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UTPD, FBI investigating campus threat hoax
CADEN DYER Editor-in-Chief
ANSLEY GRAVES Managing Editor
The University of Tennessee was caught in the latest round of hoax active threat reports on Monday, part of a wave of false alarms that have appeared across the United States’s universities since Aug. 21.
Around 1 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 25, Knoxville police received a call of an individual carrying a weapon at Hodges Library on UT’s campus.
University police as well as Knoxville police responded to the call and arrived on scene within minutes. Police found no threat and no injuries were reported.
“It was clear the whole time that this was a hoax,” UTPD told the Beacon, additionally noting they are now working alongside the FBI to investigate the call.
Students, staff and faculty did not receive notifications via the UT Alert system.
“We have a robust camera system on campus, and UTPD was able to look at video in and around the library immediately and in real time,” Public Information Officer Ryan Moore told the Beacon.
The hoax phone call comes after several other universities recently received false reports of weapons or active shooters on campuses across the United States, including the University of Tennessee Chattanooga, the University of Arkansas, Iowa State University, Villanova
University, University of Colorado Boulder, the University of South Carolina, and the University of Kentucky.
Sophia Bernard, a sophomore studying public affairs, was sitting on the second floor of Hodges Library when she read a group chat text from a friend who said he had been asked by police to leave Hodges. Puzzled, she looked around and realized there were indeed officers inside the library, “obviously looking for someone.”
“I was confused and kind of nervous because you know, you see this on the news all the time,” Bernard said.
Meanwhile, sophomore Joshua Malloy was on the third floor of Hodges when he decided to leave
Mental health resources
SAMANTHA
WHITLEY
Mental Health Reporter
Following recent university campus threats, students may experience added stress and concerns for their safety.
To help with any anxiety that could stem from these false alarms, UT students can check out the following resources.
Local, national hotlines
Student Life lists the UT Police Department number as 865-974-3111. Students can also
access a suicide lifeline at 988 by calling, texting or chatting, offering flexibility.
Other contacts include texting HOME to crisis text line 741741, texting 865-584-4424 for the Contact Care Line, 988 for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline or 865-974-3111 for the UT Police Department emergency line.
Student Counseling Center
The Student Counseling Center (SCC) serves as a safe space for students to find mental health resources such
due to issues with the internet.
As he was descending the stairs between the second and first floor of Hodges, he saw police officers who were carrying guns entering the building telling people to get out.
“(I) kind of started panicking, you know, you kind of try to hurry out, it was pretty scary,”
Malloy said.
Back on the third floor, Bernard stayed behind for a few minutes to watch the police activity inside the library, but when she saw other students beginning to exit the building, decided to follow suit and made her way downstairs to the first floor. On her way out of Hodges, she spoke with a police officer who was by the door waving students out,
and was told they had received a call about someone with a gun.
“So I’m like, OK, that’s all I need to know for me to leave,” Bernard said.
“I was having a pretty good day today until that happened. … It makes me kind of think about if it actually was real, someone could have lost their life.”
Malloy waited outside of Hodges for 20-30 minutes, waiting to hear back from friends he knew were still inside. “It was pretty scary, especially with people still being in there and them not being particularly responsive. … Honestly, I just left campus after I found out they were out.”
as group, intervention and individual therapy. To schedule an appointment, please call the SCC at 865-974-2196. After contacting the office, the provider will assist you in setting up a triage appointment. SCC’s services can be applied to a variety of situations, including mental health emergencies or smaller interventions.
Center for Care and Resilience
Similar to the SCC, the Center for Care and Resilience is another mental health resource
that allows students to make referrals and specializes in addressing academic-related stress. Knowing when to make a referral can be crucial — noticing alterations in behavior, such as concerning alcohol or drug use, a shift in mood or other risk-taking activities. Part of their services includes connecting students with available opportunities that UT has to offer, allowing students to empower themselves along their journey. The CCR’s contact number is 865-974-HELP (4357) or you can submit a form online.
A member of UTPD stands outside Hodges Library on Aug. 25, 2025. Jackson Claver / The Daily Beacon
Letter from the Sports Editor: Gratitude in the grind
TREVOR MCGEE Sports Editor
At many points in the 2025 spring semester, I found myself dreading the days when I barely had time to think. In the few instances I left campus, it was often as a result of working.
I calculated a stretch in May where I covered 18 in-person events in the span of 15 days. Some would call it sicko activity.
But for me, it was just another day in the office.
I chronicled the first-ever SEC rowing championship, and meandered my way to ballparks of the high school and Division III levels. I took my usual seat at Lindsey Nelson Stadium on other days and continued my coverage of SEC baseball.
As Tennessee baseball was in the midst of a Saturday game against
Auburn, I left my seat and trekked across the way to Tom Black Track at LaPorte Stadium to get some words with track coach Duane Ross. Shortly after, I made my way back to the diamond so I could finish up that baseball game.
Just another day.
May ended, but the responsibilities didn’t. Temporary bed surfing had me living out of a suitcase in places that were not my own. I bounced from an apartment couch to a gracious bedroom, paired with the luxury of hotel rooms on travel occasions.
In a span of three weeks, I traveled to Hoover, Alabama, for the SEC Baseball Tournament, back to Knoxville to watch the Lady Vols softball team clinch their ninth Women’s College World Series appearance, and then boarded a flight to Oklahoma City to journal the event.
After finally getting to spend two nights at home, it was right back into a car and driving eight hours to Fayetteville, Arkansas, to finish baseball coverage.
