First off, I want to apologize for the lack of summary posts the past week or so. I had some things going on in my personal life that prevented me from getting out these daily summaries. I know my thousands of readers (lol) are extremely disappointed, but I’m back to provide the Titans & Vols news of the day/week.
BaseVols Historic Run
Tennessee has cemented its place as a baseball powerhouse, clinching a spot in the Super Regionals for an unprecedented fifth straight year after an 11-5 victory over Wake Forest on Monday night. No other school has managed more than two consecutive Super Regional appearances, highlighting the Vols as the premier program in College Baseball.
The win against Wake Forest showcased the Vols’ talent, despite the 2025 season being considered a “down” year. Liam Doyle, pitching on just two days’ rest, came in for relief, striking out five batters in 2.1 hitless innings and breaking Tennessee’s single-season strikeout record. The offense popped off a seven-run fourth inning making the game essentially out of reach for the Demon Deacons. The victory sets the stage for a high-stakes three-game series in Arkansas, with a trip to the College World Series on the line. The seeding didn’t do Tennessee any favors with the Razorbacks being the highest ranked team remaining in the field of 16.
Since Tony Vitello took the helm, Tennessee has been nearly unstoppable in regional play, boasting a 17-3 record overall and a 12-1 mark at home. Since losing to North Carolina in 2019 in the Chapel Hill Regional, the Vols have been a juggernaut, with their only recent stumble being a 7-6 loss to Wake Forest on Sunday, snapping a 14-game regional win streak.
Zakai Zeigler Lawsuit
Zakai remains at the center of a legal battle that could reshape NCAA eligibility rules. Zeigler, coming off an incredible senior season where he set Tennessee’s all-time assists record (747) and led the Volunteers to a second consecutive Elite Eight appearance, is suing the NCAA for a fifth year of eligibility. His lawsuit, filed on May 20th, by Litson PLLC and Garza Law Firm, argues that the NCAA’s four-seasons-within-five-years rule is an unlawful restraint of trade under antitrust laws, limiting athletes’ earning potential through Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals. According to Spyre Sports Group, Tennessee’s NIL collective, a fifth season could be worth $2-4 million for Zeigler.
However, the NCAA is pushing back. In a motion filed Monday, the organization asked a federal judge to deny Zeigler’s injunction request, warning that granting a fifth year could lead to a flood of similar claims, potentially disrupting team rosters and reducing opportunities for incoming freshmen. Sportico reports the NCAA estimates 20-25% of roster spots could be lost to seniors extending their careers, arguing this harms “student-athletes who dream of being the next Zakai Zeigler.” Ironically, Tennessee’s 2025-26 roster still has an open scholarship spot if Zakai is able to return.
Zeigler’s legal team proposes a less restrictive alternative: allowing athletes who complete their undergraduate degree in four years to compete in a fifth season while pursuing graduate studies. They argue this aligns with the NCAA’s academic mission more than practices like redshirting. Zeigler’s case is unique as he’s among the first post-COVID class not automatically granted a fifth year, unlike athletes from 2016-2020 affected by the pandemic.
A hearing on Zeigler’s preliminary injunction is set for Friday in Knoxville before U.S. District Judge Katherine A. Crytzer. Depending on the outcome, this could potentially set a precdent reshaping how the NCAA balances academic and athletic opportunities with athletes’ earning potential in the NIL era. For Zeigler, it’s a chance to lead another reloaded Tennessee squad while pursuing a graduate degree—and millions in NIL earnings.
Numbers for Incoming BasketVols
Tennessee Basketball has announced jersey numbers for its eight newcomers for the 25-26 season.
Nate Ament - No. 10 -Leading the pack, a consensus five-star small forward and the highest-ranked recruit in Vols history, ranked No. 2 in the On3 Top 150. Ament is projected as a one-and-done lottery pick for the 2026 NBA Draft.
Ja’Kobi Gillespie - No. 0 - Brings proven scoring (14.7 PPG) and playmaking (4.8 APG) from Maryland. The highest-rated transfer player signed this offseason.
Amari Evans - No. 1 - A top-70 national recruit and second player committed in the class. He was the 7th best player out of the state of Georiga.
Clarence Massamba - No. 4 - A French guard, contributes international experience (9.8 PPG). A late add to the Vols class.
Dewayne Brown II - No. 6 - First commitment in the class and is Alabama’s top prospect and a top-10 center. Ranked 96th nationally.
Jaylen Carey - No. 23 - The 6-foot-8, 245-pound transfer forward from Vanderbilt offers size and versatility.
Amaree Abram - No. 77 - The Louisiana Tech transfer brings scoring (12.3 PPG). He shot 42.2% from the field, 37.3% from the 3-point line and averaged 32.1 minutes per game while starting all 32 games. Abram will be the first player in program history to wear jersey No. 77.
Troy Henderson -No. 24 - Three-star point guard from Virginia. No. 34 PG in the country. Henderson signed with Fordham in November, but was released after the Rams fired head coach Keith Urgo.
