Big Orange Report - March 6, 2025


Buckle Up


The unofficial start of the 2025 football season gets underway on Friday in Knoxville when the Volunteers begin spring football practice. Coach Josh Heupel and his staff will hit the ground running because there are some position questions that need answers as soon as possible. The offensive line must replace four starters after Andrej Karic's appeal for an extra year was denied by the NCAA. The wide receiver positions will also be a point of emphasis although there is obviously some young talent in that room. The role of backup quarterback will be contested and the substitution order at running back must also be clarified. On defense, the tackles and linebackers are going to be positions to watch, although there is talent in the front seven and some returning veterans that will be looking to improve as they accept more important roles for coordinator Tim Banks and his staff.
Position Watch (Part One)
The secondary, and more specifically the cornerback positions are going to be of paramount interest to the coaches and Vol fans. Jermod McCoy, a transfer who rose to the top of the charts last fall, tore his ACL in workouts at home in Texas and he will miss spring drills and summer workouts while rehabbing the injury after surgery. McCoy had 44 tackles and four interceptions in 2024 while earning second team All-SEC and Associated Press All American honors.
Last week, the other starting corner, Ricky Gibson III announced he was considering a transfer and would enter the portal in April. This has the appearance of a money matter and the rumor has been that Gibson wanted the same amount of NIL cash that had been designated for McCoy this year. Gibson is still in school and if he goes through spring practice then there is certainly time to have him re-think his decision and remain with UT. By next week we should know if Gibson is still active with the team.
Coach Willie Martinez does have some veterans that might step up to the challenge. Jalen McMurray, a transfer from Temple, Christian Charles and Boo Carter are in the mix right now. Charles has battled injuries during his career but when able to play, he has demonstrated that he can handle the job. Carter worked as a true freshman at the Star (Rover) position last season but he is a tremendous athlete who could probably excel at corner as well as rover or safety.
Bottom
Borrowing the word from the legendary John Ward, it was an unlikely hero in the huge basketball victory over No. 3 ranked Alabama on Saturday. Senior Jahmai Mashack, best known for his smothering defensive work, drained a 45-footer with less than one second to go to propel the Vols to an incredible win over the Tide. Tennessee trailed by nine with less than 10 minutes left in the high-pitched battle and had to mount an incredible 7-0 run in the final 30 seconds to set the table for Mashack's bomb that dropped through the bottom of the net. Mashack had noted earlier this season that he had been relentlessly practicing his three point shooting and it paid big dividends in this crucial victory.
The Big Orange has two regular season contests remaining. The Vols currently have the No. 4 seed for the SEC tournament with a chance to move up if they win out. Coach Barnes squad has a dangerous road encounter on Wednesday against a very good Ole Miss team before facing South Carolina at home on Saturday. UT needs one more win to clinch a double bye in the SEC tournament and at this writing Joe Lunardi's bracketology has Tennessee back as a one seed in the big dance.
Lady Vols Stumble and Fall
The Tennessee women's team dropped two games and the defeats have probably cost them a four seed in the NCAA tournament. The Lady Vols have to now play in the first round of the SEC event. They will tangle with Texas A&M on Wednesday at 10 a.m. on the SEC network. The winner will face Vanderbilt at the same time and station on Thursday morning. 

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