KNOXVILLE – In some respects, South Carolina coach Shane Beamer is a measuring stick for Tennessee coach Josh Heupel.

But Heupel enjoys an edge over Beamer thanks to Tennessee's 45-20 triumph over the Gamecocks in October. Now, the challenge is maintaining that upper hand after South Carolina added quarterback Spencer Rattler, a transfer from Oklahoma.

On this edition of "The Volunteer State," Blake Toppmeyer of the USA TODAY Network and the News Sentinel's John Adams and Adam Sparks review how Heupel and Beamer exceeded expectations in 2021.

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

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

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KNOXVILLE &ndash; In some respects, <a href="https://www.knoxnews.com/story/sports/college/university-of-tennessee/football/2021/10/06/tennessee-football-josh-heupel-vols-record-shane-beamer-south-carolina/6004752001/" data-cke-saved-href="https://www.knoxnews.com/story/sports/college/university-of-tennessee/football/2021/10/06/tennessee-football-josh-heupel-vols-record-shane-beamer-south-carolina/6004752001/">South Carolina coach Shane Beamer is a measuring stick for Tennessee coach Josh Heupel</a>.
But Heupel enjoys an edge over Beamer thanks to Tennessee's 45-20 triumph over the Gamecocks in October. Now, the challenge is maintaining that upper hand after South Carolina added quarterback Spencer Rattler, a transfer from Oklahoma.
On this edition of "<a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/sec-football-unfiltered/id1574375094" data-cke-saved-href="https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/sec-football-unfiltered/id1574375094">The Volunteer State</a>," <a href="https://twitter.com/btoppmeyer" data-cke-saved-href="https://twitter.com/btoppmeyer">Blake Toppmeyer</a> of the USA TODAY Network and the News Sentinel's <a href="https://twitter.com/johnadamskns" data-cke-saved-href="https://twitter.com/johnadamskns">John Adams</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/AdamSparks" data-cke-saved-href="https://twitter.com/AdamSparks">Adam Sparks</a> review how Heupel and Beamer exceeded expectations in 2021.
Stay connected on Twitter with Blake (@btoppmeyer) Adam (@AdamSparks) 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.

Why Josh Heupel's early measuring stick with Tennessee football remains Shane Beamer

Three Tennessee football players were selected in the NFL Draft last week.

Cause for celebration, or concern?

The four qualifying teams for last season’s College Football Playoff combined for 44 draft picks. 

That suggests that if Tennessee wants to go from competitive program to national championship program under Josh Heupel, he needs to start producing more NFL talent.

And yet, consider that Tennessee finished 9-4 despite not having a single player selected within the draft’s first three rounds. That speaks to Heupel’s coaching ability.

On today's episode, hosts Blake Toppmeyer, Adam Sparks and John Adams unpack Tennessee’s production in the draft and why they think Jaylen Wright will become UT's most productive NFL player from this draft class.

They also preview next year’s draft class, highlighted by edge rusher James Pierce, who profiles as a potential No. 1 overall pick.

And, they consider this question: Is Tennessee’s draft performance cause for concern?

 Stay connected on Twitter with Blake (@btoppmeyer) and John (@JohnAdamsKNS) and stay up to date on SEC football news by subscribing to KnoxNews: knoxnews.com/subscribe.

Three <a href="https://www.knoxnews.com/story/sports/college/university-of-tennessee/football/2024/04/25/tennessee-nfl-draft-picks-2024-undrafted-free-agents/73436509007/" aria-label="Link Tennessee football players were selected in the NFL Draft">Tennessee football players were selected in the NFL Draft</a> last week.
Cause for celebration, or concern?
The four qualifying teams for last season’s College Football Playoff combined for 44 draft picks. 
That suggests that if Tennessee wants to go from competitive program to national championship program under <a href="https://www.knoxnews.com/story/sports/college/university-of-tennessee/football/2024/05/01/cam-seldon-injury-update-tennessee-football-josh-heupel/73445158007/" aria-label="Link Josh Heupel">Josh Heupel</a>, he needs to start producing more NFL talent.
And yet, consider that Tennessee finished 9-4 despite not having a single player selected within the draft’s first three rounds. That speaks to Heupel’s coaching ability.
On today's episode, hosts <a href="https://twitter.com/btoppmeyer" aria-label="Link Blake Toppmeyer">Blake Toppmeyer</a>, Adam Sparks and John Adams unpack Tennessee’s production in the draft and why they think Jaylen Wright will become UT's most productive NFL player from this draft class.
They also <a href="https://www.knoxnews.com/story/sports/college/university-of-tennessee/football/2024/04/27/tennessee-football-nfl-draft-prospects-2025-roster/73444816007/" aria-label="Link preview next year’s draft class">preview next year’s draft class</a>, highlighted by edge rusher James Pierce, who profiles as a potential No. 1 overall pick.
And, they consider this question: Is Tennessee’s draft performance cause for concern?
 Stay connected on Twitter with Blake (@btoppmeyer) and John (@JohnAdamsKNS) and stay up to date on SEC football news by subscribing to KnoxNews: knoxnews.com/subscribe.