Sleep was unforeseen. But it was just another day.
I often found myself asking photographer David Smith how we ended up here. From one city to the next, busy-ness in the land that many dream of is what keeps me going.
As I had time to reflect this summer, the busy-ness finally slowed. I felt lost in many ways. What do you mean by free time? Should I not be doing something right now? In this profession, I have developed an appreciation for constantly having something to do.
It keeps me on my toes.
I’ve learned to be grateful for the constant motion — for the opportunity to witness, to listen and to tell these stories. This fall, Alex Sarkis and I will be back on the road, traveling SEC country to bring you the moments, the people and the games that shape Tennessee athletics.
Thanks for following along.
Letter from the Asst. Sports Editor: Living the dream
SARKIS Assistant Sports Editor
Allow me to present one of my favorite quotes to get this thing started.
“The best navigators are not quite sure where they’re going until they get there.”
Yes, that quote does come from a Jimmy Buffett song, definitely an uncommon artist for a 21-year-old to be drawing from. Nevertheless, I think it applies to my story pretty well.
I’m Alex Sarkis, and I’ll be manning the role of assistant sports editor for the first time as the new school year rolls around. I’ll be honest, I didn’t grow up in SEC country. I call Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, my home. I have an unwavering love for all of our Steel
City sports teams, but my love/hate relationship with the Pirates is without a doubt the strongest. That’s a rant for another day. I was raised a die-hard West Virginia fan, basking in the days of electric offenses led by Geno Smith and Tavon Austin.
“So why is this kid at Tennessee?” you’re likely asking yourself.
I had no concrete idea of where I wanted to go to college during my search. I didn’t know what I wanted to major in or what part of the country I wanted to be in. There was only one thing I was certain about.
I needed sports.
I spent my entire life before Tennessee as an athlete, playing hockey and baseball through high school. Both of my younger brothers have done the same, creating an ultra-competitive atmosphere in our house that we couldn’t enjoy more.
Enter the 2022 college football season. My application to Tennessee was in, so my dad and I decided to drive down to check out how the gameday vibe was in the SEC. We waddled our way through the cramped and dingy concourses of Neyland Stadium towards our seats as the Vols and Florida Gators went through
their usual warmup routines on the field. We watched as the checkerboard pattern began to fill in as the remaining fans took to their coordinated sections. The Pride of the Southland Band blasted Rocky Top what sounded like 50 times. Four quarters later, I knew exactly where I wanted to go to school.
Let’s fast forward a year. I was sitting in one of the introductory journalism courses, a class I signed up for partly inspired by my mom, who spent her career as a news anchor. I still had no clue what career I wanted to pursue.
Cue The Daily Beacon.
As I sat in the back of a 200-person lecture hall, I listened to the sports editor explain what seemed like unbelievable writing opportunities. It sounded too good to be true. I never thought I would have the chance to sit in the Neyland press box or sit within media row at March Madness. A few days later, I wrote my first-ever article and got to see my work in the paper.
Now, I’ve done nearly all of the things I once heard about in that journalism class. I’m suiting up for my first season on the Tennessee football beat, and I couldn’t be more pumped for the ride.
I think it’s safe to say that this navigator has reached his destination.
ALEX
Trevor McGee stands on the field at Devon Park during the 2025 Women’s College World Series in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. David Smith / The Daily Beacon
Dylan Sampson (6) scores a touchdown during a game against Florida at Neyland Stadium. Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024. Cambree Gliessner / The Daily Beacon
Who is Joey Aguilar? Journeyman quarterback set to start for Tennessee football
Contributor
The big, looming question that has been hanging over the Tennessee football program was finally answered. Josh Heupel named a starting quarterback on Sunday, Aug. 17, two weeks before kickoff.
With Joey Aguilar being named the starting quarterback, things are closer to settling in, as some anticipation has been eased. However, fans are still anxious to see how he performs at Neyland Stadium, alongside other SEC environments, so now everyone turns their heads to the new wave of possibilities that arise from the newcomer in his fifth year of college football.
“Joey, through the course of training camp each and every day, continued to grow and take steps and understand what we’re doing and comfort level,” Heupel said. “Played well in the scrimmages, had good command and that ultimately led to the decision that we made.”
The Antioch, California, native attended Freedom High School, totaling 3,074 yards with 32 passing touchdowns in his senior season. This performance led to his first steps in his college football career, as he walked on at City College of San Francisco, where he never played a snap after COVID-19 canceled the season. After contemplating moving on from football, Aguilar chose to stick with it, which opened an opportunity at Diablo Valley Community College, a mere 30-minute drive from his alma mater.
In two seasons with the Vikings, he threw for 2,992 yards with a 60.2% completion percentage. Progressing through junior college, Appalachian State took notice of his capabilities and signed Aguilar to begin his junior year.
He began the season as backup quarterback to Ryan Burger, but an injury in Week One vaulted Aguilar to the field, and he took the reins from there. In his
two years as a Mountaineer, he earned accolades as Sun Belt Conference Newcomer of the Year, all-conference second team and preseason offensive player of the year. He broke school records for single-season touchdown passes and passing yardage in his first year, while tallying six singleseason records during his short tenure. His 6,760 passing yards and 56 touchdowns rank fifth all-time in Appalachian State history.
Aguilar entered the transfer portal after his senior season, landing at UCLA in December 2024. He only spent spring practice with the Bruins before he heard news of Nico Iamaleava’s transfer. While he initially planned to stay and compete for a starting role in his last year of eligibility, he was urged to enter the portal — eventually landing on the Vols, making him the first graduate quarterback at Tennessee since Hendon Hooker.
