Big Orange Report May 1, 2025

 

Incoming

Tennessee athletic programs have been very active while shopping for additional players who might help elevate the teams to more competitive positions next school year. Football and both basketball squads have been bolstered by new faces that join the incoming freshmen classes on Rocky Top.

All three programs still have roster spots available so there might be additional announcements this week. The football staff is still hunting for another defensive tackle, a cornerback and, perhaps, an additional wide receiver. The basketball team wants to add another shooter or two by summer time. Ditto that for the women's program.

Football

Coach Josh Heupel and his staff had already added a pair of important offensive linemen who were able to participate in spring training this year. Sam Pendelton (6-4, 310) is a red shirt sophomore from Notre Dame and Wendell Moe (6-2, 335) is a junior who left Arizona to join the Big Orange. Also, former high school star in East Tennessee, Amari Jefferson (6-1, 210, 4.5) left Alabama after one season and enrolled at UT in January.

Joey Aguilar (6-3, 220, 4.6)- This quarterback is scheduled to enroll at Tennessee after final exams are completed at UCLA on June 9-13. If he can complete the semester on line, he might arrive prior to the early summer date.

Before he transferred to UCLA, Aguilar started two seasons at Appalachian State. He totaled over 7000 yards passing and tossed 64 touchdowns and rushed for another 456 yards and five scores. The downside is that he was intercepted 24 times but we don't know right now if his receivers were getting consistent separation or if he had to throw into tight coverage many times.

Men's Basketball

Ja'Robi Gillespie (6-1, 185) is a point guard who was a standout performer at Maryland and ranked as a top five player in the transfer portal this year. He averaged almost 15 points, five assists, three rebounds and two steals per game. He shot 40.7 percent from behind the arc and a sterling 86 percent at the charity stripe. He had 174 total assists last season.

A native of East Tennessee, Gillespie announced that he had yearned to play for the Vols on their home floor for a very long time.

Jalen Carey (6-8, 265) is a rugged power forward that played at Vanderbilt for two seasons. He is a space eater and aggressive defender/rebounder in the paint. In SEC play during the 24-25 campaign Carey averaged 9.5 points per game and 6.2 rebounds. He will help give the Vols a very formidable and intimidating front court next season.

Nate Ament (6-9, 195) committed to Tennessee last week and instantly became the crown jewel of the 2025 recruiting class. On3 ranked Ament as the No. 3 overall prospect coming out of high school and called him the No. 2 power forward. However, this youngster has incredible skills and a deadly shooting touch. He can play every position on the floor except maybe point guard.  

Women's Basketball

Coach Caldwell has been incredible so far this off season. She will play next winter with at least eight players that were ranked among the top 30 prospects coming out of high school. Her freshman class was rated No. 1 in the nation by one service after signing day.

Jersey Wolfenbarger- This 6-5 transfer from LSU can play both the power forward or post for the Lady Vols. She began her career at Arkansas as the No. 7 ranked recruit in the nation and then transferred to LSU where she played the last two seasons. She started nine games for the Tigers and logged almost 20 minutes per contest. Coach Caldwell claims that Wolfenbarger is an excellent athlete that can run the floor and fit right into the speed and controlled chaos the coach wants her team to play.

Nya Robertson-- A 5–7-point guard who was absolutely outstanding for SMU during their first season in the ACC, earning all-conference honors. Robertson averaged 18.5 points per game, 3 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.1 steals per game. She lit up a very good Louisville team by pouring in 32 points in one league contest. She will be a senior with one year of eligibility remaining.

Jaiah Barker-- Another 6-4 athlete who is moving from UCLA to Knoxville, Barker was named the sixth player of the year in the Big 10 conference at the conclusion of the season. She averaged 7.4 points and 6 boards a game for the talented Bruins team. Barker was a top 20 prospect and McDonald's All American coming out of high school.

The Big Orange Report brought to you by: