Draft Scout Tennessee Player News, College Football: Tennessee

2024 CFB/2025-2028 NFL Draft Scout

- Draft Scout Front Page Draft Scout Top 12 NFL Prospect Teams for 2025 (Based on NFL Team Preseason Scouting Grades)

- #1 Oregon (17 players in Top 350 Overall) - #2 Michigan (14) - #3 Ohio State (14) - #4 Georgia (13) - #5 Texas (11) - #6 Notre Dame (11) - #7 Penn State (10) - #8 Iowa (10) - #9 Mississippi (9) - #10 Florida State (9) - #11 Virginia Tech (9) - #12 Miami (9) - 2024-2028 CFB 5* Star Recruits - 2024-2028 FBS/FCS Team Lists/Rosters - CFB's Best Player Names By Year/Position - Draft Scout Player Directory A-Z - Players by School/College List A-Z - End of 2023 Season Risers - End of 2023 Season Fallers - CFB Player News & Notes - Draft Scout Rokfin Football Channel - Draft Scout Weekly - Contact Draft Scout - Privacy Policy - Phil Steele/Draft Scout Player Rankings by Conference: -ACC- | -American Athletic- | -Big 12- | -Big Ten- | -Conference USA- | -Independent- | -Mid-American- | -Mountain West- | -Pac-12- | -SEC- | -Sun Belt-

2023 CFB/2024-2027 NFL Draft Scout

- Draft Scout Front Page - 2024 NFL Draft Tracker/Results - 2024 Pro Timing Days/Results - 2024 Pro Timing Day Risers by Position - 2024 Pro Timing Day Fallers by Position - 2024 NFL Combine - Josh Buchanan's 2024 Top 100 Small School Prospects - End of Season Risers - End of Season Fallers - 2024 NFL Draft Underclassmen - 2024 Senior Bowl - 2024 East-West Shrine - 2024 Hula Bowl - 2024 HBCU Legacy Bowl - 2023 CFB Bowl Games/Playoffs - CFB Player News & Notes 12/03 Final CFB Playoff Top 12
- #1 Michigan - #2 Washington - #3 Texas - #4 Alabama - #5 Florida State - #6 Georgia - #7 Ohio State - #8 Oregon - #9 Missouri - #10 Penn State - #11 Mississippi - #12 Oklahoma - 2023-2027 FBS/FCS Team Lists/Rosters - CFB's Best Player Names By Year/Position - Draft Scout Player Directory A-Z - Players by School/College List A-Z - Draft Scout Rokfin Football Channel - Draft Scout Weekly - Phil Steele/Draft Scout - Contact Draft Scout Player Rankings by Conference: -ACC- | -American Athletic- | -Big 12- | -Big Ten- | -Conference USA- | -Independent- | -Mid-American- | -Mountain West- | -Pac-12- | -SEC- | -Sun Belt-

NFL Draft Scout History

- 1997 Coach Bill Walsh Draft Insider (First/Early NFL Draft Scout) - 2023 NFL Draft Tracker/Results - 2023 Undrafted by Position - 2023 Pro Timing Days/Results - 2023 Pro Timing Day Risers by Position - Draft Scout Evolve: Player Rating Changes - 2023 NFL Combine - Draft Scout CFB Risers - Draft Scout CFB Fallers - 2023 NFL Draft Underclassmen - 2023-26 #1 Georgia Bulldogs - 2023-26 #3 TCU Horned Frogs - 2022-23 CFB Bowl Schedule - EA College Football Game Pushed Back to 2024 - CFB Schedule/Roster/News Links - CFB Player Injury News & Notes - CFB Injuries by Year/Position

2022 Draft Scout

- 2022 NFL Draft Tracker - 2022 Pro Timing Days/Results - 2022 Pro Timing Day Risers by Position - 2022 NFL Combine/Results - 2022 NFL Combine Risers by Position - 2022 NFL Draft Underclassmen - 2021 Draft Scout Top 100

Draft Scout by Conference

2023 Draft Scout Offense

2023 Draft Scout Defense

2022 Draft Scout Offense

2022 Draft Scout Defense

Draft Scout College Football Player News: Tennessee

Previous 15 Notes

Next 15 Notes

12/05/20 - Bru McCoy, rSr/2025, Tennessee + More +

First, it was a simple out route and a four-yard pickup on second down. Then, USC quarterback Kedon Slovis went back to one of his newer targets on an inside slant for 11 yards and the first down.' Two plays later, the big physical receiver ducked under a tackle and turned a short gain into 23 yards and an entry point in the red zone. It was a critical opening drive to the second half as USC attempted to build a two-possession lead over Utah, and on three out of four plays the Trojans went to redshirt freshman receiver Bru McCoy. In a position group filled with veterans and other young up-and-comers like himself, McCoy has established himself in the USC receiver hierarchy this year. Slovis and offensive coordinator Graham Harrell have trusted him to be the fourth man on the field, and he's shown up for those moments.