He arrived in Knoxville in mid-May,
quickly instilling the playbook. After nearly three weeks of fall training camp and two scrimmages to earn game-like reps, Aguilar earned the job.
“I was super excited,” Aguilar said. “Coming out here and being the starting quarterback push of this program is nothing but excitement. And that’s all I can say. I’m just super excited.”
The job was not handed to him, though. He entered a competing room while battling with younger alternatives for the starting position. George MacIntyre, a four-star freshman and Tennessee native, was a highly anticipated player coming into the season.
Jake Merklinger, a redshirt freshman from Savannah, Georgia, will have the chance to progress with a season already under his belt. He only threw nine passes across two games, but the experience has allowed him to settle into the team, which should be to his benefit moving forward.
How these 3 games will make or break Tennessee football’s
ALEX SARKIS
Assistant Sports Editor
There’s no doubt that every game on an SEC schedule must be treated with an equal level of importance.
Josh Heupel will have to improve on his 6-9 road record in the SEC, one of the few but prevalent criticisms of the fifthyear Vols headman.
October 18, 2025 MADY RICHARDS
While the message inside the locker room will almost always keep the focus to a week-to-week basis, a trio of matchups stand out when it comes to an outward view of how the journey of the upcoming campaign will play out. If Tennessee wants to find itself back in contention for a College Football Playoff bid, head coach
An early-season battle with Georgia, followed by away bouts with Alabama and Florida, set the stage for one of the more unpredictable slates in the Vols’ recent history. The stakes remain just the same.
Here are the three games, ranked in order of importance.
Tennessee vs. Georgia
September 13, 2025
In the last three seasons, the Georgia Bulldogs have been the only team able to conquer the fortress that is Neyland Stadium.
Although this season’s Bulldogs squad looks quite different from the one that dominated the Vols in 2023, Georgia still boasts one of the top rosters in all of college football, even after the departure of two-year starter Carson Beck.
A win in this game would be a massive early momentum boost for Tennessee, a statement to the nation that the Vols can compete in the trenches with one of the game’s most physical powers. With the checkerboard pattern filling the stands, Tennessee needs to capitalize on the biggest game in its house in 2025.
season
Tennessee at Alabama
One of the most entertaining rivalries in college sports renews itself as the Vols trek to Bryant-Denny Stadium on the Third Saturday in October.
Revenge will be on the minds of all those wearing crimson, and Alabama will try and punch back just as they did the last time the Vols visited in 2023. Since 2003, cigar smoke has
hung above the heads of Tennessee players as they depart on the short end in Tuscaloosa.
A win here would surely change the trajectory of the Vols’ season. The question remains whether Heupel’s guys can overcome the road struggles of the past handful of years or if the narrative will remain stagnant.
Tennessee at Florida
November 22, 2025
The house of horrors, otherwise known as Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, will serve as this year’s colosseum for the action between the Vols and Gators.
Even though Tennessee has taken two of the last three from its longtime rival, victory in the Swamp has evaded the Vols for 10 consecutive seasons. Moved from its longtime slot in the
middle of September, this season’s edition very well could serve as a must-win scenario at the tail end of the schedule.
With tall tasks in Georgia and Alabama preceding, the Vols could very well be in a spot where a loss would eliminate any hopes of another College Football Playoff birth. A win could keep those embers hot.
Position battles to watch during Tennessee football season
ISAIAH GERARD
Contributor
Tennessee football heads into fall camp with positions available for the taking. Following the dramatic transfer of former starting quarterback Nico Iamaleava, the Vols named transfer quarterback Joey Aguilar as the starter — but the signalcaller wasn’t the only position up for grabs. The backfield and trenches are being revamped after losing players to the NFL.
One of the best defenses in the country will also be getting a new look. With several defensive linemen leaving for the draft, it has opened an opportunity for players to step up and become the new faces of the Vols’ defense.
Battle in the backfield
After losing Dylan Sampson to the NFL Draft, the Vols have to replace a major component of the offense heading into the 2025 season. The backfield continues to be filled with talented prospects, including Peyton Lewis, Star Thomas and DeSean Bishop.
Lewis is the most talented back returning to the Vols. The sophomore flashed his explosiveness and power over the course of last season as a freshman in a limited role. Lewis averaged five yards a carry last year. The upside Lewis can bring to the room will not be in question — instead, it is up to him to take those steps to become elite.
Star Thomas is a transfer back from Duke and will be the most complete back for the Vols. After combining for over 1,000 yards and eight touchdowns for the Blue Devils, Thomas brings consistency out of the backfield, surpassing 20 receptions each of the last two years. Being a weapon in the pass game out of the backfield will allow Thomas a role.
“I think Star is a complete back,” Vols running back coach De’Rail Sims said. “He’s not a guy that’s just going to catch the ball outside on the perimeter and be able to run. He’s a run between the tackles guy. He’s a run on the outside, he’s able to catch the ball, pass protect.”
Bishop was an efficient bruising back for the Vols last season. Bishop averaged over six yards a carry for the Vols while being the best pass protector on the team. These are skills that are needed in every backfield, which will guarantee Bishop being involved this season.
Revamped offensive line
The Vols head into fall camp renovating the offensive line. Lance Heard is the only returning offensive lineman, which leaves competition everywhere along the line.
The tackles will be the most lockedin positions heading into fall camp, with
Heard anchoring the left tackle. Highly regarded five-star tackle David Sanders Jr. is expected to start on the right side for the Vols.
