Tennessee’s weekend crowd at Neyland Stadium included a handful of 2028 tight end prospects, and one of the more notable visitors came away impressed with just about everything he saw.
Lucas Cornwell, a 2028 tight end from Smith County High School in Carthage, Tennessee, was among the recruits on hand for the Vols’ SEC matchup with Auburn. Living less than 140 miles from Knoxville, Cornwell got a close look at the program and said the visit gave him plenty to think about.
“The main thing I talked about with both of the tight end coaches was what my recruitment looks like going forward and blocking in the run game.”
The conversation with Tennessee’s staff was part of a bigger weekend for Cornwell, who said the atmosphere inside Neyland stood out immediately.
“It was awesome! By far the best fan base in college football, and it was so loud I could barely hear myself talk.”
Josh Heupel also made his presence felt before the game, something Cornwell remembered clearly.
“What stood out to me was honestly just how much Coach Heupel went out of his way to greet all of the recruits pre-game on the field.”
On the field, Tennessee backed up the experience with a 24-14 win over Auburn, and Cornwell liked what he saw from the Vols during the game.
“They simply went out and handled business. Yes, there were times that they had to make adjustments, but it seemed to work!”
Tennessee has not offered Cornwell yet, but interest is clearly there. There’s also discussion between the two sides about a possible move to tackle at the college level, which fits with his 6-foot-6 frame.
For now, Cornwell is drawing attention from Vanderbilt, Mississippi State, Purdue, Boston College, among others. He already holds offers from Wake Forest, East Carolina, Bowling Green, and others.
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Tennessee's Quarterback Situation Just Got More Uncertain Before Arkansas
Tennessees quarterback picture has become even murkier heading into the trip to Arkansas, with Faizon Brandon now dealing with an injury and listed as questionable for the game. The uncertainty adds another layer to a position that was already under a spotlight after Brandon was benched in the previous game against Auburn, when George MacIntyre stepped in and gave the Volunteers a steadier look through the air.
Josh Heupel acknowledged Brandons injury status but stopped short of mapping out how Tennessee will handle the position this week. That leaves the Volunteers waiting on two fronts: whether Brandon can get healthy in time, and whether the staff chooses to lean back toward MacIntyre after his efficient relief work against Auburn. [Read more 🡒]
Tennessee's Playoff Margin Could Shift Before The Alabama Game
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UCLAs trip to Oregon, Houstons matchup with Kansas State and, most notably, Alabama against Georgia all carry ripple effects for Tennessees playoff standing. The Vols do not play Georgia this season, so the Bulldogs remain part of the broader conversation only from a distance, but Alabama is still very much in front of them on the schedule and in the committee conversation. By the time Tennessee gets its shot at the Crimson Tide, the playoff margin could already look different. [Read more 🡒]
Tennessee Has A Clear Arkansas Opportunity If The Vols Can Deliver
Tennessee heads into its SEC matchup with Arkansas with a blueprint in hand, and the film from the Razorbacks loss to Texas A&M points to an opening the Vols will want to press. Tennessees spread offense and run game have been the focus of the prep work, with DeSean Bishop set to be a central figure as the Vols try to stress a defense that showed vulnerabilities in its most recent outing. It is the kind of game plan that can travel well if Tennessee can stay on schedule and force Arkansas to defend the full width of the field.
George MacIntyre is expected to make his first career start, which adds another layer to a game Tennessee already views as an opportunity. Arkansas still brings a defense coordinated by Jim Knowles, so the challenge is not hard to identify, even if the tape suggests some cracks to attack. For the Vols, the question is whether they can turn those areas into a real advantage on the road, and whether MacIntyres debut can stay steady enough to let the rest of the offense do its work. [Read more 🡒]