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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

(DS#12 C) rSr/2021

C Brandon Kennedy, Tennessee
News Source: Northwest Arkansas Times
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11/09/20 - Bru McCoy, rSr/2025, Tennessee, 6-3, 209 (DS#20 WR) + 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

(DS#20 WR) rSr/2025

WR Bru McCoy, Tennessee
News Source: Los Angeles Times
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11/04/20 - Joe Milton III, rSr/2024, Tennessee, 6-5, 235 (DS#9 QB) + 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

(DS#9 QB) rSr/2024

QB Joe Milton III, Tennessee
News Source: Ann Arbor News
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11/03/20 - Bru McCoy, rSr/2025, Tennessee, 6-3, 209 (DS#20 WR) + 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

(DS#20 WR) rSr/2025

WR Bru McCoy, Tennessee
News Source: Orange County Register
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11/02/20 - Charles Campbell, rSr/2024, Tennessee, 5-07, 181 (DS#16 K) + 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

(DS#16 K) rSr/2024

K Charles Campbell, Tennessee
News Source: Big Ten football
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10/31/20 - Hendon Hooker, rSr/2023, Tennessee, 6-3, 217 (DS#5 QB) + 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

(DS#5 QB) rSr/2023

QB Hendon Hooker, Tennessee
News Source: Virginia Tech/AP College Football
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10/28/20 - Joe Milton III, rSr/2024, Tennessee, 6-5, 235 (DS#9 QB) + 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

(DS#9 QB) rSr/2024

QB Joe Milton III, Tennessee
News Source: Ann Arbor News
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10/24/20 - Joe Milton III, rSr/2024, Tennessee, 6-5, 235 (DS#9 QB) + 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

(DS#9 QB) rSr/2024

QB Joe Milton III, Tennessee
News Source: Michigan/AP College Football
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10/23/20 - Cade Mays, rSr/2022, Tennessee, 6-5, 311 (DS#24 OT) + 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

(DS#24 OT) rSr/2022

OT Cade Mays, Tennessee
News Source: Knoxville News Sentinel
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10/22/20 - Joe Milton III, rSr/2024, Tennessee, 6-5, 235 (DS#9 QB) + 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

(DS#9 QB) rSr/2024

QB Joe Milton III, Tennessee
News Source: Detroit News
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10/22/20 - Joe Milton III, rSr/2024, Tennessee, 6-5, 235 (DS#9 QB) + 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

(DS#9 QB) rSr/2024

QB Joe Milton III, Tennessee
News Source: Ann Arbor News
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10/17/20 - Hendon Hooker, rSr/2023, Tennessee, 6-3, 217 (DS#5 QB) + More +

Hendon Hooker ran for a career-high 164 yards and three touchdowns and threw for a score in Virginia Tech's victory over Boston College. Khalil Herbert added 143 yards rushing for the Hokies (3-1, 3-1 Atlantic Coast Conference). They ran for 350 yards in bouncing back from a road loss to North Carolina. Virginia Tech scored off of four of BC's five turnovers to pull away. The Eagles (3-2, 2-2) turned it over three times in the first half alone, with the most damaging coming when quarterback Phil Jurkovec overthrew an open Jaelen Gill deep in Virginia Tech territory. Devin Taylor intercepted the pass for the Hokies, and Hooker's 29-yard touchdown pass to Herbert made it 17-7. Boston College cut it to 17-14 on a touchdown pass from Jurkovec to Hunter Long with 7:11 left in the third quarter, but the Hokies scored the final 24 points – 17 of those off BC turnovers. - Virginia Tech/AP College Football

(DS#5 QB) rSr/2023

QB Hendon Hooker, Tennessee
News Source: Virginia Tech/AP College Football
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10/17/20 - Joe Milton III, rSr/2024, Tennessee, 6-5, 235 (DS#9 QB) + More +

There's a lot to like about Milton. After reviewing film, he's sold me on his ability to escape the pocket and pick up yards as needed. His big, bulky frame makes him difficult to tackle, giving Michigan an upgrade in that department. But his arm remains the wildcard here. It's stronger than anything Michigan has seen in a long, long time, perhaps ever. Milton can throw the deep ball, but is going to need to take some zip off his short and intermediate throws to avoid turnovers. I can see why folks are so excited about him. To help the make the jump this season, Milton is going to need protection up front and receivers that can get open. He's also lost his primary deep-ball threat in Nico Collins. - Ann Arbor News

(DS#9 QB) rSr/2024

QB Joe Milton III, Tennessee
News Source: Ann Arbor News
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10/17/20 - J.J. Peterson, rJr/2023, Tennessee, 6-1, 225 (DS#999 OLB) + More +

Tennessee linebacker J.J. Peterson, the highest-ranked recruit in coach Jeremy Pruitt's first signing class, is taking a few weeks away from the program, and his future with the Vols is unclear. Peterson has not appeared in any games this year, and his development in the program has been slow since signing as a four-star prospect in the 2018 recruiting class. Peterson has "not been with us for a couple of weeks," Pruitt said. "It's something that J.J. wanted to do, and me and him talked and had a really good talk about it. So, that will be between me and him," Pruitt said Wednesday night. As for whether Peterson will rejoin the Vols as an active member of the squad, Pruitt said, "We'll see." The 6-foot-2, 225-pound sophomore remains on Tennessee's online roster, and Peterson is not in the NCAA transfer portal, a team spokesman confirmed. - Knoxville News Sentinel

(DS#999 OLB) rJr/2023

OLB J.J. Peterson, Tennessee
News Source: Knoxville News Sentinel
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10/15/20 - Josh Palmer, Sr/2021, Tennessee, 6-1, 210 (DS#51 WR) + More +

The 6-foot-2, 210-pound Tennessee wide receiver made an acrobatic touchdown catch last season to help the Volunteers rally from 13-3 down at halftime to beat Kentucky. A Brampton, Ontario, Canada, product, Palmer (14 catches for 227 yards and three touchdowns) caught two TDs in last week's 44-21 loss at Georgia. - Herald Leader

(DS#51 WR) Sr/2021

WR Josh Palmer, Tennessee
News Source: Herald Leader
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