Like that drive against Utah, like his tipped touchdown reception in the wild comeback against Arizona State. "He's been kinda taking his role and just starring in it, whatever it is, if it's five plays, if it's 20 plays, if it's 30 plays, he just goes as hard as he can and he just tries to make plays," receivers coach Keary Colbert said Wednesday. "He's a very hardworking young man. Football means a lot to him." McCoy is fourth on USC in receptions (13) and receiving yards (142), behind last year's stalwarts Amon-Ra St. Brown, Drake London and Tyler Vaughns. - Orange County Register

rSr/2025

WR Bru McCoy, Tennessee
News Source: Orange County Register
Share/Comment: Here

12/04/20 - Chase McGrath, rSr/2023, Tennessee + More +

Chase McGrath came to USC as a preferred walk-on, determined to earn his place at his dream school. Now, after three seasons as the Trojans' primary placekicker and a handful of heroic kicks, McGrath has decided to leave the team. The redshirt junior kicker entered the NCAA transfer portal this week after losing his starting job to freshman Parker Lewis earlier this season. Few expected McGrath to be usurped after a strong 2019 season in which he made 14 of 17 field-goal attempts. But tendinitis in his knee and hip opened the door for Lewis in training camp, and the freshmen immediately took advantage. Lewis has hit six of his seven field-goal attempts, the most of any kicker in the Pac-12. His strong start made it unlikely that McGrath would win back his job when fully healthy, even after USC coach Clay Helton called him "one of the better kickers in the country" earlier this season. - Los Angeles Times

rSr/2023

K Chase McGrath, Tennessee
News Source: Los Angeles Times
Share/Comment: Here

11/26/20 - Joe Milton III, rSr/2024, Tennessee + More +

Michigan's top two coaches did their best to show public confidence in Joe Milton this week, even after the struggling quarterback was pulled from the game against Rutgers over the weekend. Jim Harbaugh, appearing on the "Inside Michigan Football" radio show Monday night, declined a second opportunity to name a starter for Saturday's upcoming game against Penn State (noon, ABC). Instead, Harbaugh used some of his time to defend Milton - who completed three of his four pass attempts, and even hit receiver Giles Jackson on a 31-yard completion early in the second quarter. "I thought he was playing good," Harbaugh said. "We hadn't gotten on the scoreboard yet and wanted to get Cade (McNamara) an opportunity - a shot at it - as well."

But it seemed like every drive came with trouble. Receiver Cornelius Johnson fumbled the football away after catching an 18-yard pass on Michigan's first drive of the game, then Milton failed to pick up the necessary yardage on a fourth-and-1 play on the next drive. The Wolverines went three-and-out on their third drive, then had to settle for a 49-yard field goal by Quinn Nordin (that he missed) after Giles Jackson failed to come up with a third-down catch down the left sideline. Milton was 5 of 12 for 89 yards before coming out of the game for McNamara, a redshirt freshman, with Michigan already trailing 17-0. "There was nothing that Joe did wrong, or wasn't doing well," Harbaugh said. "(We) had the idea of both of them playing. And Cade came in and he got pretty darn hot." - Ann Arbor News

rSr/2024

QB Joe Milton III, Tennessee
News Source: Ann Arbor News
Share/Comment: Here

11/21/20 - Joe Milton III, rSr/2024, Tennessee + More +

After a promising start to the season against Minnesota, Joe Milton has struggled in the three games since. While he still showed glimpses of his potential against Michigan State and Indiana, he looked uncomfortable against the Badgers and was pulled in the third quarter. Redshirt freshman Cade McNamara came in and was sensational on his first drive, completing all three passes for 74 yards and a score, but he connected on just one of his next four passes for no gain. Coach Jim Harbaugh said after Saturday's loss that the staff needs to evaluate "everything" within his program. Could that signal a possible change at quarterback? We'll see. - Ann Arbor News

