Big Orange Report April 30, 2026

 

Production Over Retention

Tennessee men's basketball coach Rick Barnes is no spring chicken. He will turn 72 years old on July 17th of this year. But Barnes has proven that you actually can "teach an old dog new tricks." He confirmed that theory when he indicated that production over retention is the most important factor in leading a college basketball team in this chaotic world of NIL and the Portal. Instead of being stubborn and fighting today's environment like Clemson football coach Dabo Sweeney, Barnes has accepted the realities of the moment. Barnes has partnered with Athletic Director Danny White and some big money boosters to re-stock and reload the Big Orange Roster with what they hope will be difference makers that can get the team beyond the Elite Eight in the NCAA tournament next spring.

It certainly appears to be a team effort thus far as everyone involved, Danny White, the Administration, and boosters are pulling in the same direction. Obviously, the goal is clear, do our best to get Coach Barnes into a Final Four with a shot at a national title before he steps down as the coach at Tennessee.

There is no doubt that KIm Caldwell, the head coach of the Lady Vols, shares the thoughts and opinions of Barnes and White. Caldwell is putting the finishing touches on a  total roster rebuild in Knoxville adding veteran players blended with a sprinkling of younger ladies to construct a team that, at least on paper, appears to be an improvement over the departed players that suffered with selfish veterans and a vastly over rated freshman class.

In a little over two weeks, Caldwell and her staff have elevated the Lady Vols roster from one incoming freshman to near full strength with 13 players listed on the team's chart.

Over the weekend, Coach Caldwell added another point guard and an athletic wing to the stable. Both are coming off injuries but are expected to be fully recovered by the time pre-season practice gets underway in late summer. Jada Eads moves from Seton Hall to Knoxville after playing in 16 games before she was hurt. She had distributed 65 assists. As a freshman, Eads averaged 14 points, four rebounds and two steals per contest at Seton Hall. It is worth noting that Eads spent her high school career in very competitive environments in the state of Florida.

UT grabbed a potential prize when 6-1 wing Aaliyah Moore left Texas to join the Lady Vols. Moore was a top 50 prospect coming out of high school and missed this past season while rehabbing from knee surgery. In 2024-25, she started all 19 games before the injury, averaging 9.0 points and almost five rebounds per contest.

At this writing, Coach Barnes had added five players with an emphasis on shooting, a point he made clear in several interviews.

The trio of Terrence Hill, Dai Dai Ames and Tyler Lundblade drained a total of 252 three pointers this past season, but Barnes believes all three can score at every level on the floor. Hill played two games in the NCAA tournament with VCU and poured in 51 total points.

The Vols are still seeking one more big man after adding 6-10 Miles Rubin from Loyola of Chicago. The low post rim protector has 237 total blocked shots during his college career.

NFL Draft Picks from Tennessee

The 2026 NFL draft extravaganza in Pittsburgh was, quite honestly, a bit disappointing for Tennessee. No former Vol was taken in the first round, only one in the second and one in the third. Cornerback Jermod McCoy, who was projected by some to go in the first round, fell all the way to the first pick in the fourth round. Lingering questions about McCoy's knee probably caused him to drop in the draft. Seven ex-Volunteers signed free agent contract including quarterback Joey Aguilar (Jacksonville) and defensive back Jalen McMurray (Titans).

Cornerback Colton Hood was the first Tennessee departure selected, going to the New York Giants with the 37th overall pick. Receiver Chris Brazzell, Jr. was taken at No. 83 by the Carolina Panthers. Edge rusher Josh Josephs remained on the board till the 5th round when he was selected by Washington and defensive lineman Tyre West was picked by Detroit in the seventh round.

One player that was not drafted was surprising. Tight end Miles Kitselmann was a productive player for two seasons on Rocky Top.

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