No Playbook: Real Recruiting Stories

Guest: Mac Midgley (Lady Vols Soccer) Mac Midgley is an absolute difference-maker for the Tennessee Soccer team. I've wanted to have her on the podcast for quite a while now, and she absolutely didn't disappoint. Listen as we talk about her recruiting experience, her current season with the Lady Vols, and she shares one thing very few people know about her. This episode is sponsored by S...

Guest: Avery Strickland (Lady Vols Basketball) Avery "Ace" Strickland is a bit of a local hero in the Knoxville women's basketball community. She was a stand-out player for Farragut High School, and now she's a difference-maker on the court for the Lady Vols.  Listen as she joins the podcast to talk about the new direction of the program, her NIL experiences, and she shares som...

Guest: Connor Ruth (Tennessee State University Football) Connor Ruth joins the podcast today to talk about his recruiting experience to Tennessee State University. He also talks about his unforgettable sports memories, and he shares something that very few people know about him. Connor recently played at Knoxville Catholic High School.  This episode is Sponsored by Loco Burro Tex Mex Cantina and T...

Guest: Aliza Mannon (FC Alliance & West High School Soccer) Today's guest is actually my first ever from West High School. Listen as Aliza Mannon joins the show to talk about moving states in the middle of her 11th grade year, her recruiting experience, and she shares one unforgettable sports memory.  This episode is sponsored by Stinnett Collision and Loco Burro Tex Mex Cantina and Tequi...

Guest: Mack Bartholomew (Knoxville Catholic Football) Joining me on the podcast today is an outstanding football player from Knoxville Catholic High School. Mack Bartholomew just recently transferred schools, so we talk about that experience, his strategy on approaching college recruiting, and he shares one unforgettable sports memory.  This episode is sponsored by Stinnett Collision and Loco Burr...

Guest: Iverson Garcia (Powell Football) Iverson Garcia joins me on the podcast today from Powell High School. I got to see him cook this summer at a skills challenge at Dick's House of Sport, and he absolutely went off! Listen as we talk about his recruiting journey, the Powell Panthers current season, and he shares one unforgettable football memory.  This show is sponsored by Loco Burro Tex...

Guest: Nolan White (Maryville High School Football) Nolan White joins me to talk about getting Maryville High School back-on-track as one of the elite football programs in the state. He also talks a little about his recruiting experience, and his passion for cooking.  This episode is sponsored by D1 Training. D1 has a new facility in Blount County. Please follow the show on TikTok and Instagram @n...

Guest: Kendall Murphy (Bearden Basketball) Joining me on the show today is an outstanding basketball player from Bearden High School. This is actually the second time I've had a sibling of a previous guest on the podcast. Kendall's sister is South Carolina soccer player, Brinley Murphy, who was one of my first episodes on this show.  Kendall talks about her recruiting experience, her sum...

Guest: Weston Edmondson (Grace Christian Academy Football) Weston Edmondson joins me for a really fun chat about his recruiting experience, his football training, and we talk a lot about movies. Coming into this interview, I wasn't expecting a conversation about which Godfather movie is the best, but I sure enjoyed it!  This episode is sponsored by Fort Sanders Health & Fitness Center.  P...

Guest: Keaton Gilbreath (Bearden Football) High School football officially kicks off this week in East TN! Joining me on the podcast today is a guy that will be mentioned a lot in the TV broadcast for the Kickoff Classic, as Knoxville West heads to Bearden High School.  Keaton Gilbreath is an outstanding player who joins the show to talk about this season for Bearden, his recruiting experience, an...

Guest: Johannus Monday (Tennis) Johannus Monday joins the show today as a guy who just ended his tennis career as the #1 college player in the country! It really was a pleasure getting to speak with Johannus about his career at Tennessee, his journey from England to Knoxville, and we talk a bit about his new life as a pro. I particularly enjoyed hearing him talk about his time at Wimbledon last su...

Guest: Davis Nyitrai (William Blount Baseball) Today's guest is an outstanding baseball player from William Blount High School in Maryville, TN. Davis Nytrai joins the show to talk about his recruiting experience, his offseason training, and we talk about Mexican food in Blount County.  Which spot is your favorite? Let me know at @noplaybookpod.  This episode is sponsored by D1 Training, who...

Guest: Ally Zazzara (Tennessee Soccer) Ally Zazzara was named National Player of the Week during the playoffs last season. It was a great way to close out the '23 season at Tennessee, so she's coming in this season with some high hopes for her Lady Vols. Listen as we talk about her recruiting experience, her summer training, and we blow through a quick speed round with questions about he...

