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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.
326 Episodes
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Joey Aguilar will move on, and so will the Vols. Will George MacIntyre, Faizon Brandon or Ryan Staub be Tennessee’s starting quarterback? Adam Sparks and John Adams make their early picks of the QB depth chart.
Joey Aguilar sued the NCAA to play for Tennessee in 2026. Some fans are celebrating, but others want to move on. Adam Sparks and John Adams discuss the impact of Aguilar potentially returning, including the future of George MacIntyre and Faizon Brandon.
Tennessee football has five new coaches, 18 new players and plenty of new reasons to praise and complain about its work in the transfer portal. Adam Sparks and John Adams assess the Vols’ new QB plan and their portal pickups.
Tim Banks is fired. Tennessee is retooling its roster, first with recruits and eventually transfers. And there’s still a Music City Bowl to be played. Adam Sparks and John Adams break down a busy December for the Vols.
Boo Carter is no longer a Vol. Joey Aguilar looks a little shaky. And the curse of The Swamp is lingering around Tennessee. Adam Sparks and John Adams react to Carter’s exit and tell UT fans whether they should be worried about the Florida game.
With Tennessee out of the playoff race, are fans still focused on the 2025 season or the future? Adam and John discuss UT’s next QB and the potential of staff changes, as well as the bowl outlook.
What’s wrong with Tennessee’s defense? Can it be fixed this deep into the season? And who’s to blame for its downturn? Plus, Adam and John break down the Oklahoma game.
After the loss to Alabama, Tennessee fans want Josh Heupel to finally make staff changes or risk never getting over the hump. Adam Sparks and John Adams discuss “fire everybody” reactions. Plus, a Kentucky preview and playoff odds.
The Third Saturday in October is upon us. So Adam Sparks and John Adams take the Vols’ temperature before the Alabama game. Is Josh Heupel too conservative? Are the refs out to get the Vols? What’s up with UT’s defense? Plus, midseason predictions.
Tennessee knows some of its opponents in the new nine-game SEC schedule, which begins in 2026. And speaking of next season, who will be the Vols’ QB? Adam Sparks and John Adams discuss that and more as UT prepares for the Mississippi State game.
Did Tennessee’s best shot at a playoff bid sail wide right? Or will the loss to Georgia ultimately help the Vols’ CFP resume? Adam Sparks and John Adams discuss Josh Heupel’s decisions in UT’s gut-wrenching OT loss, critical injuries and how expectations are still high.
If Josh Heupel reversed curses in the Florida and Alabama games, why can’t his Vols do the same against Georgia? Adam Sparks and John Adams break down this week’s biggest game in college football and look ahead to how a win or loss to the Bulldogs would impact Joey Aguilar and UT’s 2025 season.
Tennessee finally made its first impression of the 2025 season, and it was a good one. Plus, Alabama looked awful. Adam Sparks and John Adams break down Joey Aguilar’s debut in the Vols’ Week 1 win over Syracuse, compare him to Nico Iamaleava and project what all this means for the rest of the season.
Joey Aguilar has been named Tennessee’s starting quarterback. Here’s why he won the job and how it impacts the Vols’ 2025 outlook.Adam Sparks and John Adams react to the decision and break down the long-term effects on Jake Merklinger, George MacIntyre and the 2026 starting job.
Boo Carter isn’t back yet. The QB competition is tight. And does Tennessee already have a wide receiver problem? Adam Sparks and John Adams react (and overreact) to their favorite storylines from preseason practice. Plus, they break down Tennessee’s spot in the Preseason Coaches Poll.
Pick your QB and pick him now! Joey Aguilar, Jake Merklinger or George MacIntyre. Some Tennessee fans have already chosen their preferred QB before the competition begins, and they’re defending him. But why? Adam Sparks and John Adams break down the intriguing phenomenon of fans showing stern allegiance to quarterbacks they’ve barely seen play. Plus, some preseason camp players to watch.
Tennessee’s 2025 football roster appears to be complete. That means we can judge the depth chart, and we’ve got plenty of judgments about it. On today’s episode, hosts Adam Sparks and John Adams break down the depth chart to determine if each position is better, worse or the same as 2024, beginning with QB Joey Aguilar.
We are now in the Joey Aguilar era of Tennessee quarterbacks, maybe. But is he good enough? Is he too reckless? Can he learn UT’s offense quick enough?On today's episode, host Adam Sparks breaks down the good and bad of Aguilar’s game and how it fits into the Vols. Plus, what is Tennessee’s transfer portal strategy? Let’s try to figure it out.
Nico Iamaleava is gone. Tennessee is searching for a new quarterback. And the college football world is reacting to this potential tipping point of the NIL/transfer portal era.On today's episode, hosts Adam Sparks and John Adams react to Iamaleava’s abrupt exit and discuss how the situation got to the point of no return.Plus, where do the Vols go from here? There are a few quarterback possibilities in the transfer portal.
Tennessee football has a “new scheme” on offense. But what does that mean? Or more importantly, what do we think it should mean?On today's episode, hosts Adam Sparks and John Adams react (and overreact) to rumblings about new offensive plans the Vols are working on in spring practice.Plus, Adam recaps his first Aussie rules football game and eating grilled kangaroo during a spring break trip to Australia.
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