Inside, Arizona transfer guard Wendell Moe Jr. is expected to claim one of the guard positions. Notre Dame transfer Sam Pendleton is expected to join Moe, while returnees Jesse Perry, Max Anderson, William Satterwhite and Sham Umarov are battling out the remaining position.
“I feel like naturally we will have chemistry and we’ve done enough over the summer, over fall camp where guys have had to move enough positions where they’re used to communicating with each other,” offensive line coach Glen Elarbee said. “So we feel like we’ll be good and never know til you actually get out there.”
Pendleton is capable of playing center and guard on the line, leaving the winner of this battle still undetermined. If Pendleton slides to guard, it will most likely leave the starting center position to Satterwhite. If Pendleton is the starting center, then it opens up a three-horse race between Perry, Anderson and Umarov for the other starting guard position.
Retooling of defensive line
After losing James Pearce Jr., Omarr Norman-Lott, Omari Thomas and Elijah Simmons to the NFL, the defensive line is tasked with retooling one of the best units in college football last season. The line retained an abundance of talent to develop and brings competition into camp. Defensive line coach Rodney Garner credits that to the culture that has been established.
“The whole room is competitive because they all want to play,” said Garner. “I mean, that’s how we built the culture of that room. It’s about guys that will come out every day, put the work in to show that they’re trustworthy and that they can play at a championship level.”
On the edge, Joshua Joseph comes into fall camp regarded as the most complete player on the edge. Alongside Joseph, Caleb Herring and Jordan Ross offer talented weapons to be used in the pass rush. Redshirt freshman Tyree Weathersby will be one of the younger players the staff hopes will make a jump heading into year three.
The interior of the defensive line returns veterans Jaxson Moi, Bryson Eason and Dominic Bailey to bring experience to a
talented group of young players. Young freshmen Isaiah Campbell and Ethan Utley have high upside and are expected to have an impact in the room.
The battles will continue into the beginning of the season, where different players in different places will step up.
“The whole room is competitive because they all want to play. I mean, that’s how we built the culture of that room. It’s about guys that will come out every day, put the work in to show that they’re trustworthy and that they can play at a championship level.”
Scenes from Tennessee football practice at Neyland-Thompson Sports Complex. Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2025. David Smith / The Daily Beacon
RODNEY
Does food fuel victory? How Tennessee football’s motor keeps running through SEC season
TREVOR MCGEE Sports Editor
Ethan Bauer’s job does not start at the first whistle.
Back at the hotel, he’s up before the sun rises, prepping the meal room. He scans the area, passes out smoothies, checks hydration statuses, and watches every player to ensure they’re fueled and ready.
If there’s a meal to be served or a snack to be grabbed, you’ll find Tennessee football’s nutritionist there — usually surrounded by stacks of Uncrustables. Every play on the field is fueled by a nurtured body, something Bauer and his team have spent time perfecting from the moment players step on campus.
“You talk about the motor of the athlete,” Bauer said. “We’re kind of the gas that keeps the motor running.”
The leadership buy-in sets the tone for the athletes. Nutrition is not an afterthought — it's a daily discipline required to withstand an SEC schedule. For the 2025-26 fiscal year, Tennessee athletics budgeted $542,732 across the LaPorte Strength & Conditioning Facility and Carmichael Strength Facility.
The LaPorte Facility, used generally for football, accounts for $242,266 of that budget — including $201,246 in nutritional supplements and about $3,000 in general supplies. By comparison, the Carmichael Facility, which supports all other sports, has a budget of $300,466. That means football alone accounts for nearly a quarter million dollars in nutritional spending and close to 80% of the nutritional budget that the rest of Tennessee athletics commands.
Behind every smoothie, he says, is a philosophy that goes far beyond calories and meal plans. It’s about connecting with the athletes on a personal level first, then working immediately to ensure everybody’s goal is met in developing the man — from pre-practice intake to post-game recovery.
But Bauer knows that change begins at the top. Having that backing gives the program the resources to operate at a high level and helps ensure player engagement.
Tennessee football head coach Josh Heupel was hired in 2021 and brought Bauer aboard, making nutrition a priority. Support from athletic director Danny White allows the program to invest in its players with quality food,
specialized staff and resources that give them a competitive edge.
“(Heupel) comes to me and asks my ideas,” Bauer said. “If I think it's a good idea or bad idea, he takes my input for the professional that I am in this space, too. So he respects what we do, respects our input in a lot of different ways, which is rewarding in and of itself.”
Bauer’s job is about optimizing athletic performance. That process begins the day athletes arrive in Knoxville.
“They have to be invested,” Bauer said. “They have to understand why they're doing the things that they're doing in season, so that you can get them to do it.”
Investment is not always immediate. Before he can implement an eating schedule full of nutritional benefits, he has to earn the trust of the athlete.
He begins by developing a full picture of the player: socioeconomic status, cultural background, previous injuries, allergies and tolerances. Then, he delivers the pitch.
“It's building that foundation of trust,” Bauer said. “This is who I am, this is how I can help you.”
Many players come from backgrounds where no plans for their
health existed. That’s the bulk of Bauer’s job — and it’s a continuous commitment.
“Trust is gained and dropped, lost in buckets, right?” Bauer said. “So that's what I mean by you build it to be able to be real with them so that you can help them. Because if you can't be real with them, they'll get their feelings hurt when you're trying to talk to them about different things, and the changes that they want to make, it'll never work.”
Once that is established, Bauer and his staff can start tailoring plans to fit the athlete — whether that is adding lean mass, refining strengths or supporting recovery.