ESPN Football Power Index “Overvalues” Tennessee
Tennessee Football enters the 2025 season ranked No. 10 in ESPN’s Football Power Index (FPI), projecting a 9-3 record and a 38.5% chance to make the 12-team College Football Playoff. However, ESPN’s Mark Schlabach questions this optimism, labeling the Vols overvalued after a turbulent offseason. The departure of starting quarterback Nico Iamaleava to UCLA over an NIL dispute left a void, with former Appalachian State and UCLA quarterback Joey Aguilar stepping in. Aguilar’s 6,760 yards and 56 touchdowns in two seasons at App State are promising, but Schlabach warns his transition to the SEC’s intensity is a different beast.
The Vols also lost star running back Dylan Sampson and three top receivers, raising concerns about offensive cohesion. ESPN’s SP+ rankings place Tennessee’s offense at No. 34, though its defense comes in the Top 10 at No. 7. Despite these losses, the FPI gives Tennessee a 97.5% chance of at least six wins, a 4.2% chance to win the SEC, and a 2.3% chance for a national title.
Schlabach sees two paths: Aguilar could rally the team, leveraging Tennessee’s elite defense, or struggle to adapt, dragging the Vols down. Anonymous SEC coaches echo this skepticism, viewing 2025 as a potential rebuild year due to depth issues and a revamped roster. Yet, coach Josh Heupel’s track record and Tennessee’s 10-3 playoff season in 2024 suggests otherwise. With a tough schedule including Georgia, Alabama, and Oklahoma, the Vols’ success hinges on Aguilar’s integration and offensive line replacements.
I will cut Schlabach some slack. These are national writers that aren’t on the ground and constantly around Tennessee’s program. Yes, Tennessee lost Nico to the portal, but I would point out that the Vols had the success they did almost in spite of Nico, not because of him.
Tennessee did lose 4 of their 5 offensive line starters, but their projected starters for next year have talent. There are two 5-star tackles with Lance Heard at LT and David Sanders at RT. Transfer OG Wendell Moe was one of the top transfers in the portal this offseason and is penciled in at LG. 4-stars William Satterwhite & Sham Umarov in addition to Notre Dame transfer Sam Pendleton will battle it out for the remaining center & guard spots.
The WR core is young with a lack of experience, but again, it is a talented room. Mike Matthews, Braylon Staley, Travis Smith, and Radarious Jackson are all blue-chip players. Chris Brazzell was a 4-star transfer last year from Tulane who caught the game-winning pass against Alabama, and Boo Carter is slated to get snaps this year at receiver. His talent is apparent.
The loss of Dylan Sampson hurts, but Josh Heupel has run the ball effectively every season despite who lines up at running back. DeSean Bishop & Peyton Lewis ran the ball well last season, and Duke transfer Star Thomas joins the team.
The Top-10 defense from a year ago returns a significant portion. James Pearce was drafted in the first round of the NFL draft, but Tennessee has quality depth returning. Joshua Josephs is one of the top returning edge players in the conference. Rodney Garner & Coach Chop have players like Tyre West, Caleb Herring, Jordan Ross, Daevin Hobbs, Jaxon Moi, Bryson Eason, Isaiah Campbell, Mariyon Dye, and Dominic Bailey at their disposal. That is a healthy mix of returning players that were highly productive, and high 4 & 5 star players coming in from high school.
Linebacker returns Arion Carter, Jeremiah Tealander, Edwin Spillman, and adds one of the top LB classes in the country with Christian Gass, Jaedon Harmon, and Jadon Perlotte.
The defensive backfield returns four of their five starters, with former walk-on Will Brooks being the only departure. Jermod McCoy will be coming back from a torn ACL, but he is one of the best CBs in the country and a projected first-round pick. Ricky Gibson, Boo Carter, and Andre Turrentine all return.
So while it may look like Tennessee will take a significant step back this season to those in the national media due to the losses of Iamaleava, Sampson, Pearce, and the offensive line, Tennessee has quietly assembled a roster with talent everywhere. How far this team can go in the 2025 season looks to rest in the hands of whoever wins the starting QB job whether that be Joey Aguilar or Jake Merklinger.
Cam Ward Progress
The Tennessee Titans’ first-overall pick, Cam Ward, is already turning heads at Ascension Saint Thomas Sports Park. Arriving at 5 a.m. to study film and receive treatment, a habit he brings from his time at Miami, the rookie quarterback’s work ethic is apparent. During the Titans’ fifth OTA session on Tuesday, Ward showcased his talent, completing 23-of-38 passes in 7-on-7 and team drills with no interceptions, per Titans Insider reports. His tight-window throws and decision-making have impressed teammates like tackle JC Latham, who praised Ward’s accountability and high standards.
Coach Brian Callahan, while cautioning Ward about burnout given the NFL’s grueling season, is encouraged by his progress. Ward’s focus on mastering protections and reading complex defenses, especially on third-down blitz packages, highlights his obsession with detail. Receiver Calvin Ridley, whose locker neighbors Ward’s, lauded his “great arm” and fearless mentality, noting their off-field chemistry.
With the final OTA today and a three-day minicamp next week, Ward’s priority isn’t flashy plays but sustaining drives. “Practice only tells half the story,” Ward said, emphasizing first- and second-down efficiency to empower his playmakers. The Titans’ training camp in late July will test his mindset. As NFL.com notes, Ward’s ability could elevate Tennessee’s offense, ranked 27th in 2024. With a 9-8 season projected by ESPN’s FPI, Ward’s early strides signal a promising era for the Titans, provided he paces himself for the long haul.