The Volunteer State
The Volunteer State
The Volunteer State is a Tennessee Vols sports podcast covering sports topics from the University of Tennessee featuring The Knoxville News Sentinel's John Adams, Mike Wilson and Blake Toppmeyer.Social links:
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What is Tennessee’s plan after losing Ethan Davis?
Ethan Davis is out for the year with a torn ACL. Are the Vols jinxed or is this just part of the game? Adam Sparks and John Adams discuss Tennessee’s next steps on offense. Plus, they react to Faizon Brandon’s outing against Georgia Tech.
49:00
What we love about Faizon Brandon, Tennessee’s opening win
Adam Sparks and John Adams gladly overreact to Tennessee’s blowout win over Furman, including Faizon Brandon’s debut and other optimistic signs. Plus, they look ahead to the Vols’ game at Georgia Tech.
55:10
How much should Faizon Brandon, George MacIntyre play vs. Furman?
Adam Sparks and John Adams gauge expectations for Tennessee’s 2026 season. And they ask how much QBs Faizon Brandon and George MacIntyre should play against Furman.
53:13
Why Tennessee QB battle produced best possible outcome (so far)
Faizon Brandon or George MacIntyre? Adam Sparks and John Adams size up the stretch run of the QB competition and why this duo is better than they thought. Plus, a recruit reveals a hard truth about Tennessee’s long-term QB plan.
51:28
Why Tennessee football will be better – or worse – than we think
Is Tennessee’s schedule really that difficult? Would Josh Heupel’s offense actually miss a beat just because it has a young quarterback? Adam Sparks and John Adams challenge widely-held assumptions about the 2026 Vols with contrarian takes.
52:36Clean
5 Tennessee players (besides QBs) that intrigue us in camp
We can talk about QBs and five-star freshmen on another day. Instead, Adam Sparks and John Adams discuss five under-the-radar players that could impact Tennessee’s 2026 season as the Vols kick off preseason practice.
1:04:00Clean
DGG commits, Ohio State copes, media picks Tennessee QB
Ohio State copes with Tennessee getting 5-star David Gabriel Georges. SEC media quietly expect Faizon Brandon to win the Vols’ QB competition. And has Josh Heupel hedged on process of picking QB? Adam Sparks and John Adams discuss.
1:01:05
Peyton Manning favors Arch over Tennessee? Plus Chaz Coleman exit
Is it reasonable for Peyton Manning to root for his nephew, Texas QB Arch Manning, against Tennessee? Adam Sparks and John Adams discuss. Plus, George MacIntyre goes to Manning Passing Academy and Chaz Coleman leaves Vols.
52:51Clean
Unpacking Tennessee baseball season and Josh Elander’s reload
Did Tennessee baseball go into a minor slump in 2026? Or is this the reality in the post-Tony Vitello era? Adam Sparks and John Adams break down Josh Elander’s first season and where the program goes from here.
48:21Clean
Tennessee QB talk run amok, plus Josh Elander’s turnaround
Why has Faizon Brandon supposedly pulled ahead in Tennessee QB competition? Adam Sparks and John Adams separate fact from fiction. Plus, is it time to believe that Josh Elander can get Vols baseball back to Omaha, eventually?
52:17