No Playbook: Real Recruiting Stories

Guest: Gabriel Jones (Tennessee Vols Mascot, SMOKEY) As a lifelong Tennessee fan, I can honestly say this is one of the most fascinating interviews I've had on the show. Gabriel Jones, who once wore the iconic Smokey costume, joins us to give a behind-the-scenes look at life as the beloved Vols mascot. From game day dance routines to hectic schedules and unforgettable moments, Gabriel shares...

Guest: Taylor Wilson (South Doyle Soccer) South Doyle's soccer team earned the school its first ever state championship in 2024. Today's guest is one of the integral players from that team, Taylor Wilson. Taylor joins me to talk about that improbable championship run, his recruiting experience, and he shares something that very few people know about him.  This interview is the first in w...

Guest: Ruby Hill (Atomic Rowing/Hardin Valley Academy) Ruby joins me as my second rower on the podcast to talk about her recent commitment to the University of Oklahoma. She explains a bit about the sport of rowing, and tells the story of how she found a passion for it in middle school.  This episode is sponsored by Stinnett Collision.  See full YouTube videos of each episode of the podcast here:...

Guest: Bryson Daugherty (Lenoir City Football) Byson Daugherty joins the show to share his inspiring recruiting story. An ill-timed bout with pneumonia affected Bryson's football recruiting plans. Still, he remained focused and put in the work to earn an offer from Cason Newman. He talks about his recruiting experience, his extra training, and he shares something that very few people know abo...

Guest: Andie Marie Jones (Tennessee Cross-Country) On every episode, I ask the guests to share an unforgettable sports memory. Andie Marie Jones' story in this episode might be the best I've heard. Listen as she talks about her recruiting experience as an athlete from Maryville High School, her training routine, and she shares something that very few people know about her.  This episode...

Guest: Ben Fox (Maryville College Head Football Coach) Coach Fox joins me on the show to talk about his recent success at Maryville College, and how he approaches recruiting. He shares some great insights for anyone interested in playing college football at this level. It's an interesting conversation, for sure, and I highly encourage you to listen to the full interview. This is a guy who tru...

Guest: Jayson Gainey (Knoxville Catholic Basketball) Jayson Gainey joins me on the show to talk about his professional goal of being a college coach one day, Knox Catholic's current season, and he shares some of his fashion tips. Jayson is the brother of Tennessee Vols basketball player, Jordan Gainey, and son of Tennessee assistant coach, Justin Gainey.  This episode is sponsored by Stinnett...

Guest: Ajabeon Stinson (Grace Christian Academy Football) I almost NEVER feature 8th grade athletes on the podcast, but today's guest is just too talented to ignore Ajabeon Stinson is an 8th grader who was invited to play up for his high school team at Grace Christian Academy this past season. Not only did he play for the high school team, but he was a real difference maker. He was featured o...

Guest: Fisher Green (Halls High School Baseball) Fisher Green is a freshman at Halls High School and already listed as the top baseball prospect for his graduating class. He joins the show to talk about his experience with the Atlanta Braves organization, and his strategy for approaching recruitment.  This episode is sponsored by Stinnett Collision.  Please check out the show on TikTok and Instagr...

Guest: Nyla Blue (Tennessee Soccer) Nyla Blue is an outstanding soccer player with the Tennessee Vols. She joins the show to talk about her amazing high school career at Bearden High School, her recruiting experience, and she shares which teammate she'd call in the event of a crisis.  This episode is sponsored by Stinnett Collision. If you're in need of automotive repair, give them a cal...

Guest: Savannah Rivera (Tennessee Cross-Country) Savannah Rivera is a member of Tennessee's Cross-Country team. She's also a native Knoxvillian, so she has a unique perspective on the recruiting process for East Tennessee locals that hope to one day compete in athletics for their hometown Vols. Listen as she talks about her recruiting process, her athletic training, and she shares one th...

Guest: Mac McCord (Maryville High School Baseball) I always love having Maryville High School athletes on the show, and today's guest is a fantastic one from their baseball team. Mac McCord joins the show to talk about his recent commitment to Roane State, his extra training, and he shares something that very few people know about him.  This episode is sponsored by Stinnett Collision, with lo...

Guest: Daniel Iverson (Down to the Wire - Sports Show) Daniel Iverson is a college freshman who recently put together a show called Down to the Wire. On his show, he highlights the best athletes from Knoxville Catholic High School, and the University of Tennessee. We've interviewed a few of the same players, so I wanted to have him on the podcast to talk about his ambitions for the show. He a...

