Marker 01

The Tennessee Titans had a chance to keep Hendon Hooker within a state that fell in love with him but passed in favor of Will Levis. Still, the Titans' biggest mistake was their aversion to selecting wide receivers.

Meanwhile, Hooker went to the Detroit Lions in Round 3, highlighting a strong NFL Draft class for the Tennessee Vols.

On today's episode, hosts Blake Toppmeyer, Adam Sparks and John Adams react to five Vols getting selected within the draft's first three rounds. Only Alabama had more players go within the first 100 picks.

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 Tennessee Titans had a chance to keep <a href="https://www.knoxnews.com/story/sports/college/university-of-tennessee/football/2023/04/28/hendon-hooker-nfl-draft-2023-detroit-lions-tennessee-football/70121870007/" aria-label="Link Hendon Hooker">Hendon Hooker</a> within a state that fell in love with him but passed in favor of <a href="https://www.tennessean.com/story/sports/nfl/titans/2023/04/28/tennessee-titans-nfl-draft-grade-will-levis-second-round-2023/70165296007/" aria-label="Link Will Levis">Will Levis</a>. Still, the Titans' biggest mistake was their aversion to selecting wide receivers.
Meanwhile, Hooker went to the Detroit Lions in Round 3, highlighting a strong NFL Draft class for the Tennessee Vols.
On today's episode, hosts <a href="https://twitter.com/btoppmeyer" aria-label="Link Blake Toppmeyer">Blake Toppmeyer</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/AdamSparks" aria-label="Link Adam Sparks">Adam Sparks</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/johnadamskns" aria-label="Link John Adams">John Adams</a> react to five Vols getting selected within the draft's first three rounds. Only Alabama had more players go within the first 100 picks.
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 - <a href="https://www.facebook.com/GoVolsXtra/">https://www.facebook.com/GoVolsXtra/</a>
Subscribe to KnoxNews: knoxnews.com/subscribe

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. The Tennessean, Nashville Tennessee.

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. The Tennessean, Nashville Tennessee.

A Tennessee Vols podcast from the USA TODAY NETWORK - Tennessee.

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.

Takeaways from Tennessee Vols' good showing in the NFL Draft

Tennessee didn’t select Nico Iamaleava to be among its contingent at SEC media days, but that did little to contain the hype for the Vols’ ballyhooed redshirt freshman quarterback.

The Nico train is out of the station, and ESPN’s Greg McElroy jumped into the conductor’s seat this week when he predicted Iamaleava will be a Heisman Trophy finalist. That’s lofty praise for a guy with one career start, but Iamaleava oozes talent.

On today’s episode, hosts Blake Toppmeyer, Adam Sparks and John Adams outline Iamaleava’s path to becoming a Heisman finalist and predict whether he’ll be among those in New York City.

While no one expects Iamaleava to wilt, part of his Heisman candidacy will be hitched to Tennessee’s playoff status.

So, which side of the Heisman finalist cut does Iamaleava fall on? The hosts issue a split verdict.

Tennessee didn’t select Nico Iamaleava to be among its contingent at SEC media days, but that did little to contain the hype for the Vols’ ballyhooed redshirt freshman quarterback.
The Nico train is out of the station, and <a href="https://www.knoxnews.com/story/sports/college/university-of-tennessee/football/2024/07/17/nico-iamaleava-heisman-greg-mcelroy-tennessee-football-espn-sec-network/73705602007/" aria-label="Link ESPN’s Greg McElroy jumped into the conductor’s seat">ESPN’s Greg McElroy jumped into the conductor’s seat</a> this week when he predicted Iamaleava will be a Heisman Trophy finalist. That’s lofty praise for a guy with one career start, but Iamaleava oozes talent.
On today’s episode, hosts <a href="https://x.com/btoppmeyer" aria-label="Link Blake Toppmeyer">Blake Toppmeyer</a>, <a href="https://x.com/AdamSparks" aria-label="Link Adam Sparks">Adam Sparks</a> and <a href="https://x.com/johnadamskns" aria-label="Link John Adams">John Adams</a> outline Iamaleava’s path to becoming a Heisman finalist and predict whether he’ll be among those in New York City.
While no one expects Iamaleava to wilt, part of his Heisman candidacy will be hitched to Tennessee’s playoff status.
So, which side of the Heisman finalist cut does Iamaleava fall on? The hosts issue a split verdict.

Greg McElroy hypes Nico Iamaleava’s Heisman Trophy campaign. Is Tennessee quarterback deserving?

