ATLANTA – Tennessee wide receiver Bru McCoy was named to the 2024 Allstate Wuerffel Trophy Watch List, as announced by the Wuerffel Foundation on Thursday.
The Wuerffel Trophy is college football’s premier award for community service and one of the most meaningful awards in collegiate sports.
The award is named after Danny Wuerffel, the 1996 Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback from the University of Florida who parlayed his success on the football field into a lifetime of service. The trophy embodies Wuerffel’s commitment to being a humanitarian while honoring student-athletes who are inspired to serve others and make positive impacts on society.
McCoy, who enters his third season at UT, has made it a main focus of his to make a positive impact within the Knoxville community and beyond, primarily through his “Huddle for Hearts” initiative.
In partnership with the Peyton Walker Foundation, McCoy developed “Huddle for Hearts” to help provide youth athletic organizations with AEDs (automated external defibrillator), a medical device designed to save those experiencing sudden cardiac arrest.
“Huddle for Hearts” is aiming to not only spread awareness about the dangers and prevalence of sudden cardiac arrest, but to alert people on prevention and treatment. In partnership with the Peyton Walker Foundation, McCoy is working to raise money to provide communities with AEDs while increasing understanding and awareness about sudden cardiac arrest in sports.
McCoy’s vision goes beyond Knoxville, as he is working towards involving athletes from schools across the country to take part in this initiative to help spread awareness and make AEDs accessible to underserved communities nationwide.
The Wuerffel Foundation recently partnered with Allstate to unify college football’s highest community service honors. Eleven of the watch list nominees will be named to the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team and will be Allstate Wuerffel Trophy semifinalists.
The 2024 Allstate Wuerffel Trophy finalists and recipient will be selected by a national voting committee, including a fan vote component, and announced on ESPN’s Home Depot College Football Awards Show on Dec. 12. The Allstate Wuerffel Trophy Presentation Gala will take place Feb. 1, 2025, at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta.
The complete list of 2024 Wuerffel Trophy Watch List selections and more information about the award can be found HERE.
James Pearce Jr., DE, Jr. First-Team All-American (Athlon, Phil Steele, Walter Camp) First-Team All-SEC (Athlon, Media, Phil Steele, Walter Camp) Lott Trophy Watch List Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List
An East Tennessee school system is asking police to investigate a hazing incident.
WVLT is working to learn more about what happened and who is involved but Claiborne County Sheriff Bob Brooks says school officials at Claiborne County High School called the Sheriff’s Office to report the incident.
The New Tazewell Police Department is leading the investigation.
A fuel leak on I-75 North that shut down the interstate in Campbell County is contained.
Officials with the Tennessee Department of Transportation say the crash involved an overturned vehicle and a tanker truck leaking fuel yesterday (Wednesday).
Officials say the leak on the tanker is contained to about 20 gallons and the tanker will have to be offloaded on scene. There is a large debris field and they are looking at an extended clean up time.
The Tennessee Highway Patrol is investigating after a Dandridge firefighter has a medical episode and crashes his truck, towing a boat, into a building.
Fire Chief Andrew Riley says no one was seriously injured yesterday (Wednesday) morning after the fireman, Logan Inman, lost consciousness behind the wheel and crashed the command truck, which was towing the department’s boat for service, into a building near Main Street in downtown.
During the crash, the truck hit two parked cars, which helped save the building from seeing major damage and potentially stopped an employee inside from getting hurt.
Inman was taken to the hospital and his passenger left the crash with bumps and bruises.
The truck was totaled and the boat saw major damage. The Jefferson County Rescue Squad has a boat of their own for on-water emergency response.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee football’s roster continues to grow in size, speed and athleticism since head coach Josh Heupel took over the program in 2021. That was on full display Wednesday morning, as the Volunteers began the fourth preseason of the Heupel era with a two-hour practice in helmets and shorts inside the Neyland-Thompson Sports Center.
Wednesday’s first camp practice was held indoors due to heavy storms that saturated the outdoor fields overnight. Much of the 15-period workout featured a walk through, 1-on-1s and individual drills.
Nine members of the #RockyTop24 signing class saw their first action, including highly-touted five-star defensive lineman Jordan Ross of Vestavia Hills, Alabama. Ross is one of many explosive edge rosters who make up the roster recruited by Heupel’s staff.
“In this league, but in general in football, if you want to be good, you have to be good up front,” Heupel said. “Guys that can rush the passer and can affect the game on the first level are extremely important. The depth that we’ve been able to build with the athletic traits that we’re looking for, this is the deepest we’ve been at that position. We have great length, athleticism and ability to bend the corner.”
Josephs enters his third year on the field after finishing the 2023 season strong. The Kennesaw, Georgia, native finished with 20 total tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, three sacks and three quarterback hurries.
“He’s done a great job in the weight room,” Heupel said of Josephs. “Nutrition has done a great job with him, and that’s him taking the lead on those things. You look at his frame now compared to where he was a year ago, dramatically different. His confidence and understanding of what we’re doing, allowing his athletic traits to take over (and) continued fundamental development, really excited about the offseason that he’s had.”
Tennessee will participate in its second preseason practice on Thursday morning before taking Friday off.
Opening statement “Good start, day one. A lot of good, a lot of things to clean up too, but all in all, organizationally really good. Good start to the training camp.”
On how essential the LEO position is… “In this league, but in general in football, if you want to be good you have to be good up front. Guys that can rush the passer and can affect the game on the first level are extremely important. That’s your edge guy, and it’s also your interior. The depth that we’ve been able to build with the athletic traits that we’re looking for, this is the deepest we’ve been at that position. We have great length, athleticism and ability to bend the corner. Those guys are multiple. They can play on the first level, they can drop in some of your zone pressure packages. They’re really intelligent guys that can handle the volume of what they have to do within our scheme.”
On how much faster they can go over installments due to certain rule changes… “I don’t think you’re accelerating your installs necessarily. I do think there are times when you can break out into more intentional, specific pods with your front and your interior. We’re talking about LEOs and those guys being able to break off. You have more eyes (and) more guys who are able to coach your secondary, so you can split those guys up more in some of your drills.”
On what has been the change for LEO Joshua Josephs… “The growth of the person and that part lays itself into the growth of the player. For him, just what he’s doing every minute of the day. How he’s taking care of his body, the sleep that he is getting, who he is outside of the building and when he’s here how intentional and focused he is on just becoming a master of his craft. He’s done a great job in the weight room. Nutrition has done a great job with him and that’s him taking the lead on those things. You look at his frame now compared to where he was a year ago, dramatically different. His confidence and understanding of what we’re doing, allowing his athletic traits to take over (and) continued fundamental development, really excited about the offseason that he’s had.”
On what he wants DL Jordan Ross to learn from the veterans in the defensive line room… “Learn what it takes to be a high-level college athlete. How you take care of your body, how you do extra inside of our building. That can be in our meeting room, it can be fundamental development on your own during the summer months. It’s what it looks like to be the consummate pro. We’re fortunate that as we’ve built this thing, we have guys who have the right accountability to the daily task. Guys that understand what it takes to do your plus one, meaning everybody in the country is lifting a certain amount of hours, (has) a certain amount of practice hours during the week during the season. How do prepare yourself? What’s your plus one to gain an edge? That’s in your position room as we’re competing for playing time, but it’s also against your opponents that you’re playing.”
On WR Chas Nimrod going into his third year with the program… “He’s done an unbelievable job. One of the guys that we recognized during the course of our meetings yesterday. The summer that he’s had, how he’s transformed his body. It’s his body composition, it’s his muscle mass, it’s what he did in the weight room hitting PRs. He is a guy going into year three, his understanding of what we’re doing offensively and his ability to play inside or outside, play with speed and be decisive, be on the same page with the quarterback and have coverage recognition. Really excited about his growth and development in our program. Excited about what he did here on day one.”
On Joey Halzle‘s biggest growth as an offensive coordinator from last year… “We all learn things. As you go through every year, there are things that you’re going to learn. In a leadership role, it’s your communication with your staff, your players, your organizational side of it. For us offensively, as the evolution continues to change as far as what we see from defensive structures, it’s how we continue to put our players in the best position both by personnel placement and by scheme to go attack those things.”
On what they liked about OL Jeremias Heard in the recruiting process and his potential as an offensive lineman… “Young as a football player. You look at where he played; he played tight end, he played d-line, but he played out in space a bunch. The opportunity to see him play basketball. His athletic traits: size, length, short area quickness, ability to bend. He’s a young football player that now being on the offensive line, there’s a lot of understanding and growth for him fundamentally that’s going to take place. Really rare and unique athletic traits.”
On seeing WR Bru McCoy out on the practice field today… “For Bru, you could tell just walking out on the football field for him today at practice, it was a big day for him. Everything that’s gone into it from the injury to the rehab, mentally and physically getting back to the point where you’re getting ready to go compete. We’re going to control his volume but build as we go through training camp. Today was a big moment for him. Really proud of what he’s done and how he’s grown. He’s a tremendous leader inside of our locker room, and really excited that he’s back with us.”
On the in-helmet communication transition… “Quarterbacks get tired of hearing us in the headsets. It’s unique. You have a plan for it, and you have to be ready if it goes out too. At times, there are issues that occur with headsets. You have to pre-plan that too. It’s an opportunity, it’s a tool to use. We’re trying to be intentional on how we do that on both sides of the ball. At the same time, you have to be ready to operate without it.”
On balancing growth and learning with players that arrived in the summer… “You have to learn it, earn it and go take it. It’s a player’s responsibility to prove that he’s going to play at a championship level play in and play out and day in and day out. With young guys, they have to have an opportunity to grow, make mistakes. Don’t make the same mistake twice. It’s important that they learn from the guys that are in their room as well. You have to accelerate their curve. They’re going to have to handle the installs that we have to go through with our vets as well. Based on how they’re able to take in that information and be able to go execute it, it kind of tells you what their role will be in the early parts of the season. Every player inside our program, including our young guys, you have to give them an opportunity to continue to grow from day-to-day. That’s the journey that we’re all on together.”
On the leadership dynamic in the secondary… “We have good leadership inside of that room. Andre Turrentine is a guy who does a dynamic job in a leadership role. Will Brooks has been around for a long time. He does a nice job. Jourdan Thomas, those are all guys who are on our leadership council as well. The young guys that are in that room, or the new guys, are really mature in who they are and how they compete every day. It’s a group that feeds off of each other.”
On his expectations for DB Christian Charles this season… “He’s a guy who is extremely athletic. Really good length. He’s played corner, he’s played safety. He has an opportunity to be a utility knife a little bit. For him, he’s missed so much time. Not the same circumstances as (Bru McCoy), but for him to be back out on the field full go, it was big for him today, too. He’s really excited. I think Charles has grown so much off the field in who he is and how he takes care of his body. Really excited to see fall camp unfold for him and see him continue to grow as a player.”
On having a player like DL Omari Thomas on the team that has grown alongside the program… “Omari, and a lot of our veteran guys, there’s a little over a handful of guys that are sixth-year guys. They’ve seen this program change a bunch. They’ve been a huge part of the change here inside of this building in who we are and how we operate. They’re a big part of the recruiting process. At the end of the day, when recruits come on campus, your players are the biggest touch point and sales point for what it’s like to be a Vol. They’ve been a huge part of that as well. That group – Omari is one of the guys that you named – the journey that this program has been on, how we’ve navigated the success that we’ve had, there’s more out there, we understand that (and) we’re working towards that every day, but those guys have been a huge part of changing the trajectory of Tennessee football.”
On whose voice players hear with the in-helmet communication… “Offensively, (Joey Halzle) and myself. Defensively, it will be coach (Tim Banks). We hadn’t actually had the true gameday set, but we should have that fully operational as we go to the scrimmage.”
On his impressions of his first practice… “It was very awesome. It was a long time coming. I have been committed for a long time. So excited to get up here this summer. I have definitely been prepared for it. You know the offense is really fast-paced. I realized that today, but it was a great time.”
On when he knew Tennessee was the right choice for him… “I definitely always knew I would want to be here, but I didn’t always know if it was going to be my best option or the best place for me. But when this new coaching staff came in, I was pretty quick to learn that this would be home for me.”
On if Tennessee has lived up to his expectations… “It has ever since I got here. There have been moments where I have missed my mom, I missed my dad, I missed my little brother, but it has felt like home, and there has not been a second where I have felt out of place.”
On why he was open to switching positions from defensive line to offensive line… “Because I was willing to help the team. Anything to help the team win, I am going to take that role.”
On how settling in as an offensive lineman has felt… “I am feeling great, and the coaches have told me I have made progress. I know I have, but it’s good to hear from the coaches, especially switching over from defense to offense.”
On his recruitment to Tennessee and why he became a Vol… “Coming in, I didn’t expect it to be like a big family, but I can see now that it’s really just one big family away from home … Since I started getting recruited, since I came in the building, they really showed me love. I was like, okay, this might be it.”
On what he has learned from James Pearce Jr…. “He teaches me. I sit right beside him every day. He teaches me plays, like how he cut it down, how he learned it at first and how he uses his technique to play fast.”
On the coaches during practice… “They treat everyone the same, even James (Pearce Jr.). They treat Joshua, they treat Omarr (Norman-Lott) the same way. They treat everyone with the same respect. They aren’t playing favorites with anybody.”
On his one takeaway from the first day… “Getting all the plays down in time. It’s going so fast that you have to look at them and understand what you are doing in all the play calls and formations. It was pretty solid, though, and I liked it.”
Cocke County, TN (WOKI) UPDATE: The Tennessee Highway Patrol is investigating following a deadly crash Tuesday night in Cocke County.
According to a report from THP, only one car was involved in the crash which happened on Thinwood Drive near Highway 25/70.
Officials say the 19-year-old driver of the car was reportedly following a curve in the roadway when they hit a parked tractor-trailer.
Both the driver and a 15-year-old passenger in the vehicle died as a result of the crash.
According to officials with the Cocke County Sheriff’s Office, at least one of the victims was a Cocke County High School student.
ORIGINAL STORY: The Tennessee Highway Patrol is investigating following a deadly crash Tuesday night in Cocke County.
THP officials say the crash happened on Thinwood Drive and West Highway 25/70.
According to officials with the Cocke County Sheriff’s Office, two juveniles died in the crash. CCSO says at least one of the victims was a Cocke County High School student.
“We are all devastated for the families involved. Our community will come together for these families and do whatever we can to help them in this time of need. Everyone involved needs the prayers to lift them up during this tragedy that has taken place,” Sheriff CJ Ball said.
No other details have been released.
A Tennessee Highway Patrol cruiser. (Courtesy: WVLT / WSMV)
Jefferson City, TN (WOKI) UPDATE 7/31: The Jefferson City Police Department has released more details regarding a standoff at a Jefferson City home Tuesday morning.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation is helping the Jefferson City Police Department investigate the incident.
According to the department, officers responded to a home on Morrisett Avenue near State Route 92 after receiving a call about a suicidal man who had threatened a woman Tuesday morning.
Department representatives said the woman had escaped the home and ran to a neighbor’s to call 911.
The man reportedly did not cooperate with police, refusing to come out of the home. The JCPD special response team took action, deploying chemical munitions and continuing negotiations with no success.
The man was eventually taken from the home with a gunshot wound to the head; police say it is likely the man shot himself.
He was taken to a nearby trauma center for treatment.
ORIGINAL STORY: A suspect is in custody following a standoff with law enforcement Tuesday morning in Jefferson City.
Jefferson City Police were called to the scene near Morrisett Avenue shortly after 9:15 a.m. A man was refusing to leave the residence, barricading himself inside. The suspect was taken into custody around 11:00 a.m.
JCPD officials say the incident began as a domestic call, and officers were able to get the girlfriend out of the home.
The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office confirms the agency assisted in the response.
Police responded near Morrissett Avenue and State Route 92, according to JCPD. (Frankly Media)
Alcoa City Schools are already back in the classroom with several other schools systems starting including Blount County Schools which have their first day of class today but they are off tomorrow for Election Day.
The start of school means crossing guards and students will be in those crosswalks at schools and Buses will be back on the roads as well as those reduced speeds in school zones.
Many schools systems do start back Friday, including Clinton City Schools, Cocke, Hamblen, McMinn, Roane and Scott Counties.
Knox County Schools start back August 8th along with Campbell and Sevier Counties.
Here’s a list from our news partner WVLT:
Alcoa City Schools: 7/19, staggered start Anderson County Schools: 8/5, staggered start Blount County Schools: 7/31 Campbell County Schools: 8/8 Claiborne County Schools: 8/7 Clinton City Schools: 8/2 Cocke County Schools: 8/2 Cumberland County Schools: 8/7 Fentress County Schools: 8/5 Grainger County Schools: 8/5 Hamblen County Schools: 8/2 Hancock County Schools: 8/1 Jefferson County Schools: 8/6 Knox County Schools: 8/8 Loudon County Schools: 8/5 Lenoir City Schools: 8/5 – 8/6 Orientation, 8/7 1st full day Maryville City Schools: 8/5 staggered start McMinn County Schools: 8/2 Monroe County Schools: 8/12 Morgan County Schools: 8/1 Roane County Schools: 8/2 Scott County Schools: 8/2 Sevier County Schools: 8/8 Union County Schools: 8/7 staggered start
An investigation is underway after firefighters and residents of a home are injured and four dogs are killed in a Campbell County house fire.
Two members of the LaFollette fire department and all four people inside the home were injured in Saturday’s fire, all are expected to make full recoveries.
Unfortunately, four of the family’s five dogs died in the fire.
Officials believe the fire started either on the front porch or near the front of the home.
East Tennessee Valley Crime Stoppers is asking for help to identify a woman wanted on identity theft. Please call Crime Stoppers if you have any information. You may be eligible for a cash reward for information that leads to an arrest.
Posted on August 1, 2024 by Jim Kelly • 0 Comments
ATLANTA – Tennessee wide receiver Bru McCoy was named to the 2024 Allstate Wuerffel Trophy Watch List, as announced by the Wuerffel Foundation on Thursday. The Wuerffel Trophy is college football’s premier award for community service and one of the most meaningful awards in collegiate sports. The award is named after Danny Wuerffel, the 1996 Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback…… Continue Reading
An East Tennessee school system is asking police to investigate a hazing incident. WVLT is working to learn more about what happened and who is involved but Claiborne County Sheriff Bob Brooks says school officials at Claiborne County High School called the Sheriff’s Office to report the incident. The New Tazewell Police Department is leading…… Continue Reading
A fuel leak on I-75 North that shut down the interstate in Campbell County is contained. Officials with the Tennessee Department of Transportation say the crash involved an overturned vehicle and a tanker truck leaking fuel yesterday (Wednesday). Officials say the leak on the tanker is contained to about 20 gallons and the tanker will…… Continue Reading
The Tennessee Highway Patrol is investigating after a Dandridge firefighter has a medical episode and crashes his truck, towing a boat, into a building. Fire Chief Andrew Riley says no one was seriously injured yesterday (Wednesday) morning after the fireman, Logan Inman, lost consciousness behind the wheel and crashed the command truck, which was towing…… Continue Reading
Posted on August 1, 2024 by Jim Kelly • 0 Comments
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee football’s roster continues to grow in size, speed and athleticism since head coach Josh Heupel took over the program in 2021. That was on full display Wednesday morning, as the Volunteers began the fourth preseason of the Heupel era with a two-hour practice in helmets and shorts inside the Neyland-Thompson Sports Center. Wednesday’s first…… Continue Reading
Cocke County, TN (WOKI) UPDATE: The Tennessee Highway Patrol is investigating following a deadly crash Tuesday night in Cocke County. According to a report from THP, only one car was involved in the crash which happened on Thinwood Drive near Highway 25/70. Officials say the 19-year-old driver of the car was reportedly following a curve…… Continue Reading
Jefferson City, TN (WOKI) UPDATE 7/31: The Jefferson City Police Department has released more details regarding a standoff at a Jefferson City home Tuesday morning. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation is helping the Jefferson City Police Department investigate the incident. According to the department, officers responded to a home on Morrisett Avenue near State Route…… Continue Reading
Alcoa City Schools are already back in the classroom with several other schools systems starting including Blount County Schools which have their first day of class today but they are off tomorrow for Election Day. The start of school means crossing guards and students will be in those crosswalks at schools and Buses will be…… Continue Reading
An investigation is underway after firefighters and residents of a home are injured and four dogs are killed in a Campbell County house fire. Two members of the LaFollette fire department and all four people inside the home were injured in Saturday’s fire, all are expected to make full recoveries. Unfortunately, four of the family’s…… Continue Reading
East Tennessee Valley Crime Stoppers is asking for help to identify a woman wanted on identity theft. Please call Crime Stoppers if you have any information. You may be eligible for a cash reward for information that leads to an arrest.… Continue Reading
