Vols’ Kelly grateful to finish his career on his own terms

By STEVE MEGARGEENovember 8, 2018 GMT

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee safety Todd Kelly Jr. always believed he'd play for his hometown school again and end his college career on his own terms, no matter how much his knee problems threatened to derail those plans.

Two Vols players out for year, another out indefinitely

September 18, 2017 GMT

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee will have to regroup from its devastating 26-20 loss to Florida without a few of its key performers.

Volunteers coach Butch Jones says linebacker Cortez McDowell and wide receiver Jauan Jennings will miss the rest of the season and that safety Todd Kelly Jr. is out indefinitely.

Jennings had been ruled out indefinitely before the season. Jones said Monday that the junior wideout won't play all year.

Many players on No. 25 Tennessee continue family tradition

By STEVE MEGARGEEAugust 28, 2017 GMT

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee safety Todd Kelly Jr. remembers how he often played the video highlights of his father's senior season with the Volunteers.

He'd see some of his dad's memorable moments during a career that included 22 ½ sacks, two SEC championships and a Sugar Bowl victory. He'd watch that tape over and over again until technology caught up with him.

Vols believe they can thrive amid lack of preseason acclaim

By STEVE MEGARGEEJuly 20, 2017 GMT

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee doesn't mind adopting an underdog mentality a year after the Volunteers failed to meet preseason expectations.

The Volunteers have been picked to finish third in the Southeastern Conference Eastern Division by the league's media. They didn't have any first-team selections on the media's preseason all-SEC team.

Tennessee ends turbulent season on winning note

By STEVE MEGARGEEJanuary 1, 2017 GMT

Tennessee discovered this year just how challenging it is to take that final step into championship contention.

The Volunteers hope the lessons learned through a turbulent season will make them better equipped to make that jump next year.

Slumping Tennessee remains confident it can bounce back

By STEVE MEGARGEENovember 1, 2016 GMT

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — All the excitement surrounding Tennessee during its surge into the top 10 has morphed into anxiety about a program that has fallen out of the rankings entirely.

Tennessee (5-3) has dropped three straight games, including a stunning 24-21 setback Saturday against two-touchdown underdog South Carolina. A roster decimated by injuries now is being hit by other defections, most notably Monday's announcement that leading rusher Jalen Hurd intends to transfer.

No. 9 Vols want to make statement against No. 1 Alabama

By STEVE MEGARGEEOctober 14, 2016 GMT

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee believes it has regained its status as one of the Southeastern Conference's top programs.

An opportunity for the Volunteers to prove that comes Saturday.

Tennessee safety Kelly switching number to honor slain teen

August 2, 2016 GMT

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee safety Todd Kelly Jr. is switching his uniform number from 6 to 24 this season to honor Zaevion Dobson, a Knoxville high school football player who was shot to death last year while shielding two girls from gunfire.

Kelly is from Knoxville and says he had known Dobson since elementary school.

"I felt like it was my duty just to represent him," Kelly said after Monday's practice. "It's nothing about me. It's all about him. I'm just...