Nutrition is the fuel. The staff is the guide. Bauer and his colleagues combine that to educate the players on what they are ingesting, while putting on healthy weight.
And the key word is healthy. The nutritionists do not hand players the meal plans; they provide a map.
“We could feed them the greasiest, most calorie-dense foods and get a lot of guys that put on weight if we wanted to, but it's about putting on the right weight, right?” Bauer said. “You load them up full of, say, 40 pounds, and it's bad weight and they're going to be more prone to injury if they gain it too quickly.”
Touted freshman lineman David Sanders Jr. reaps the nutrition program benefits. A consensus five-star prospect from Charlotte, Sanders’ football traits flashed on film.
But he stood at a lean 270 pounds with a 6-foot-6 frame — light for the SEC standard. So after arriving on campus in December 2024, Sanders’ journey began. He immediately bought in, and the results have him weighing in around 320 pounds eight months later.
“He's awesome,” Bauer said. “Man, that guy does everything he needs to do to get to where he has. That's why I just give him all the credit because, yeah, we're here to help him along that way, but shoot — he's putting in a lot.”
Sanders is a headline example, but only because his transformation is the most recent. Player testimonials range all over the field. That includes fellow offensive lineman Sam Pendleton, who played the first two seasons of his career at Notre Dame.
Graphic by Trevor McGee
After spending the spring and fall with Bauer and his staff, Pendleton feels the difference at Tennessee that he did not have in the past.
“It’s been tremendous,” Pendleton said. “Ethan does a fantastic job. Haley (Bishop) does a fantastic job, just making sure we’re eating, especially during fall camp, you know? I mean, I’ve been gaining weight through fall camp, which is something I haven’t done in the past, and just making sure that you’re always eating something, always drinking something. Staying healthy, they give us vitamins every day, so stuff like that has just been like a tremendous help for sure.”
Pendleton’s viewpoint circles back to Bauer’s core goal: nutrition is about more than food. The program is a resource, but the structure, reminders and accountability are what make it effective.
The philosophy extends across the roster, shaping habits for every position. Bauer’s approach can vary by position, but the end goal does not. Defensive back Jalen McMurray was in Pendleton’s shoes a year ago when he elected to transfer from Temple.
With a year in Tennessee’s program under his belt, McMurray has positioned himself to play a large role. He credits part of that to the off-field habits he developed, building an SECready frame in the nutrition department.
“I definitely have put some weight
on, still feel fast and all that,” McMurray said. “But here, I feel like they’ve definitely helped me do that and put the weight on in a productive and good way, and not necessarily just putting all the weight
Bauer recognizes all the backgrounds that his players come from.
That includes Australian punter Jackson Ross, who made his way to Tennessee after spending three seasons with Hawthorn Football Club, a professional Australian rules football team in Victoria.
The biggest adjustment was trading his Aussie coffee for Knoxville roast — but also the size of his teammates when he made the move from Melbourne to the States.
“It was a big shock,” Ross said. “Obviously, so many different sizes of guys here and different meals I have to eat. So I try to eat clean-ish.”
Even with the seriousness of fueling SEC athletes, Bauer’s program allows for small indulgences. A recent food order included a 10-pound package of rainbow sprinkles — a reminder that nutrition doesn’t have to be all rules and structure.
Bauer’s program, he says, aims to allow players to leave in a better situation than when they arrived. That decision-making ability is already paying off for sophomore running back Peyton Lewis, who was a twosport star at Salem High School in Virginia. He boasted a powerful frame at 6-foot-1, 197 pounds with a 6.34-second 55-meter track time that earned him two state championship titles.
Lewis arrived with the tools and athleticism, but said the adjustment has been a daily discipline. That is where he has grown the most, adding 15 pounds to pair with his stature.
“They make sure that we’re always doing the right thing and trying to make the right decision,” Lewis said. “They can’t tell us what to eat, but they try to guide us in the right position. I feel like that’s helped me a lot since I’ve been here, picking out the right things I need to eat, just keeping in the back of my head, like, maybe this might affect me this way. And I stay away from a lot of different stuff. I feel like that’s helped me build up my
body to where I am now.”
Tennessee’s formula to prevent the motor from sputtering is straightforward with consistency and discipline. The results speak for themselves.
Since Bauer took over as director of sports nutrition in April 2021, the Vols have seen 12 NFL Draft picks. That includes two first-rounders and five day-two picks, featuring the likes of 26th overall pick James Pearce Jr. in 2024. Offensive tackle Darnell Wright was selected 10th overall in 2023, becoming the program’s highest draft
selection since Eric Berry went fifth overall in 2010.
Tennessee football takes nutrition seriously. For all the highlight plays any given Saturday, it’s a week-long process behind the scenes that prepares student-athletes for game day.
“Every time these NFL guys come back, it’s cool to be able to see their story because that’s why we get into this business,” Bauer said. “My goal is to help others achieve theirs, really. So just seeing that coming to fruition is pretty cool.”
