The Volunteer State

Tennessee's transfers are capable contributors, and Nico Iamaleava has taken to being Joe Milton's understudy as he learns Josh Heupel's offense.

Those are among the observations that stand out after the Vols' first week of spring practice.

Practice will continue throughout the next few weeks, leading up to the April 15 spring game.

On today's episode, hosts Blake Toppmeyer, Adam Sparks and John Adams identify some key narratives emerging from Vols practice.

Stay connected on Twitter with Blake (@btoppmeyer) Adam (@AdamSparks) Mike (@ByMikeWilson) and John (@JohnAdamsKNS) and stay up to date on Vols sports news by following @GoVolsXtra. 

Connect on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/GoVolsXtra/

Subscribe to KnoxNews: knoxnews.com/subscribe

Tennessee men's basketball supplied a masterpiece of brutality in its NCAA Tournament second-round victory against Duke. That positions the Vols just one win away from their second Elite Eight in program history. 

Losses by 1-seed Purdue and 2-seed Marquette open this region, but that doesn't mean the Vols will breeze to the Final Four.

On today's episode, Blake Toppmeyer of the USA TODAY Network and the News Sentinel's Mike Wilson and John Adams assess the remaining hurdles in Tennessee's path.

Are you thinking about picking 13th-seeded Louisiana to upset No. 4 Tennessee basketball in the first round of the NCAA Tournament? CBS analysts Seth Davis and Clark Kellogg positioned the Vols as being vulnerable to an upset during Sunday's selection show.

Resist that urge. The Vols ought to be good for at least one win. What about two?

On today's "The Volunteer State," hosts Blake Toppmeyer, Mike Wilson and John Adams handicap Tennessee's chances for a prolonged stay in March Madness.

Stay connected on Twitter with Blake (@btoppmeyer) Adam (@AdamSparks) Mike (@ByMikeWilson) and John (@JohnAdamsKNS) and stay up to date on Vols sports news by following @GoVolsXtra. 

Connect on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/GoVolsXtra/

Subscribe to KnoxNews: knoxnews.com/subscribe

The Joe Milton vs. Nico Iamaleava quarterback battle is the easy narrative entering Tennessee's spring practice, but there are other pressing questions. Milton proved to be a viable heir to run the offense during the Orange Bowl. What about the Vols' defense? Any improvement on that front?

On today's episode, Blake Toppmeyer, Adam Sparks and John Adams consider some burning questions as the Vols approach spring practice, which will culminate in the spring game on April 15.

Stay connected on Twitter with Blake (@btoppmeyer) Adam (@AdamSparks) Mike (@ByMikeWilson) and John (@JohnAdamsKNS) and stay up to date on Vols sports news by following @GoVolsXtra. 

Connect on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/GoVolsXtra/

Subscribe to KnoxNews: knoxnews.com/subscribe

A little thing like a three-game suspension can't stop Tony Vitello or his Tennessee baseball team.

The Vols' lightning rod of a coach wasn't in the dugout for its sweep of Dayton, but while that slap on the wrist might point to Vitello being a marked man, it won't slow down his team's potential to reach the College World Series.

In a boost, highly touted transfer Maui Ahuna gained clearance to play this week. No. 3 Tennessee will host Gonzaga this weekend.

On today's episode, Blake Toppmeyer of the USA TODAY Network and the News Sentinel's John Adams discuss whether Vitello's program is a fun distraction or a legitimate candidate to produce Tennessee's next national championship.

Stay connected on Twitter with Blake (@btoppmeyer) Adam (@AdamSparks) Mike (@ByMikeWilson) and John (@JohnAdamsKNS) and stay up to date on Vols sports news by following @GoVolsXtra. 

Connect on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/GoVolsXtra/

Subscribe to KnoxNews: knoxnews.com/subscribe

How many times must Josh Heupel coach against his alma mater before that narrative grows stale? We're thinking one or two reunions ought to exhaust that storyline.

Tennessee and Oklahoma likely will meet once every two years after OU joins the SEC in 2024. Heupel once quarterbacked the Sooners to a national championship, but he was later fired from Bob Stoops' coaching staff.

On this edition of "The Volunteer State," Blake Toppmeyer of the USA TODAY Network and the News Sentinel's Adam Sparks unpack what Oklahoma and Texas entering the SEC in 2024 means for the Vols.

Stay connected on Twitter with Blake (@btoppmeyer) Adam (@AdamSparks) Mike (@ByMikeWilson) and John (@JohnAdamsKNS) and stay up to date on Vols sports news by following @GoVolsXtra. 