rSr/2024

QB Joe Milton III, Tennessee
News Source: Ann Arbor News
Share/Comment: Here

11/14/20 - Brandon Kennedy, rSr/2021, Tennessee + More +

Alabama State running back Ezra Gray and Tennessee center Brandon Kennedy, a Wetumpka native and Alabama transfer, are among 12 finalists announced Thursday for the 2020 William V. Campbell Trophy, the so-called "Academic Heisman." As Campbell Trophy finalists, Gray and Kennedy both receive an $18,000 postgraduate scholarships and a place on the National Football Foundation's National Scholar-Athlete Class. The Campbell Trophy winner will be announced later this year and have his scholarship award increased to $25,000. Gray, a native of Lynn Haven, Fla., carries a 4.0 grade point average in Computer Information Systems. On the field, he led the Hornets in rushing in both 2018 and 2019 and is a two-time All-SWAC pick as a return specialist. Kennedy is working on a second master's degree at Tennessee after graduating from Alabama with an undergraduate degree in recreation and sports management in just three years. He played his first three seasons for the Crimson Tide before transferring to Tennessee, where he has started 19 consecutive games at center for the Volunteers. - Northwest Arkansas Times

rSr/2021

C Brandon Kennedy, Tennessee
News Source: Northwest Arkansas Times
Share/Comment: Here

11/09/20 - Bru McCoy, rSr/2025, Tennessee + More +

After two years of waiting marked by a mysterious illness and a winding transfer saga, Bru McCoy was due a break. As it turned out, in his long-awaited debut Saturday for USC, he'd get two. Both of which would be crucial in securing a 28-27 comeback victory over Arizona State. The redshirt freshman wideout caught only two passes for 19 yards before the Trojans faced a fourth-and-13 with fewer than three minutes remaining. McCoy wasn't even the target when quarterback Kedon Slovis uncorked a throw toward the left corner of the end zone, knowing a penalty flag for offside against Arizona State had already been thrown. The target of that throw, Amon-ra St. Brown, was blanketed by defenders. But he managed to tip the ball into the air. Nearby, McCoy was conveniently waiting. As the ball fluttered in the air, McCoy snagged it. Then, he threw his arms up in celebration.

"It felt great," McCoy said. "More than anything, just happy to be out there, happy to help the team get a big win. It's been a long time since I've been able to play a game, so there were a lot of jitters heading into the game." But those jitters were well behind him when, immediately after his touchdown catch, the freshman was among the Trojans sent to recover a desperation onside kick. McCoy had never practiced onside coverage before. When freshman kicker Parker Lewis delivered a perfect attempt on his first-ever try, McCoy thought he'd messed up his assignment. "I thought I could attack the ball," McCoy said. "I was kind of waiting for that big one up to jump up and go get it, but it stayed low. It kind of fell inside and I was staring at the ball the whole time." - Los Angeles Times

rSr/2025

WR Bru McCoy, Tennessee
News Source: Los Angeles Times
Share/Comment: Here

11/04/20 - Joe Milton III, rSr/2024, Tennessee + More +

Joe Milton didn't turn the ball over again and threw for 300 yards, but the poise he showed against the Golden Gophers wasn't there against MSU. The Wolverines were able to pick up chunk plays in Week 1 without Milton having to air it out downfield, but that wasn't the case versus the Spartans. Milton didn't look as comfortable in the pocket Saturday, which partly can be attributed to the pressure MSU was getting. But he also forced some throws that weren't there and, at times, was a little too quick to scramble when his first read wasn't open.

Overall, he completed just 32 of 51 attempts for zero touchdowns, while MSU's Rocky Lombardi threw for 323 yards and three scores on 17-of-32 passing. Milton did lead the team in rushing with 59 yards on 12 attempts, including picking up a hard-fought first down on a fourth-and-5 on Michigan's final drive. But overall, he was outplayed by Lombardi, by a lot. Michigan punted on eight of 12 possessions Saturday. - Ann Arbor News

rSr/2024

QB Joe Milton III, Tennessee
News Source: Ann Arbor News
Share/Comment: Here

11/03/20 - Bru McCoy, rSr/2025, Tennessee + More +

The redshirt freshman's journey to actually suiting up on a Saturday has been a long one. He enrolled at USC early out of Mater Dei High, then transferred to Texas later that month. But before the summer, McCoy had transferred back from Austin to Los Angeles. He never played in a game as a true freshman, though, because he did not apply for a waiver from the NCAA and because of a fever that kept him off the practice field until USC's bowl preparations. McCoy can finally play in 2020, and the hype around the former five-star recruit has been big during training camp. Coaches have raved about his play. Defensive backs have talked about what a tough cover he is in practice. There are a lot of bodies for USC at receiver, but as Drake London showed last year, a freshman can earn his spot in the rotation and then some. - Orange County Register