Graphic by Lindsay Favre
The Weekly Crossword
1 Vague feelings
6 Like some cheddar 10 "As ___ say...." 14 Steer clear of
Bridges of Hollywood
16 Male protagonist
by Margie E. Burke
24 Says "No thanks"
25 Craigslist abbr.
27 Legalese adverb
30 Secure, as a contract
32 Signal flags at sea
36 Do a host's job
38 Nothing
39 Playground item 63 Take a load off 10 Entrance
35 Slip through the
40 Hypothetically 64 Horn sound 11 Ones named in cracks
43 Wrapped up 65 Looks like wills
37 Boring tool
44 Courtroom 12 Bert's pal 41 Hole-in-one breaks DOWN 13 Oxen joiners
46 Narrow opening 1 Wang of 19 Obituary listings
Calender period
Catches, in a
47 Military rank wedding wear 21 1980's sitcom, way indicator 2 ___ the Terrible "Family ___"
50 Slender candle 3 Some deep 24 Domino dot
Thrifty sort
48 WTO's concern
52 Pleasant odor voices 25 Gymnast Korbut 49 Casting slots
53 Match up 4 Accumulation of 26 Catty comment 51 Borden
57 Card for a fluid 28 Sends forth "spokescow" sweetie 5 Angel with six 29 Financial hub 53 Tuscany ta-ta
59 "Lou Grant" wings 31 Disadvantage 54 Not taken in by portrayer 6 Revulsion 33 El Paso's river 55 Be rife (with)
60 Tree of life site 7 Backpack filler 34 Teacher
56 Misses the mark
61 Hudson, for one 8 Corn units Krabappel on 58 Amtrak purch.
62 Rodeo 9 Fizzled "The Simpsons" contestant firecracker
Solution to Crossword:
RYAN OSBORN Cartoonist
Tennessee volleyball set up for big season with experienced returnees
THEO COLLI Senior Staff Writer
There remains no higher honor than wearing your home country’s colors. Whether that’s the Olympics or a regional tournament, there remains a certain respect, as well as an honor, toward the player chosen to represent their country.
The Lady Vols volleyball program, led by head coach Eve Rackham Watt, found itself with two players from the 2024 team joining their respective teams in some fashion.
Nina Cajic took her game overseas, joining her home nation of Serbia as an outside hitter in international competition.
She is not alone. A current member of the Lady Vols, redshirt junior Caroline Kerr, over the summer earned a nomination to the U23 USA Women’s National Volleyball team.
Kerr has risen in the ranks during her time with the Lady Vols, being named to the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) second team after a record-setting redshirt freshman season.
The success of Cajic and now Kerr rising through the system, Tennessee volleyball is growing into much more than just a local game.
During her redshirt sophomore season, while not reaching an All-American team, Kerr still earned honorable mentions from the AVCA. Kerr now returns for her fourth year and has already been listed on the AVCA National Player of the Year Preseason Watch List — one of 30 players honored with this distinction.
“I’m excited to see Caroline’s growth from this summer,” Rackham Watt told The Daily Beacon. “She had the opportunity to play with USA, which was a great opportunity for her to just develop as a player and play at that level.”
Kerr tallied 1,069 assists last season, her second straight season earning 1,000-plus assists. While with the team, the USA won the gold medal in the 2025 NORCECA Women’s U23 Pan American Cup.
“She’s brought a lot back from that experience,” Rackham Watt said. “That she’s been so eager to share with our team, and so I think she’s playing with a little more belief in what she’s doing. Understanding how good she can be, how good this team can be, and bringing that to them every day.”
This season’s team includes a handful of new talent, as well as some familiar faces who are expected to take big jumps, such as sophomore Paityn Chapman.
Last season, the Lady Vols struggled with consistency and a lack of experience among the team. While it seemed they always were close, they just couldn’t get the job done. After quite a busy offseason, which saw
the team add three transfers and three true freshmen, Rackham Watt now believes they have brought together one of the team’s deepest rosters yet during her tenure.
“What I’m most excited about, this is definitely our deepest team,” Rackham Watt said. “We have a number of options, and depth is always a great thing. They’ll make each other better every day.”
Chapman will be one of the major talking points when it comes to potential breakout stars this season. Chapman started in 25 of her 27 appearances as a true freshman and ended up second on the roster in kills, behind Cajic.
“We really expanded her role over the spring,” Rackham Watt said. “She was a three-rotation player last fall. But, this spring and summer, she’s done a lot of set rotations, she’s got a new serve, she’s attacking out of the back row.”
Chapman’s continued growth can serve as a monumental piece for the Lady Vols this season. If she can replicate what Cajic served as one of the offense’s main points of attack, that gives the Lady Vols one less thing to worry about. Yet Chapman seems to be poised for more than just offense.
“We’ve really just tried to develop her overall game more and add a little bit more to her back row expertise,” Rackham Watt
said. “As a high school and club player, she was a back row player, but she hasn’t done that for us. So now she’s doing much more of that.”
Chapman received continued praise from Rackham Watt for her work ethic on and off the court. The rising sophomore enters her first season as a returning starter, which adds nuance to the situation, yet it’s not something that the coaching staff is concerned about.
“It’s definitely different (for) her coming back as a returning starter,” Rackham Watt said. “I know she’s had high goals for herself, but her game is definitely developing, she’s playing at a higher level, more IQ, more nuances to her game she didn’t have a year ago.”
Other returning players from last season who will see plenty of time on the court include Chelsea Sutton, Klaudia Pawlik, Hayden Kubik, Mackenzie Plante and Keondreya Granberry.
Retaining talent has turned out to be a major factor in why this team seems to be the deepest in terms of recent years’ talent. All five players made an impact last season and have the potential to start at any given time.
Even with the returning players, the Lady Vols brought in three transfers, adding to
the depth and competition between reps. Even with offensive surges from players such as Chapman and Kerr, the defense has not found as much success. The addition of transfer Gülce Güçtekin from Wisconsin, however, hopes to help turn that tide.
