Matthew Ray

Tennessee

Managing Editor and Publisher, Volunteer Country at Sports Illustrated

Cover Tennessee Vols Football/Recruting 📸 for https://t.co/YWtgzSu5sr on the On3 Network. Blessed with a beautiful wife & 🦮

Articles

Multiple former Vols sign undrafted free agent deals

2 weeks ago | on3.com | Matthew Ray

The 2025 NFL Draft is officially in the books, and four Tennessee Volunteers heard their name called throughout the weekend, including James Pearce Jr. in the first round to the Atlanta Falcons, Omarr Norman-Lott in the second round to the Chiefs, Dont’e Thornton in the fourth round to the Raiders, and Dylan Sampson in the fourth round to the Cleveland Browns. Now, with the draft officially in the books, a number of Tennessee prospects are set to sign with teams as undrafted free agents.
Vols' WR Dont'e Thornton selected in 4th round of 2025 NFL Draft

2 weeks ago | on3.com | Matthew Ray

The 2025 NFL Draft continues on, and another Tennessee Volunteer is officially off the board in the X round after wide receiver Dont’e Thornton was selected with the 108th overall pick in the 4th Round by the Las Vegas Raiders. The 6-5, 214-pound Thornton missed time at different points for the Vols’ in 2024, but he flashed his big play ability on multiple occasions, as he averaged 25.4 yards per catch.
Vols' DL Omarr Norman-Lott selected in NFL Draft

2 weeks ago | on3.com | Matthew Ray

The 2025 NFL Draft wages on, and another Tennessee Volunteer is officially off the board in the 2nd round after Omarr- Norman Lott was picked by the Kansas City Chief with the No.63 overall pick. The 2025 NFL Draft will take place from April 24–26th in Green Bay, Wisconsin, right outside the legendary Lambeau Field. It’s the first time Green Bay has hosted the draft, and they’re turning the whole Titletown area into a football fan zone for the weekend.
Vols' EDGE James Pearce selected in 2025 NFL Draft

2 weeks ago | on3.com | Matthew Ray

The 2025 NFL Draft is underway, and Tennessee standout EDGE James Pearce Jr. is officially off the board in the 1st round after being selected with the No. 26 pick by the Atlanta Falcons. The Falcons traded back into the first round after picking Jalon Walker with the No. 15 pick earlier in the round.
2026 Recruiting Road Map: Defensive Backs

3 weeks ago | on3.com | Matthew Ray

© 2025 On3 Media, Inc. All rights reserved. On3 is a registered trademark of On3 Media, Inc.
Revisiting the recruitments of Tennessee QBs Jake Merklinger, George MacIntyre

1 month ago | on3.com | Matthew Ray

The Nico Iamaleava era is officially over at Tennessee. After a spring practice hold out ahead of the Orange and White Game, Josh Heupel told his team on Saturday morning the program was moving on from the former No. 1 recruit. The expectation heading into Saturday’s spring game was that Iamaleava would not participate amidst a contract hold out. The on-field spotlight was already pointed toward freshman-RS Jake Merklinger and true freshman George MacIntyre. Now, it magnifies even more.
Priority 4-star LB target set to return to Rocky Top for Spring Game

1 month ago | on3.com | Matthew Ray

Tennessee will host a number of recruits on Saturday for its annual Orange and White game festivities inside of Neyland Stadium. One top priority has announced his plans to visit. Four-star Kell High School (Ga.) linebacker Brayden Rouse announced on Wednesday night that he will return to Knoxville on Saturday for another visit with the Volunteers. Rouse most recently visited Knoxville in January for a Junior Day, but he has been a frequent visitor on Rocky Top over the last calendar year.
First visit to Rocky Top 'checked pretty much all of the boxes' for massive 4-star OL Tommy Tofi

1 month ago | on3.com | Matthew Ray

Archbishop Riordan (Calif.) offensive lineman Tommy Tofi made the trip to the East Coast on Saturday to check out Rocky Top. Following the visit, the four-star prospect went in-depth with Volquest on the stop. “I enjoyed watching practice and Coach Elarbee,” Tofi said of what stood out about the visit.
4-star, in-state safety Craig Tutt breaks down 'amazing' visit to Tennessee, schedules OV

1 month ago | on3.com | Matthew Ray

© 2025 On3 Media, Inc. All rights reserved. On3 is a registered trademark of On3 Media, Inc.
2-Minute Drill: Vols host a number of targets on Saturday

1 month ago | on3.com | Matthew Ray

The Tennessee Vols continue working the recruiting trail, and they hosted a number of targets on Saturday just a week away from their annual spring. Volquest takes a look at the latest from Saturday’s event. The nation’s top tailback returned to Knoxville this weekend, and he spent Saturday morning watching the Vols on the practice field, and he will spend Saturday evening with Josh Heupel, De’Rail Sims and company.