Guest: Sarah Schmitt (Tennessee Track) Sarah Schmitt is a fantastic pole vaulter at the University of Tennessee. Listen as she talks about discovering and excelling at the pole vault. She also talks about her recruiting experience, and she shares an unforgettable sports memory.  This episode is sponsored by Stinnett Collision.  Check out the show on Instagram @noplaybookpod. 

Guest: Avery Jameson (Basketball Trainer) Few people have the kind of passion and enthusiasm that today's guest brings to the show. Avery Jameson is a young basketball coach/trainer in East TN, and his dedication to helping young players is nothing short of inspiring. Listen as he talks about some of the up-and-coming talent in our area, and he shares a few remarkable stories from a coach&apo...

Guest: Madi Bowlin (Bearden and FC Alliance Soccer) Madi Bowlin is a standout soccer player for FC Alliance and Bearden High School. She joins the show to talk about her impressive work ethic, her upcoming recruiting process, and she brags about her Mamaw's cooking.  This episode is sponsored by Stinnett Collision and Loco Burro Tex Mex Kitchen.  Be sure to follow the show on TikTok and Insta...

Guest: Ariel Antigua (Tennessee Baseball) Ariel Antigua was an integral part of the 2024 National Championship for the Tennessee Volunteers Baseball Team. He joins the show to talk about that experience, how he ended up at UT, and he talks about going viral at the age of 5 years old. It was an experience that landed him on the Jimmy Kimmel show.  This episode is sponsored by Stinnet Collision and...

Guest: Maci Brede (UCF Commit - Rowing) Admittedly, I knew almost nothing about the world of rowing before speaking with Maci Brede. She's a student at Webb School in Knoxville, and she rows for a team in Oak Ridge. Maci has recently committed to the University of Central Florida to continue her career as a rower in college. Listen as she talks about how she discovered the sport and made some...

Guest: Elsa Morrison (Farragut Softball / Lady Vols Commit)  Elsa Morrison joins the podcast to talk about her recent commitment to Tennesse. She talks about her experience on the USA National Team, her 18u Bombers team's National Championship, and since we recorded this the day after Thanksgiving, we talk about the holidays.  This episode is sponsored by Stinnett Collision and Loco Burro Tex...

Guest: Jackson Lampley (Tennessee Football) Jackson Lampley joins the show just hours after learning Tennessee's fate for the College Football Playoff. We talk about the team's upcoming matchup with Ohio State, his recruiting experience, and he shares a story from the 2022 victory over Alabama.  This episode is sponsored by Stinnett Collision and Loco Burro Tex-Mex Kitchen and Tequila Ba...

Guest: Mary Mac Emery (Webb Soccer/FC Alliance) Mary Mac Emery was recently named 1st Team All-Conference for the Ohio Valley ECNL Soccer League. She joins me today to talk about her ECNL experience with FC Alliance, and this past season with Webb. She also shares an unforgettable sports memory, and one thing that very few people know about her.  This episode is sponsored by Stinnett Collision and...

Guest: Max Gilbert (Tennessee Football) Max joins the podcast to talk about Tennessee's place in the upcoming College Football Playoff, his recruiting experience, and he shares one thing that very few people know about him.  This episode is sponsored by Stinnett Collision and Loco Burro Tex Mex Cantina and Tequila Bar.  Follow the show on TikTok and Instagram @noplaybookpod. 

Guest: Jonah Mitchell (South Doyle Soccer) Jonah Mitchell joins the show to talk his recruiting experience, South Doyle's recent State Championship, and he shares something that very few people know about him.  This episode is sponsored by Stinnett Collision and Loco Burro Tex Mex Cantina at West Town Mall.  Follow the show on TikTok and Instagram @noplaybookpod. 

Guest: Tory Beaufort (Bearden Football) Tory joins the podcast to talk about his recruiting experience, his current TSSAA playoff run with Bearden High School, and he shares an unforgettable sports memory.  This episode is sponsored by Stinnett Collision and Loco Burro Tex Mex Cantina.  Follow the show on TikTok and Instagram @noplaybookpod. 

Guest: Maliyah Glasper (Gatlinburg-Pittman Basketball) Maliyah Glasper is a fantastic basketball player at Gatlinburg-Pittman High School, and she joins the show to talk about her recruiting experience and what it's like living in a tourist destination.  This episode is sponsored by Stinnett Collision, with locations in Sevierville and Maryville - and Puckers Sports Grill. Puckers burned down...