A senior libero out of Istanbul, Turkey, Güçtekin owns 709 total digs over three seasons with the Badgers. While her 2024 season statistically is her worst, the numbers from her freshman season show she can still be an elite defender.
Outside hitter Starr Williams, transferring in from New Mexico State, and Zoë Humphrey, a middle blocker from UCLA, are both expected to also see time on the court. Williams earned 2024 first-team All-CUSA honors and started 63 out of 64 games with the Aggies. Meanwhile, Humphrey redshirted with the Bruins.
Additionally, the Lady Vols added three true freshmen to the roster, including No. 31 overall prospect Maggie Dostic — the school’s highest signee since 2013.
“A lot of new pieces,” Rackham Watt said. “Almost half the team is new. Some of them got here last spring, some of them got here just this summer. So there are definitely kinks to still work through. There’s definitely still cohesion we’re searching for.”
Caroline Kerr (11) celebrates a point during the Orange & White Scrimmage at Food City Center, Tuesday, Aug. 26, 2025. Cole Moore / The Daily Beacon
Tennessee soccer aiming high after fast start
Tyler Edmands Contributor
Just a few weeks into the 2025 college soccer season, the biggest early riser resides in Knoxville. The Tennessee Lady Vols, who began the year unranked, have shaken up the national polls after posting statement wins over then-ranked No. 1 North Carolina and No. 4 UCLA.
They’ve experienced early season success to put them on the national radar, but inside the locker room, the Lady Vols are staying focused.
“I think the biggest key is just staying present in our everyday process and not letting external things knock us off our work,” assistant coach Mike Lyons said. “I think the team, the girls, the staff, the support staff and just everybody believes in what we’re doing. The key, if we’re going to be successful or not, is just going to be if we can do that every day, regardless of what’s going on outside of us.”
For the Lady Vols, this season is about consistency, connection and chasing championships.
Learning from last season Tennessee enters 2025 off the back of a frustrating season that taught important lessons. The Lady Vols boasted a 5-1-1 record heading into SEC play but could not keep it together to end the year. They finished 3-4-3 in conference play and needed a strong SEC Tournament performance to make the NCAA Tournament, where they fell to Virginia Tech in the first round.
Head coach Joe Kirt and his staff knew that adjustments were necessary. Instead of a massive roster overhaul, the Lady Vols added just eight new players — half of the new faces they brought in a season ago. The result: Tennessee looks more connected and confident than its 2024 squad already.
Offseason aquisitions bring value
After learning from their mistakes in 2024, there are only eight newcomers to Knoxville, three of whom are transfers from other SEC schools. Junior forward Shae O’Rourke, a transfer from Texas A&M, has been the face of the Lady Vols this year. Through four games, O’Rourke has netted five goals, giving Tennessee offensive consistency against elite opponents.
Other new faces include sophomore Anaiyah Robinson from Arkansas and senior Kylee Simmons from Missouri, who bring SEC experience and are poised to take on bigger roles as the season continues.
Meanwhile, Tennessee’s freshmen class is contributing earlier than expected. Milee Zych, an outside back, has logged over 171 minutes across four matches and tallied an assist. She enrolled early last year, allowing her to get valuable reps and get additional coaching.
“I think Milee has got a good chance to help us out this year,” Lyons said. “She’s really good. She’s also been with us since
the spring, so she’s got a six-month head start.”
Forward Abby Batts has also earned early minutes and is expected to take on a bigger role. She hasn’t earned many minutes yet, but Lyons emphasized that she’s the one to watch.
Familiar faces setting the tone
While newcomers have helped add new facets to Tennessee’s game, the Lady Vols’ returning leaders are still setting the tone.
“I think our leadership team has been pretty similar,” Kirt said. “It was Mac (Midgley) and Ally (Brown) in terms of leading the team. We’ve had some younger players step up, and we’ve talked about how all our players have to be leaders at times on the field and communicate.”
Although new to the coaching staff, Lyons echoed Kirt’s point.
“Ally Brown is a model of consistency. I’ve been here for nine months, and it seems like she never plays bad. She’s also a great leader. Having Mac come back and be healthy is going to be important for us, too. We also have some younger players stepping up that are really exciting.”
A culture of connection
The most common theme this year has been the Lady Vols’ culture. The team enjoys being around each other both on and off the pitch. The connection has transferred into results. Their ability to lean on each other reflects not only the Lady Vols’ talent but the locker room culture as well.
Eyes on the SEC
As strong as Tennessee has been early this season, the real challenge begins in September when SEC play begins. Although the Lady Vols want to bring home a national championship, they’ve got their eyes set on the SEC title.
“We want to win an SEC championship,” Lyons said. “That’s what’s on our mind. We want to keep growing as a team every day and keep growing this Tennessee soccer identity that Joe and Jon have been particular about growing these past three years.”
Still, they aren’t getting ahead of themselves despite their early-season success.
Forward Abby Batts has also earned early minutes and is expected to take on a bigger role. She hasn’t earned many minutes yet,
but Lyons emphasized “Looking ahead is not really something we do,” Lyons said. “We keep ourselves in the present and focus on our day-to-day work.”
“They do everything together. It’s definitely the best player-culture I’ve seen in my time, and I’ve been to some pretty good places so far. We don’t have to do team bonding since they hang out all the time. Right now, they’re doing a weekly vlog, and honestly, you can’t fake how much they enjoy being around each other. It’s special.”
