This week’s Volquest podcast covers the Tennessee Volunteers’ past, present, and future. The podcast’s hosts, Wes Rucker and Ryan Callahan, discuss the impact of the upcoming recruiting class on the Vols. They also discuss who to watch in the upcoming class. If you’re looking for an audio adventure, check out this Vols podcast. Featuring Vols volleyball experts, Ben McKee, Eric Cain, and more, Volquest is a must-listen for any true sports fan.
Kiffin’s Announcement
In the days before Kiffin’s announcement, the campus was a riot of students chanting “Kiffin is out!” In the wake of the news, reporters arrived to find hundreds of protesting students outside the football complex. Shory and Ford sparred in the boardroom and the crowd outside the football complex grew to hundreds. While Kiffin’s dismissal seemed like a sour note for the UT students, the team’s fans were ready to rally around Kiffin no matter what the cost.
It’s fall camp time, and Volquest is kicking off its podcast with Vols volleyball. Listen in on Saturday, when fall camp begins. In addition to Vols volleyball history, the podcast will also cover other topics related to the team. The first episode will cover Vols volleyball’s history, past and present. The Morbid podcast is another great choice for Vols fans. This true crime, spooky history podcast features hosts Ash, Chris Demarais, Gustavo Sorola, and Caleb.
Ty Simpson’s departure from Volquest
Tennessee was a coveted recruit since middle school, and Ty Simpson’s departure from Volquest is a blow to the Volunteers. He had spent four seasons at Southern California and had committed to Clemson, but after the pandemic, he decided to go to Volquest instead. This is unfortunate news for Volquest, but it’s not all bad. Recruiting Tennessee for multiple years paid off, and Ty’s sudden departure will leave the team with a lot of talent.
While the Vols are not likely to land a quarterback in the class of 2022, they are in a position to land one of the nation’s top targets. According to 247Sports, Simpson is the No. 3 pro-style passer in the nation. He is also a top 30 overall prospect in the 2022 recruiting cycle. But it is not just Tennessee that needs the quarterback. In-state rival Alabama is also a potential destination for the next two years of his career.
Jadyn Davis’ commitment to UT
At six feet tall, Jadyn Davis stands 185 pounds and plays basketball for Providence Day School. In her freshman year, Davis started the entire team, but was limited by a broken collarbone. Still, she has plenty of room to improve. Davis has garnered 23 scholarship offers, including from Alabama, Georgia, Notre Dame, Tennessee, and Florida State. However, the Vols are unable to provide the same CFP success pitch as some of the other programs.
The commitment to UT comes on the heels of his tweet about making the announcement on his Twitter account. According to 247Sports’ latest recruiting poll, the North Carolina native ranks as the No. 13 prospect in the nation. He is also ranked the No. 1 sophomore in the Tar Heel State. On3 Sports has him listed as the eighth best quarterback in the 2024 class. Although the announcement of his commitment to UT is exciting, the process is far from over.
Recruiting for the Vols
With the addition of Iamaleava, Tennessee’s recruiting class for the 2023 cycle appears set for a top-five finish. Fans have been disappointed in previous false alarms, but Heupel has yet to prove to them that the Vols are back in business. This recruitment cycle should be exciting for Vol fans, as this class has many high-profile commits. Here are some of the top prospects Tennessee has in its sights.
Despite the recent developments in the recruitment process, Tennessee still holds the lead over Oregon in the race for four-star RB Nico Iamaleava. While Tennessee has a 45.5% chance of landing the 6-foot-3 defender, the odds are based on a 60% prediction by On3’s Director of Recruiting, Chad Simmons. However, Oregon, Alabama, Georgia, and UCLA are also in the mix.
Tennessee Vols adding to class ahead of National Signing Day
The Tennessee Vols are in the thick of recruiting, and it looks like the 2022 class will be no exception. With one scholarship transfer already signed, Gerald Mincey from Florida enrolled as a mid-term enrollee last month, the Volunteers have a few good options to add to their class. While they’re lagging behind the competition, they’ve still been involved with a handful of prospects down the stretch. One addition is expected on National Signing Day, as players will sign National Letters of Intent at 7 a.m. local time on February 14th.
Final Words:
Today’s class of four-star recruits represents a major step forward for the Tennessee Vols. Wideman, who originally committed to Florida State in May, is expected to sign with Tennessee. The four-star prospect has a higher GPA than his 40-yard-dash time. The other three-star recruit is a 6-3, 195-pound defensive lineman named Tyre West. He could potentially be a difference-maker in the pass rush, and his basketball skills make him a good fit for Rick Barnes’ program.