Guest: Josh Turbyville (Tennessee Football) If you're a Tennessee Football fan, this really is a fun interview! Listen as Josh Turbyville talks about the team's summer training schedule, his recruiting process, and the importance of mental toughness as a kicker in the SEC.  This episode is brought to you by D1 Training and Fort Sanders Health & Fitness Center.  Be sure to follow the...

Guest: Kayky Mota Kayky Mota is a former Tennessee Vols Swimmer, who will be competing in the Olympics this summer in Paris. Kayky will be swimming for his native Brazil, while plenty of folks in the East Tennessee region will be supporting his journey. Kayky joins the podcast to talk about his journey from Brazil to Tennessee, how he trains for the Olympics, and what it's like teaching swim...

Guest: Julia Burroughs (Tennessee Swimming)  Joining me on the show today is another member of the Tennessee Swimming team. Julia Burroughs joins me to talk about her recruiting process, what training is like for an SEC swimmer, and she shares something that very few people know about her.  Julia attended Maryville High School, and is still a big part of the swimming community in Blount County. If...

Guest: Jazmyne Blackwell (Alcoa Track/Cheerleading) My guest today is an outstanding track athlete at Alcoa High School. Jazmyne Blackwell is already receiving a lot of offers from the next level, and she's just a rising sophomore. Listen as she talks about her approach to the recruiting process, her pre-game routine, and she shares something very few people know about her.  This episode is s...

Guest: Jeriah Griffin (Elizabethton Football/Baseball) Today's guest is an outstanding athlete from Elizabethton TN. Jeriah Griffin joins the show to talk about his football recruiting, his offseason training, and how he hates BACON. He also shares his most memorable sports stories as an athlete and as a spectator.  This episode is sponsored by D1 Training. D1 is THE PLACE FOR THE ATHLETE.  P...

Guest: Hana Suzuki (East Hamilton Volleyball / K2) Hana Suzuki joins me on the show today. She's an outstanding volleyball player from Chattanooga, who plays for East Hamilton and K2 Volleyball. We talk about her approach to recruiting, as she prepares for an eventual college career. She also shares something that very few people know about her, and her favorite sports memories.  This episode...

Guest: Coach Rusty Wright (Chattanooga Mocs Head Coach) Coach Rusty Wright joins me to talk about UTC's team for this upcoming fall, the changing landscape of college football, and he even gives out a few superlatives to past and current players.  Current UTC Offensive Lineman Dave Monnot will be joining VFL Kevin Simon for a football clinic specifically for Offensive and Defensive Linemen. I...

Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs (Kane) hosts a Night of Champions every year to celebrate the TN state champions from Knox County. For the third time, he has invited me to come interview athletes for the podcast.  Listen as I speak with Softball players from Gibbs High School, a Basketball player from Knox Catholic High School, and a soccer player from South Doyle.  This episode is sponsored by D1...

Guest: Nathan Eisfelder (Tennessee Baseball Committ)  Nate Eisfelder plays baseball in the Tennessee Tri-Cities for Providence Academy, but has already committed to play for the Tennessee Vols in college. He joins the podcast to talk about his recruiting experience, his favorite sports memories, and what it was like moving to TN from California during Covid.  This episode is sponsored by D1 Traini...

On3 Elite hosted an event in Nashville this week with 50 of the nation's top football recruits for the 2025 class. Listen as I interview a lot of the kids at the event about their recruiting process, their training routines, and we talk a lot about Madden.  This episode is sponsored by D1 Training. D1 is THE PLACE FOR THE ATHLETE! Please follow the show on TikTok and Instagram @noplaybookpod....

Guest: Griffin Hadley (Tennessee Swimming) Swimming is a collegiate sport that doesn't get as much media coverage as "the big three," but it absolutely should! Griffin Hadley joins the podcast to talk about his training routine as an SEC Swimmer, his recruiting experience, and what he calls HIS Roman Empire.  This episode is sponsored by D1 Training. D1 is The Place for The Athlete....

Guest: Caleb Cross (Catawba College Baseball) Today I'm joined by a very impressive young man, Caleb Cross. Caleb grew up in the Tri-Cities (TN) area and graduated from Providence Academy. He joins the podcast to talk about his recruiting experience to Catawba College, how he helped bring FCA to Providence, and we talk a lot about baseball movies. He even credits The Sandlot for his decision...