MIKE LYONS ASSISTANT COACH
Shae O’Rourke (2) celebrates with teammate Skylar Miller (25) after scoring a goal against Eastern Kentucky at Regal Soccer Stadium. Sunday, Aug. 17, 2025. Ericksen Gomez-Villeda / The Daily Beacon
Incoming freshman class to play important role for Tennessee football in 2025
RYAN HANNA Staff Writer
Tennessee football is back in action with its opener against Syracuse in Atlanta, Georgia, on Aug. 30. The Vols will have a new look roster from the team that made the College Football Playoff just a season ago.
While Tennessee is losing a noticeable amount of talent, including the sudden departure of quarterback Nico Iamaleava, head coach Josh Heupel brought in the 11th-ranked recruiting class for the Vols, per 247Sports. With graduations and more NFL draft picks, Tennessee will rely on its freshmen to help produce offense this season.
The Vols have several names that will see action and will need to step up if they want to remain competitive in the SEC this season.
Offensive tackle David Sanders Jr.
The five-star headliner for Tennessee’s 2025 recruiting class, Sanders Jr., will join Lance Heard as the tackle anchors on the Vols’ offensive line unit. The 6-foot-6, 305-pound freshman was the consensus No. 1 offensive line recruit in the 2025 class and was a driving force for a Providence Day offense that won three consecutive NCISAA state championships.
Sanders Jr. did not allow a sack all of his final season in high school and was graded at a 93% block rate while finishing as a finalist for the Mr. Football award in the state of North Carolina.
“Just his body, guy’s done an incredible job of putting on weight and getting to a place where he can function here in the SEC,” offensive line coach Glen Elarbee said. “Mentally, he’s spent as much time or more time than anybody meeting, walking through and understanding there’s still way, way more to keep going.”
Wide receiver Travis Smith Jr.
A four-star receiver coming out of Atlanta, Georgia, Smith Jr. will be a big part of Tennessee’s receiving corps right away. The freshman combined for over 100 passes and over 1,900 yards in his final two high school seasons at Westlake High School.
He was ranked No. 18 overall receiver by 247Sports, No. 9 from On3 and 16th by ESPN.
A two-sport athlete in football and basketball during his prep years, Smith has explosive upside and highlights a strong freshman class for Tennessee this season. Tennessee’s freshman has focused on improving his speed and durability over the summer and throughout fall training camp, as well as adjusting to the Vols’ offensive scheme.
“Having guys in the strength and conditioning previously being track guys and having them get my core right, getting my stride length right,” Smith said. “They’ve really worked on me with that, even overtime.”
Wide receiver Radarious Jackson
The No. 2-ranked player in the state of Tennessee coming out of high school, Jackson will join Smith as part of the Vols’ offensive nucleus this season. The 6-foot2, 210-pound freshman collected over 3,000 yards of total offense during his final two high school seasons alone, with a physical toolset that Tennessee believes will translate during games come the fall.
Jackson also played both ways in high school, notching 140 tackles and 13 interceptions in his final two seasons, including a 3A Mr. Football award during his junior year. In his final season, he recorded 15 tackles for loss at Sheffield High School.
The ultra-athletic wideout duo of Jackson and Smith has been described by fellow receiver Mike Matthews as ‘man-child,’ due to their physicality and size.
“Both of those guys are light years ahead in terms of how we operate, also just being familiar with what we’re doing on offense,” receivers coach Kelsey Pope said. “They look like different people than they did in the spring and in April.”
Defensive back Ty Redmond
Redmond enters Tennessee’s program at the height of its defensive success, and will add much-needed depth for a Vols’ secondary that will likely be without star corner Jermod McCoy to open the season, as well as safety Boo Carter in a fluid state ahead of kickoff.
Redmond played multiple positions in high school and excelled, recording 75 tackles, eight tackles for loss and four interceptions over his final two seasons in high school. He also brings a rare trait in postseason experience, as he and Tennessee teammate Dylan Lewis helped Georgia powerhouse Milton High School go undefeated and win the Class 5A title.
“Ty has had a really good spring, and right where he left spring he’s tacked on here in the fall,” defensive back coach Willie Martinez said. “He’s showing a lot of consistency and playmaking ability, and we feel really comfortable with Ty here and what he’s been able to do one-on-one with some of our great wide receivers.”
The quartet of freshmen should make their debut in a neutral-site environment when the
turf at Mercedes-Benz Stadium at the end of the month.
2025 Football PICK ‘EM
Tennessee 42 vs. syracuse 14
Texas vs. Ohio State
Alabama vs. florida state lsu vs. clemson
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Tennessee 24 vs. syracuse 14
Texas vs. Ohio State
Alabama vs. florida state
lsu vs. clemson
virginia tech vs. south carolina
notre dame vs. miami
tcu vs. north carolina
Tennessee 30 vs. syracuse 20
Texas vs. Ohio State
Alabama vs. florida state
lsu vs. clemson
virginia tech vs. south carolina
notre dame vs. miami
tcu vs. north carolina
Tennessee 23 vs. syracuse 13
Texas vs. Ohio State
Alabama vs. florida state lsu vs. clemson
virginia tech vs. south carolina
notre dame vs. miami
tcu vs. north carolina
Tennessee 27 vs. syracuse 17
Texas vs. Ohio State
Alabama vs. florida state
lsu vs. clemson
virginia tech vs. south carolina
notre dame vs. miami
tcu vs. north carolina
Tennessee 24 vs. syracuse 10
Texas vs. Ohio State
Alabama vs. florida state
lsu vs. clemson
virginia tech vs. south carolina
notre dame vs. miami
tcu vs. north carolina
Vols take the
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