Butch Jones to appear at Beat Vandy Bonfire

Beat Vandy Bonfire

The SGA Traditions Committee is hosting a “Beat Vandy Bonfire,” where coach Butch Jones is scheduled to make an appearance.

From the people who bring you Big Orange Friday: Do you love the free Chik-Fil-A sandwiches, Butch Jones, and the Vols? If you said yes to any of those, then SGA Traditions Committee invites YOU to come out to FIJI Island on Friday, November 22nd at 6:00pm to get FREE Chik-Fil-A sandwiches from Dining Services, hear Butch Jones talk, and enjoy this huge bonfire that we are going to have! There will also be a High Cotton merchandise giveaway including koozies, stickers, and bow ties! Let’s start a new tradition…spread the word!

Jaylen Reeves-Maybin

After watching him make play after play on special teams this season, many on the board have asked when Jalen Reeves Maybin will see playing time on defense. According to Tennessee linebackers coach Tommy Thigpen, the time may be now.

“He’s a smart kid – he really is,” said Thigpen. “He takes a lot of pride in what he does and is probably one of the most cerebral kids we have on our football team. He’s never on the list – never late for anything and always shows up for his appointments. That will always tell you – if he’s on time for everything he’s supposed to do as a young freshman – that will carry right over to the field.

“He doesn’t miss many assignments. He talks in the room with a bunch of older guys and feels really comfortable in the room. So I’m looking forward to watching him grow as a young player.”

Keep an eye out for him on Saturday.

Recruitin’

2014 Florida offensive tackle David Sharpe was supposed to announce his commitment yesterday at noon, but delayed his decision until after Thanksgiving.

“Commitment canceled tomorrow I apologize it will not be at prov when I do have it Though,” Sharpe tweeted.

Sharpe is ranked No. 18 in the ESPN 300 and will decide between Florida, Tennessee, Georgia and Florida State.

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Tennessee tight end commit Ethan Wolf has a younger brother, Eli Wolf, who is considered one of the top tight end prospects in Ohio for 2015.

“I’ve also talked with the Tennessee coaches, especially with Ethan going there,” Wolf told Bill Greene of Scout.com. “I’ve been down there and spoke with Coach (Butch) Jones, but nothing too much on recruiting. I’m going to go to a bunch of camps next summer, and getting to know all these schools.”

Tennessee vs. Vandy, media picks

Tennessee is only favored by three points against the Commodores on Saturday. And after the beat down the Vols suffered last year in Nashville, it’s not surprising that the predictions for this one are mixed. Chris Low thinks Tennessee holds home court with a 27-21 victory, while Edward Aschoff takes Vandy, 31-24.

So far this season, Butch has won the games where Tennessee has been favored to win. Can he do the same on a big stage against an in-state rival? Lot’s of eyeballs will be watching.

“It is a big game, it is a critical game because it is the next game on our schedule,” said head coach Butch Jones. “We are working to get to win number five. That is the way we approach it. It is big because it is the next game.”

Lowe’s Defining Moments: Tennessee vs Vandy 1996

Brian Rice at utsports.com relives a classic Tennessee/Vandy game. The year was 1996. It was the final regular season game of Peyton Manning’s junior season, and just like every year back then, the final opponent was Vanderbilt. Even though the ‘Dores were just 2-8 and had lost to the Vols 65-0 the prior year, this game was a low-scoring battle in the rain.

That Tyrone Hines wore some big shoulder pads.

McRae and Stokes make Naismith watch list

The 50-man Naismith Trophy watch list was revealed on Thursday and two Vols, Jordan McRae and Jarnell Stokes, made the list. Earlier this month, the duo was named to the John R. Wooden Award watch list.

According to utsports, “Each year, the Atlanta Tipoff Club’s board of selectors, comprised of leading basketball journalists, coaches and administrators from around the country, vote on player performance to ultimately select the winners.Unique among national awards of this caliber, the Naismith Trophy allows fans to contribute an unprecedented 25 percent of the final vote for the awards through text messaging.”