Why Josh Heupel does (or doesn't) need to produce more NFL Draft picks at Tennessee

Tennessee football can rest easy about its starting quarterback situation. Not only is Nico Iamaleava the starter, he's a star in the making. Iamaleava's tidy performance in Saturday's spring game reiterated that all is well with Tennessee's QB1.

Elsewhere on the roster, it's more of a mixed situation. The Vols face areas they could solidify entering this spring transfer portal window.

On today's episode, hosts Blake Toppmeyer and Adam Sparks review the spring game and address some lingering burning questions.

Which areas of the roster look like strengths? Where does Tennessee require reinforcements? Who's the backup quarterback, and should Tennessee trust him?

Let's dive in.

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 href="https://www.knoxnews.com/sports/govolsxtra/" aria-label="Link Tennessee football">Tennessee football</a> can rest easy about its starting quarterback situation. Not only is <a href="https://www.knoxnews.com/story/sports/college/university-of-tennessee/football/2024/04/16/nico-iamaleava-tennessee-football-quarterback-spring-game-mailbag/73272663007/" aria-label="Link Nico Iamaleava">Nico Iamaleava</a> the starter, he's a star in the making. Iamaleava's tidy performance in Saturday's spring game reiterated that all is well with Tennessee's QB1.
Elsewhere on the roster, it's more of a mixed situation. The Vols face areas they could solidify entering this <a href="https://www.knoxnews.com/story/sports/college/university-of-tennessee/football/2024/04/13/tennessee-football-transfer-portal-spring-2024-josh-heupel/73205004007/" aria-label="Link spring transfer portal window">spring transfer portal window</a>.
On today's episode, hosts <a href="https://twitter.com/btoppmeyer" aria-label="Link Blake Toppmeyer">Blake Toppmeyer</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/AdamSparks" aria-label="Link Adam Sparks">Adam Sparks</a> review <a href="https://www.knoxnews.com/story/sports/college/university-of-tennessee/football/2024/04/13/tennessee-football-nico-iamaleava-spring-game-orange-white-josh-heupel/72695908007/" aria-label="Link the spring game">the spring game</a> and address some lingering burning questions.
Which areas of the roster look like strengths? Where does Tennessee require reinforcements? Who's the backup quarterback, and should Tennessee trust him?
Let's dive in.
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

6 burning Tennessee football questions after spring game, as transfer portal opens

The Lady Vols are all in on Kim Caldwell's upside.

Tennessee athletic director Danny White didn't want to miss the boat on Caldwell or delay hiring a coach whose career is on an upward trajectory. Two years ago, Caldwell led Division II Glenville State to its first national championship. This season, her first as a Division I coach, she took Marshall to the NCAA Tournament.

Now, she coaches a blueblood. Caldwell's fast track matches her teams' high-octane style of play.

On today's episode, hosts Blake Toppmeyer, Cora Hall and John Adams review Caldwell's introductory presser, outline what success looks like in Year 1 and grade the hire.

The verdict: Not an 'A' hire, but a passing grade.

Stay connected on Twitter with Blake (@btoppmeyer) Adam (@AdamSparks) Cora (@corahalll) 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 <a href="https://www.knoxnews.com/story/sports/columnists/university-of-tennessee/john-adams/2024/04/09/kim-caldwell-lady-vols-basketball-coach-danny-white/73239676007/" aria-label="Link Lady Vols are all in on Kim Caldwell's upside.">Lady Vols are all in on Kim Caldwell's upside.</a>
Tennessee athletic director <a href="https://www.knoxnews.com/story/sports/college/university-of-tennessee/womens-sports/2024/04/09/danny-white-pat-summitt-lady-vols-basketball-coach-kim-caldwell/73238477007/" aria-label="Link Danny White">Danny White</a> didn't want to miss the boat on Caldwell or delay hiring a coach whose career is on an upward trajectory. Two years ago, Caldwell led Division II Glenville State to its first national championship. This season, her first as a Division I coach, she took Marshall to the NCAA Tournament.
Now, she coaches a blueblood. Caldwell's fast track matches her teams' high-octane style of play.
On today's episode, hosts <a href="https://twitter.com/btoppmeyer" aria-label="Link Blake Toppmeyer">Blake Toppmeyer</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/corahalll" aria-label="Link Cora Hall">Cora Hall</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/johnadamskns" aria-label="Link John Adams">John Adams</a> review Caldwell's introductory presser, outline what success looks like in Year 1 and grade the hire.
The verdict: Not an 'A' hire, but a passing grade.
Stay connected on Twitter with Blake (@btoppmeyer) Adam (@AdamSparks) Cora (@corahalll) 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

Why Josh Heupel's early measuring stick with Tennessee football remains Shane Beamer

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