Connect on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/GoVolsXtra/

Subscribe to KnoxNews: knoxnews.com/subscribe

Nico Iamaleava is the nation’s top freshman prospect, and he may be the most-anticipated Tennessee Vols signee in many years. He's enrolled and will participate in spring practice. But should Tennessee fans expect Iamaleava to start as a freshman? Should they prefer he doesn’t?

On today's episode, hosts Blake Toppmeyer and Adam Sparks reassess the Milton-Iamaleava debate and explain why Milton retaining the reins may be most beneficial to the Vols and Iamaleava.

Peyton Manning, Casey Clausen and Erik Ainge each started as freshmen, but they endured growing pains. Giving Iamaleava the keys may result in this season becoming a rebuilding-year bridge into 2024.

An opening stretch of Virginia, Austin Peay, Florida and Texas-San Antonio provides Milton a runway for a blistering start. And Milton delivering a strong September wouldn’t be bad for Iamaleava, either. Milton playing well means keeping the pressure off of the freshman and allowing Iamaleava to grasp Heupel’s offense throughout the year while entering as a reserve in lopsided victories.

Milton playing well while Iamaleava earns seasoning as a backup sounds like the ideal win-win-win.

Also in this episode, we take a look at UT's 2023 recruiting class and Josh Heupel's new contract.

Stay connected on Twitter with Blake (@btoppmeyer) Adam (@AdamSparks) Mike (@ByMikeWilson) and John (@JohnAdamsKNS) and stay up to date on Vols sports news by following @GoVolsXtra. 

Connect on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/GoVolsXtra/

Subscribe to KnoxNews: knoxnews.com/subscribe

The transfer portal is closed to new entries until April 15, meaning Tennessee's spring football roster is mostly set.

So, how did the Vols do in accumulating transfers?

Tennessee lost 11 outbound transfers and added eight. Importantly, though, the Vols didn't lose many potential starters, while they may have gained a few. Tennessee's transfer class is ranked No. 30 nationally by 247Sports.

On this edition of "The Volunteer State," Blake Toppmeyer of the USA TODAY Network and the News Sentinel's Adam Sparks assess the Vols' transfer haul, and Sparks explains why he awards Tennessee a 'B' letter grade for its portal plundering.

Stay connected on Twitter with Blake (@btoppmeyer) Adam (@AdamSparks) Mike (@ByMikeWilson) and John (@JohnAdamsKNS) and stay up to date on Vols sports news by following @GoVolsXtra. 

Connect on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/GoVolsXtra/

Subscribe to KnoxNews: knoxnews.com/subscribe

Teams with the deepest quarterback competitions often are the weakest atop the depth chart. That's the reality in college football's landscape in which players may freely transfer without having to sit out a season. Transfers gravitate to schools without an obvious starter.

The rate of players transferring makes it challenging for teams to amass even three scholarship QBs. That's especially true in programs where clear talent tops the competition.

Viewed through that lens, it's an endorsement for Tennessee's 2023 season that quarterback Tayven Jackson transferred this month to Indiana rather than face the chance of being third on a depth chart that includes senior Joe Milton and five-star freshman Nico Iamaleava.

On today's episode, hosts Blake Toppmeyer, Adam Sparks and John Adams unpack Jackson's transfer and what it means for the Vols.

While Tennessee may encounter difficulty assembling a three-deep of quarterbacks, Jackson's exit says a lot about Milton and Iamaleava and the strength at the top of the depth chart – as long as both stay healthy, Tennessee should be in good hands. 

Stay connected on Twitter with Blake (@btoppmeyer) Adam (@AdamSparks) Mike (@ByMikeWilson) and John (@JohnAdamsKNS) and stay up to date on Vols sports news by following @GoVolsXtra. 

Connect on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/GoVolsXtra/

Subscribe to KnoxNews: knoxnews.com/subscribe

 If you were looking for a reason to be optimistic about Tennessee's 2023 football season, the Orange Bowl provided it. Joe Milton was no clone of Hendon Hooker, but he was plenty good. So were the wide receivers. And the defense successfully played bend but don't break.

The win against Clemson offered reason to believe Tennessee does not have to regress next season, even with the departure of Hendon Hooker and other stars from this 11-2 team.

On today's episode, hosts Blake Toppmeyer, Adam Sparks and John Adams discuss the Vols' staying power under Josh Heupel.

Clearly, the floor has been raised under Heupel. The Vols missed bowl qualification in 2017, '18 and '20. Don't expect such backsliding on Heupel's watch. In fact, keep the ceiling lofty.

Peek at Tennessee's schedule and consider the landscape of the SEC, and a case could be made for the Vols to make a New Year's Six bowl again in 2023.