Should Tennessee expect a dose of disrespect when the media who cover the SEC vote next week to predict the conference's standings?

Probably a hint of it, at least.

Like the Vols, programs like Alabama and LSU offer a mixture of strengths and lingering questions, but Tennessee might struggle to keep up with those programs in the vote. History sways the vote, and Tennessee spent years swimming in mediocrity before Josh Heupel's arrival, while Alabama and LSU thrived.

On today's episode, Blake Toppmeyer, John Adams and Adam Sparks predict where Tennessee will be picked in the media's projected order of finish.

Their verdict: Tennessee will be picked No. 6. But, two of the hosts think the Vols should be picked higher than that.

Also in this episode, an explanation for why quarterback Nico Iamaleava did not make the cut to represent the Vols at media days in Dallas.

Should <a href="https://www.knoxnews.com/story/sports/college/university-of-tennessee/football/2024/07/08/nico-iamaleava-james-pearce-sec-media-days-2024-tennessee-football-cooper-mays-omari-thomas/74313051007/" aria-label="Link Tennessee">Tennessee</a> expect a dose of disrespect when the media who cover the SEC vote next week to predict the conference's standings?
Probably a hint of it, at least.
Like the Vols, programs like Alabama and LSU offer a mixture of strengths and lingering questions, but Tennessee might struggle to keep up with those programs in the vote. History sways the vote, and Tennessee spent years swimming in mediocrity before Josh Heupel's arrival, while Alabama and LSU thrived.
On today's episode, <a href="https://x.com/btoppmeyer" aria-label="Link Blake Toppmeyer">Blake Toppmeyer</a>, <a href="https://x.com/johnadamskns" aria-label="Link John Adams">John Adams</a> and <a href="https://x.com/AdamSparks" aria-label="Link Adam Sparks">Adam Sparks</a> predict where Tennessee will be picked in the media's projected order of finish.
Their verdict: Tennessee will be picked No. 6. But, two of the hosts think the Vols should be picked higher than that.
Also in this episode, <a href="https://www.knoxnews.com/story/sports/columnists/university-of-tennessee/john-adams/2024/07/08/tennessee-football-nico-iamaleava-sec-media-days-josh-heupel/74330925007/" aria-label="Link an explanation for why quarterback Nico Iamaleava did not make the cut">an explanation for why quarterback Nico Iamaleava did not make the cut</a> to represent the Vols at media days in Dallas.

Why Tennessee football should brace for disrespect at SEC media days

With one beard – and a lot of victories – Tony Vitello won the hearts of Vols fans.

Now, Tennessee baseball rules the sport, for the first time ever. Tennessee's championship drought is over.

When the Vols beat Texas A&M 6-5 in Game 3 of the College World Series finals on June 24, it marked Tennessee's first national championship in any sport since its women's indoor track and field team won the crown in 2009. That's a 15-year span without a title. How long will Tennessee go before winning its next title? Not that long.

On today's episode, hosts Blake Toppmeyer and John Adams revisit the baseball team's triumph in Omaha and debate which Tennessee team will be the next to win a national championship.

For this debate, the hosts consider four programs: football, men's and women's basketball and softball.

And the hosts agree that one program stands above the rest as being next in line.

With one beard – and a lot of victories – <a href="https://www.knoxnews.com/story/sports/columnists/university-of-tennessee/john-adams/2024/06/28/tony-vitello-tennessee-baseball-national-champions-mlb-draft/74240637007/">Tony Vitello</a> won the hearts of Vols fans.
Now, Tennessee baseball rules the sport, for the first time ever. Tennessee's championship drought is over.
When the <a href="https://www.knoxnews.com/story/sports/college/university-of-tennessee/other-sports/2024/07/02/tennessee-baseball-greg-vitello-tony-vitello-dad/74223194007/">Vols beat Texas A&amp;M 6-5 in Game 3 of the College World Series finals</a> on June 24, it marked Tennessee's first national championship in any sport since its women's indoor track and field team won the crown in 2009. That's a 15-year span without a title. How long will Tennessee go before winning its next title? Not that long.
On today's episode, hosts <a href="https://x.com/btoppmeyer">Blake Toppmeyer</a> and <a href="https://x.com/johnadamskns">John Adams</a> revisit the baseball team's triumph in Omaha and debate which Tennessee team will be the next to win a national championship.
For this debate, the hosts consider four programs: football, men's and women's basketball and softball.
And the hosts agree that one program stands above the rest as being next in line.

Takeaways from Tennessee Vols' good showing in the NFL Draft

In 1 playlist(s)

The Volunteer State

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips