USA TODAY NETWORK - Tennessee

The Volunteer State

Sports EN ↓ 100 episodes

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.

Author

USA TODAY NETWORK - Tennessee

Category

Sports

Podcast website

www.spreaker.com

Latest episode

Jun 30, 2026

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Episodes

Peyton Manning favors Arch over Tennessee? Plus Chaz Coleman exit 30.06.2026

Is it reasonable for Peyton Manning to root for his nephew, Texas QB Arch Manning, against Tennessee? Adam Sparks and John Adams discuss. Plus, George MacIntyre goes to Manning Passing Academy and Chaz Coleman leaves Vols.

Unpacking Tennessee baseball season and Josh Elander’s reload 03.06.2026

Did Tennessee baseball go into a minor slump in 2026? Or is this the reality in the post-Tony Vitello era? Adam Sparks and John Adams break down Josh Elander’s first season and where the program goes from here.

Tennessee QB talk run amok, plus Josh Elander’s turnaround 20.05.2026

Why has Faizon Brandon supposedly pulled ahead in Tennessee QB competition? Adam Sparks and John Adams separate fact from fiction. Plus, is it time to believe that Josh Elander can get Vols baseball back to Omaha, eventually?

Is 24-team playoff better for Tennessee? Plus, Neyland district 05.05.2026

Should Tennessee fans prefer a 24-team playoff? Adam Sparks breaks down the pros and cons of expanding the CFP. Plus, the latest on the Neyland Entertainment District.

Taking temperature of Kim Caldwell, Josh Elander, Josh Heupel 31.03.2026

Is the seat hot or comfortably cold for Tennessee coaches? From Kim Caldwell to Rick Barnes and more, it’s a wide range. Adam Sparks and John Adams break down their situations in an offseason vibe check.

Resetting Tennessee QB battle with spring impressions 18.03.2026

We made our picks for Tennessee’s starting quarterback. Now it’s time to amend them with new information from spring practice. Adam Sparks and John Adams discuss QB developments, plus how many games the Vols will win.

Who do we think will be Tennessee’s QB1 in 2026? 24.02.2026

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.

Why would Tennessee fans not want Joey Aguilar back? 04.02.2026

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.

What is Tennessee’s new quarterback plan? Plus portal breakdown 21.01.2026

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.

Reacting to Tim Banks firing, signing class and Music City Bowl 09.12.2025

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’s exit and Tennessee anxiety over Florida game 18.11.2025

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.

Should Tennessee focus on finishing strong or future at quarterback? 11.11.2025

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.

Josh Heupel says Tennessee defense is fixable. Do we believe him? 29.10.2025

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.

Do Tennessee fans really want to fire coaches? Let’s discuss 22.10.2025

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.

Tennessee vibe check for Alabama game, from Josh Heupel to defense 15.10.2025

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’s future SEC schedule, Vols QB in 2026? 23.09.2025

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.

Resetting Tennessee’s playoff odds after loss to Georgia 16.09.2025

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.

Can Tennessee finally beat Georgia like it did Florida, Alabama? 10.09.2025

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.

Why Tennessee, Joey Aguilar impressed us so much to start 2025 03.09.2025

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.

It’s Joey Aguilar time in Tennessee, officially 18.08.2025

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, QB competition, WR problem for Vols? 05.08.2025

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.

Why Tennessee fans pick a favorite QB before competition begins 22.07.2025

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 watc...

Is Tennessee depth chart better or worse than 2024? 15.05.2025

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.

Can Joey Aguilar thrive as Tennessee QB? Plus, Vols’ portal strategy 29.04.2025

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.

The fallout from Nico Iamaleava’s exit, and where Tennessee turns now 15.04.2025

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 poss...

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