rSr/2025

WR Bru McCoy, Tennessee
News Source: Orange County Register
Share/Comment: Here

11/02/20 - Charles Campbell, rSr/2024, Tennessee + More +

NOV 2 BIG TEN SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Charles Campbell, Indiana, So., K, Jackson, Tenn./University School of Jackson,...Converted a career-best three field goals in a road win against Rutgers...Connected from 28, 31 and 42 yards in the contest...Successful on all four PAT attempts to total 13 points...Earns his first career Special Teams Player of the Week honor...Last Indiana Special Teams Player of the Week: Logan Justus (Sept. 2, 2019). - Big Ten football

rSr/2024

K Charles Campbell, Tennessee
News Source: Big Ten football
Share/Comment: Here

10/31/20 - Hendon Hooker, rSr/2023, Tennessee + More +

Hendon Hooker was perfect from the air and ran for three scores to lead Virginia Tech to a 42-35 victory over Louisville Saturday. The junior quarterback went 10-of-10 for 183 yards passing to supplement a rushing attack that garnered 283 yards for the Hokies (4-2, 4-2 Atlantic Coast Conference). He contributed 68 of those yards on the ground. About three hours before kickoff, Louisville (2-5, 1-5) announced nine players would be unavailable for undisclosed reasons. That included leading solo tackler Monty Montgomery, starting free safety Isaiah Hayes and three of the Cardinals top four defensive ends - Yaya Diaby, Tabarius Peterson and Dayna Kinnaird.

The Hokies, who entered Saturday with the nation's third-best rushing offense, came out rolling. They scored three touchdowns on their first four drives, all on Hooker runs, to build a 21-0 lead with 9:28 left in the first half. The Cardinals rallied, and a Javian Hawkins 90-yard scoring run to end the half cut the Hokies lead to just 21-14. The run by Hawkins, who finished with 129 yards on 17 carries, was the third-longest run in Louisville history and the longest since 1971. Virginia Tech would expand the lead on the opening drive of the second half with a Tre Turner 1-yard run capping a 63-yard, seven-play drive. The defense responded by getting a fourth down stop when Chamarri Conner picked off a Malik Cunningham pass at the Hokies 1. The Hokies' Khalil Herbert ran 21 times for 147 yards. His 24-yard TD run with 3:23 left made it 42-28. - Virginia Tech/AP College Football

rSr/2023

QB Hendon Hooker, Tennessee
News Source: Virginia Tech/AP College Football
Share/Comment: Here

10/28/20 - Joe Milton III, rSr/2024, Tennessee + More +

It was only one game, but consider Urban Meyer impressed. The retired former Ohio State head coach-turned college football analyst appeared on Big Ten Network Monday to recap Week 1 in the league, and he liked what Michigan was doing. The Wolverines nearly compiled 500 yards of total offense, never turned the football over and rolled to a 49-24 road win at Minnesota. "Boy, I went back and rewatched it - and I thought (Josh) Gattis did a heck of a job," Meyer told host Rick Pizzo. "That's a legitimate spread offense." Meyer, who once called Michigan's quarterback a "Cam Newton lookalike" for his strong arm, large frame and ability to run, said Joe Milton "has options" in the new offense. Four different running backs got carries on Saturday, while Milton (15-22, 225 yards, TD) completed at least one pass to nine different players. "He wasn't a real aggressive runner, a good runner, but I just think he's going to get better and better," Meyer said. "He is a giant athlete, and his ball comes out (quickly) from the release point." - Ann Arbor News

rSr/2024

QB Joe Milton III, Tennessee
News Source: Ann Arbor News
Share/Comment: Here

10/24/20 - Joe Milton III, rSr/2024, Tennessee + More +

Joe Milton accounted for two touchdowns in an unflappable debut at quarterback for No. 18 Michigan, and the Wolverines trampled No. 21 Minnesota with 258 rushing yards in a 49-24 victory Saturday night to open the virus-delayed season. Zach Charbonnet had a 70-yard scoring run in the first quarter to set the tone for Michigan's dominance on offense, one of five rushing touchdowns. Donovan Jeter followed by scoring on a 15-yard scoop of an airborne fumble forced by a blitzing Michael Barrett, one of five sacks by the Wolverines. Minnesota's Tanner Morgan passed for 188 yards and a touchdown, with two turnovers. Barrett added a 66-yard kickoff return to set up Milton's scoring pass to Ben Mason that capped a 21-point first quarter to spur the Wolverines to their 13th win in the last 15 conference openers.

