season
Courtesy / UT Athletics

Doyle Earns Second SEC Pitcher of the Week Honor This Season

April 7, 2025

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Tennessee’s Liam Doyle was named the SEC Co-Pitcher of the Week, the conference announced on Monday afternoon, sharing the honor with LSU’s Kade Anderson.

For the second time this season, Doyle played the starring role in a combined no-hitter by the Big Orange. The junior lefty had eight strikeouts and two walks over six shutout innings in a 10-0, seven-inning run-rule victory over Texas A&M in Friday’s series opener.

It was the 10th no-hitter in program history and the first by an SEC team in league play since Vanderbilt no-hit Kentucky on April 22, 2022. Tennessee’s two no-hitters this season mark the second time in program history that it has recorded multiple no-hitters in the same year, joining the 1976 team that threw three.

This is the second time this season that Doyle has been tabbed the SEC Pitcher of the Week after also earning the honor on March 10 following UT’s first no-hitter of the year against St. Bonaventure.

The Vols have taken home five SEC weekly awards this season, including three pitcher of the week selections.

2025 SEC Weekly Award Winners

Levi Clark – Fr. – UTL
SEC Freshman of the Week (March 10)

Liam Doyle – Jr. – LHP
SEC Pitcher of the Week (March 10 | April 4)

Gavin Kilen – Jr. – INF
SEC Player of the Week (March 3)

Marcus Phillips – Jr. – RHP
SEC Pitcher of the Week (March 17)

Vols Ink All-Big Ten Honoree Ja’Kobi Gillespie
Courtesy / UT Athletics

Vols Ink All-Big Ten Honoree Ja’Kobi Gillespie

April 7, 2025

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – University of Tennessee head men’s basketball coach Rick Barnes announced Monday the signing of Ja’Kobi Gillespie.

A guard who hails from nearby Greeneville, Tenn., Gillespie comes to Tennessee from Maryland, where he was a Third Team All-Big Ten selection in 2023-24. The second-ranked player in the transfer portal according to EvanMiya.com, Gillespie has one season of collegiate eligibility remaining.

“We are thrilled to welcome Ja’Kobi to Rocky Top, a place he and his wonderful family know well as East Tennessee natives who bleed orange. Ja’Kobi is a high-character young man who fits our program and truly wants to be a Volunteer,” Barnes said. “A dynamic point who can really shoot the ball from deep and get his teammates involved, Ja’Kobi is a fearless competitor with a high basketball IQ. We expect him to help lead our team from day one and we feel quite fortunate to have him as a part of our program.”

Before playing at Maryland in 2024-25, Gillespie was at in-state Belmont for two seasons. Across his three-year college career, he owns averages of 13.6 points, 4.2 assists, 2.8 rebounds and 1.9 steals per game. He possesses an excellent shooting line of 48.7 percent from the floor, 37.9 percent on 3-pointers and 81.0 percent at the stripe.

Gillespie owns 70 double-figure scoring performances, reaching 15 on 43 occasions and 20 in 14 contests. He has started 68 games in his career, including doing so in 60 of his 61 outings over the last two seasons.

Most recently, Gillespie spent last season at Maryland, where he posted 14.7 points, 4.8 assists, 2.8 rebounds and 1.9 steals per game. He helped the Terrapins go 27-9 (14-6 B1G) and reach the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2016.

The 6-foot-1, 186-pounder finished co-third in the Big Ten in steals average and fifth in assists average. He shot 45.3 percent from the field on the season, including a blistering 40.7 percent beyond the arc, as well as 86.2 percent at the line.

Gillespie recorded double-digit points in 30 of Maryland’s 36 games. Twenty of his 22 showings with 14-plus points came against Power Five competition, including all 12 of his performances with at least 17 points and all six with 20-plus. His season high of 27 came Jan. 10 in a victory over UCLA.

Additionally, Gillespie had at least five assists in 17 appearances, with nine-plus in five, including a season-best 11 to go along with 17 points versus Syracuse in a Dec. 21, 2024, win over Syracuse in Brooklyn, N.Y. He made multiple 3-pointers in 27 contests, reaching four-plus on eight occasions, as well as multiple steals 24 times, with four in four contests.

In 2023-24 at Belmont, Gillespie was named a Second Team-All MVC selection, as well as a member of the MVC All-Defensive Team and MVC Most-Improved Team. He averaged 17.2 points, 4.2 assists, 3.8 rebounds and a league-best 2.2 steals per game. He also led the MVC with a 56.1 field-goal percentage and a 63.1 effective field-goal percentage, plus shot 38.7 percent from deep and 83.1 percent on free throws.

Gillespie, who placed fifth in the league in both points and assists per game, scored in double figures in 24 the 25 games played in, reaching 15-plus in 18 and 20-plus in seven. He had multiple steals 17 times, with a high of seven in a Nov. 14, 2023, victory over Berry.

The Volunteer State native’s play helped lead the Bruins to a 20-13 (12-8 MVC) record. The prior year, as a freshman, he aided the team to a 21-11 (14-6) campaign.

That year, Gillespie earned MVC All-Freshman Team and MVC All-Bench team plaudits. He averaged 9.6 points, 3.3 assists, 2.1 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game and amassed 16 double-digit scoring performances.

A prep star at Greeneville High School, Gillespie collected 2022 Tennessee 3A Mr. Basketball distinction. He became the first player from the northeast part of the state to win Mr. Basketball in its then-37-year history.

Gillespie totaled 2,129 points in high school, including logging 27.3 per game during a senior campaign in which he led his team to the 3A state title. He garnered state tournament MVP plaudits, as well as Tennessee Player of the Year accolades from 5StarPreps.com, Tri-Cities.com and WJHL-TV. The two-time TSWA All-State designee also helped Greeneville win the 2A state crown as a junior, as he put up 20.8 points per game.

Before Gillespie, the last Tennessee men’s basketball player from the city of Greeneville was Roe Campbell in 1923, over a century ago. Gillespie played AAU basketball for B. Maze Elite, a Knoxville-based program run by former Tennessee guard Bobby Maze (2008-10).

In addition to EvanMiya.com labeling Gillespie the second-best player in the transfer portal, 247Sports and On3 both slot him seventh.

To keep up with the University of Tennessee men’s basketball team on social media, follow @Vol_Hoops on Instagram and X/Twitter, as well as /tennesseebasketball on Facebook.

An Investigation is Underway Following a Fatal Head-On Motorcycle Crash in Cocke County

An Investigation is Underway Following a Fatal Head-On Motorcycle Crash in Cocke County

April 7, 2025

An investigation is underway after two people are killed after two motorcycles crash head-on in Cocke County.

The Tennessee Highway Patrol says Hubert and Norma Roberts were riding on a Harley Davidson trike on U.S. Highway 25-70 Saturday afternoon while Bobby and Shawnte Whitaker were riding on a motorcycle in the opposite direction.

The Roberts’ bike crossed over the center line and hit the other motorcycle head-on.

All four were thrown for their motorcycles.

Hubert Roberts was pronounced dead at the scene while Norma Roberts was pronounced dead at the hospital.

Bobby and Shawnte Whitaker were injured in the crash. They were flown to the University of Tennessee Medical Center with serious injuries.

No word yet if charges will be filed.

Podcasts

What's happening