JP Productions Sports

 

  Meet the Vols 2025 Running Backs Position Coach--De'Rail Sims All Star Candidates-- DeSean Bishop, Peyton Lewis DeSean Bishop-- Red Shirt Sophomore (5-10, 210, 4.55) from Knoxville Karns-- A true success story at Tennessee is the evolution of Bishop, a former walk-on who not only earned his "spurs" but has become a top tier running back in the SEC. He is a former two-time Mr. Football award winner that enrolled at UT and then went to work. Bishop is tough with great field vision and is difficult for one guy to get on the ground on first contact with a defender. He was the primary backup behind Dylan Sampson last fall, playing in nine games. He rushed for 455 yards and three touchdowns while averaging 6.15 yards per carry which was the third best average in the conference in 2024. He continues to work on his pass blocking and receiving in practice sessions. Peyton Lewis-- Sophomore (6-1, 215, 4.45) from Salem, Virginia-- Lewis might very well be the most athletically gif...

Meet the Vols 2025 Wide Receivers Position Coach-- Kelsey Pope All Star Candidate-- Chris Brazzell Chris Brazzell- Red Shirt Junior (6-5, 205, 4.6) from Midland, Texas (Transfer from Tulane)-- The only true veteran in the wide receiver room this year, Brazzell was the leading receiver and all-conference selection following a stellar season at Tulane in 2023. He struggled at times a year ago but should be ready to be a go-to target for Vol quarterbacks this fall. He had 29 receptions for 333 yards and two touchdowns in 2024 but one of those TD catches was a game winning grab on a 16 yard throw in the corner of the endzone against Alabama. For his career, Brazzell has caught 74 passes for 1055 yards and seven touchdowns. He is a strong, tall target that can work the middle of the field for the Vol offense. Mike Matthews-- Sophomore (6-1, 200, 4.5) from Lilburn, Georgia-- One of the highest rated receiver recruits ever signed by Tennessee, Matthews checked in as a five star, top three wid...

 

  Jason Peevyhouse Editor, JP Productions Sports Basketball players from around the community from the past – and some from the present – will come together on Saturday night for a worthwhile cause as former Dyer County and University of Tennessee standout Robert Hubbs, III, presents the R3 Charity Basketball Game with all the proceeds going to Nolan Grills and his family. “We wanted to do something special to the community and for the Grills family,” Hubbs said. “We all know about the situation. “Me and Hanna Box came up with the idea to help make it easier on them. That way, they’re not struggling or trying to grit and grind for anything that they don’t have to. Especially in this situation.” Nolan Grills, a 9-year-old young man from Newbern, TN is currently receiving treatments at St Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis for Peripheral T Cell Lymphoma (PTCL). Nolan has been blessed so far with great news, and the treatments are working. Profits from this ev...

 

  Meet the Vols 2025 Defensive Secondary Position Coaches-- Willie Martinez, Alan Williams All Star Candidates-- Jermond McCoy, Boo Carter Jermond McCoy--Junior (6-0, 1900, 4.5) from Whitehouse, Texas (Transfer from Oregon State)-- McCoy suffered a knee injury working out in early January but he is reportedly ahead of schedule on rehabilitation and should be ready to go for the season opener. He burst onto the scene last fall after transferring to Knoxville and became on of the premiere cornerbacks in the nation. He notched 44 total tackles, four interceptions, nine pass breakups and was named to the All-SEC team. He was a key factor in the win over Alabama with eight tackles and a pick in the end zone to stymie a Tide drive. He was named National Defensive back of the week following the Vols win over Oklahoma. Both Athlons and Walter Camp sites have named McCoy a pre-season All American and he will again be on the Jim Thorpe watchlist for national defensive back of the year. He ma...

  Meet the Vols 2025 Linebackers/Leos (outside pass rushers) Position Coaches-- William Inge, Levorn "Chop" Harbin All Star Candidates-- Josh Josephs, Arion Carter Josh Josephs-- Senior (6-3, 245, 4.65) from Kennesaw, Georgia-- Josephs may be on the threshold of stardom after logging almost as many snaps as the starter at the LEO position last season. As a matter of fact, he was named the SEC's Defensive Lineman of the Week after forcing not one, but two fumbles against the Oklahoma Sooner offense. Over the past two autumns, JJ has registered 70 total tackles, 16 stops for minus yardage, 5.5 quarterback sacks and 16 quarterback hurries with a determined rush from the edges. The staff is also looking for him to be more assertive and take a leadership role with the defense this year. Caleb Herring-- Junior (6-5, 247, 4.6) from Newnan, Georgia and Riverdale H.S. in Tennessee-- One of the most athletic players at the line of scrimmage and first level of the defense, Herring w...

 

  Meet the Vols 2025 Inside Defensive Linemen Position Coach-- Rodney Garner All Star Candidate-- Bryson Eason Bryson Eason-- Redshirt Senior (6-3, 315) from Memphis-- One of the quicker and more athletic defensive tackles in the SEC this season, Eason enrolled at Tennessee as a linebacker prospect before adding weight and moving to a down lineman position. Last fall he totaled 24 tackles and seven stops behind the line of scrimmage. He also delivered one of the biggest plays of the campaign when he had a tackle for a five-yard loss in overtime against Florida. This is a player who has still not reached his full potential but this could be the year. Jackson Moi-- Senior (6-2, 310) from Oceanside, California-- Moi transferred to Knoxville from Stanford last summer and the staff originally had planned to redshirt him. However, he earned playing time with a hardnosed approach to hand-to-hand combat at the line of scrimmage. He has added strength and is expected to be a fixture inside ...