They have not lost at Minnesota in the battle for the Little Brown Jug trophy since 1977. With the Wolverines leading 28-17 late in the second quarter, Gophers coach P.J. Fleck ordered a fake punt on fourth-and-4 at their own 31, an obvious sign of how overwhelmed their defense was throughout the game. Tight end Ko Kieft, who gave the Gophers a 7-0 lead with his touchdown catch, took the snap as the upback but was stuffed for a 2-yard loss. Hassan Haskins rushed six times for 82 yards and two touchdowns for the Wolverines, whose only obvious mistakes were on special teams - allowing a blocked punt in the first quarter and three missed field goals by Jake Moody. - Michigan/AP College Football

rSr/2024

QB Joe Milton III, Tennessee
News Source: Michigan/AP College Football
Share/Comment: Here

10/23/20 - Cade Mays, rSr/2022, Tennessee + More +

Cade Mays took about 30 seconds collecting his thoughts and carefully choosing his words Tuesday as he answered the question of why Georgia wasn't the right fit. "There were just things that were not really - I'm looking for the right word - things that just weren't like …," Mays said, before pausing to think. "It wasn't really for me, you know? So, I felt like I had to transfer, and so I did so, and now I'm happy with where I am." Mays, a junior offensive lineman, won a contentious transfer waiver process to gain eligibility to play for Tennessee this season after transferring from Georgia in January. Mays spoke with reporters Tuesday for the first time since his transfer.

As an intraconference transfer, Mays needed waivers from the NCAA and SEC to gain immediate eligibility and not have to sit out a season. Initially, the NCAA denied Mays' waiver. Then prominent Knoxville lawyer Gregory P. Isaacs took up Mays' case and ratcheted up the public campaign to get Mays cleared. Isaacs told Knox News in August that "because of a variety of factors, it was a toxic environment (at Georgia) that did not support Cade Mays' well-being as a student-athlete." Coach Jeremy Pruitt and teammates spoke out on Mays' behalf. The NCAA reconsidered and granted a waiver, and SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey, at recommendation from the conference's presidents and chancellors, issued blanket waivers to any intraconference transfer athletes looking to compete this year. - Knoxville News Sentinel

rSr/2022

OT Cade Mays, Tennessee
News Source: Knoxville News Sentinel
Share/Comment: Here

10/22/20 - Joe Milton III, rSr/2024, Tennessee + More +

Michigan defensive tackle Carlo Kemp knew back in 2018 when Joe Milton was a freshman quarterback that there was something different about the 6-foot-5, 243-pounder. And it was more than just Milton's cannon arm on display running the scout team that wowed him. Fast forward to this abbreviated Big Ten season that will begin Saturday when the Wolverines play at Minnesota, as Milton prepares to take over at quarterback. "(I thought), 'OK, this guy, right here, when it's his time, it'll be his time, and it will be very special,'" Kemp said Monday, referring to Milton. "Now he's grown up into his third year with the same guys he used to lead on the scout team. All of them have developed, gotten better, and he's gotten better himself.

"Seeing all that come to fruition is incredible. What we have at quarterback this year is a very special leader, a very special guy, and I'm very excited for him." Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh would not name official starters at any positions because of COVID-19 testing and the possibility that players could test positive and would have to sit. But with that in mind, he essentially said Monday that Milton is the starter with Cade McNamara not far behind as the backup. "He's shown a lot of great things," Harbaugh said of Milton. "Joe has been running with the ones. He's made a lot of strides, getting a lot of reps, as well as Cade McNamara, who has closed all gaps, as well. He's playing extremely well. Really good command of the offense, showing a real savviness and also a lot of talent." - Detroit News

rSr/2024

QB Joe Milton III, Tennessee
News Source: Detroit News
Share/Comment: Here

10/22/20 - Joe Milton III, rSr/2024, Tennessee + More +

Harbaugh cited daily testing of players as one reason for his reluctance to name a starter for Saturday's game, saying a positive test could derail any player's standing on the team. "Right up until game time," Harbaugh said. "Tough for me to say that definitely anybody is going to be starting. They have to test on Friday before we leave, to be able to make the trip, and they have to test negative on game day to be able to play." Even so, the 6-foot-5, 243-pound Milton remains the frontrunner for the job thanks to his large frame, experience in the system and his uniquely strong arm, something Harbaugh referenced on Monday.

The challenge this offseason was to get Milton, of Pahokee, Fla., to dial back some of that strength. Harbaugh says he put in the "necessary" and "appropriate" work to do that. "He really took to heart to throw passes with touch," Harbaugh said. "I think he made a lot of growth in that way (while) putting the appropriate elevation on the ball. He's really made it a catchable ball." Milton entered the offseason in what was billed as a three-man race for the starting job, with McNamara and redshirt junior Dylan McCaffrey. But McCaffrey has since opted not to play this season while he weighs a transfer, paving the way for Milton or McNamara to take the job. - Ann Arbor News

rSr/2024