GREAT DEAL; Tennessee volunteers has promised today to announce when the head coach will resume full for…
Some recent coaching news could mean the Tennessee Vols are now the team to beat for a 2025 four-star recruit from Atlanta.
247Sports’ Anna Adams noted on Monday that Tennessee and Georgia “have probably led the pack” for 2025 four-star wide receiver Travis Smith.
But the recent news that Georgia wide receivers coach Bryan McClendon is leaving Athens to become the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ new wide receivers coach means that Smith will have to build a relationship with a new Bulldogs wide receivers Coach.
BMac, man, that hit home for me. Straight to the heart, because me and BMac had a great relationship. It’s hard to see him go,” said Smith to Rivals.com of McClendon’s departure.
“Relationships are key to me,” added Smith. “So whenever they do get that receiver coach, I will need to build my relationship a little more on him so I can actually have a great feel and comfortability with the whole program once again.
That news seemingly moves Tennessee to the front of Smith’s recruitment by default, though Georgia will obviously continue to be a major factor in this battle.
Still, the departure of McClendon certainly helps in Tennessee’s pursuit of Smith.
Smith, 6-foot-4/191 lbs, is rated in 247Sports’ composite rankings as the No. 25 wide receiver in the nation and the No. 27 player in the state of Georgia.
The talented wide receiver visited Tennessee twice last season (for the Vols’ games against Texas A&M and Georgia). He’s expected to visit Knoxville again in the spring.
Famous football coach Bear Byrant coined the phrase “defenses with championships.” No sentiment more clearly describes the No. 11 2023 Tennessee Volunteers football team, whose defense was the team’s undoing last season despite the Vols tenth-ranked offense. The Tennessee Vols finished the 2022 season 11-2, but the team relied on its high-scoring offense when their defense couldn’t hold the line.
A season later, the Vols offense currently ranks 9th in the coaches poll. Defense, however, shines — ranking third in success rate, fourth in sack rate and fourteenth in havoc rate. If the Florida Gators (1-1) want to upset the Vols, Gators QB Graham Mertz is going to need to evade the mighty Vols defense. Judging by the Vols 2-0 season start, that upset won’t be easy.
There’s no question the Florida Gators vs. Tennessee Volunteers game is the matchup of NCAA’s Week 3. We can’t wait to watch.
Head coach Josh Heupel of the Tennessee Volunteers argues a call during the game against the Missouri Tigers at Neyland Stadium on November 12, 2022 in Knoxville, Tennessee. The Tennessee Volunteers won the game .
The Tennessee Volunteers face the Florida Gators on Saturday, Sept. 16 at 7:00 p.m. ET (4:00 p.m. PT). You can watch it on ESPN.
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