Joe Milton, offensive players, discuss Orange Bowl prep for Clemson

Tennessee quarterback Joe Milton, tight end Jacob Warren and wide receiver Bru McCoy met with the media Wednesday afternoon to break down the ongoing preparations for Clemson and the Orange Bowl that’s set to be played on December 30 at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium.

The Vols began official bowl practice on Friday and held workouts most days since. Tennessee will practice once more Thursday morning before breaking for the Christmas holiday and reconvening in Miami to conclude bowl prep on site.

14 Early Enrollees are taking part in bowl practice on campus

NICO IAMALEAVA — 5-STAR QUARTERBACK

Nico Iamaleava, the five-star quarterback and headliner in Tennessee’s 2023 class. The 6-foot-5.5, 195-poudner out of Long Beach, California, is the No. 10 overall prospect in the On3 Consensus, ranked No. 5 at quarterback and No. 2 overall in California. The On3 ratings have him at No. 2 nationally, No. 2 among quarterbacks and No. 1 in the state of California. He committed to the Vols back in March, over offers from Alabama, Georgia, Miami and a long list of others.

CALEB HERRING — 4-STAR EDGE

Caleb Herring, the four-star edge rusher out of Riverdale High School in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, is ranked No. 72 overall in the On3 Consensus. He’s ranked No. 10 among edge rushers and is the No. 1 overall in-state prospect. At Tennessee he’ll join his older brother, Elijah Herring, the freshman linebacker.

JORDAN MATTHEWS — 4-STAR CORNERBACK 

Jordan Matthews, the four-star corner out of Woodlawn High School in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, who committed to Tennessee over Texas. Matthews is the No. 148 overall player in the On3 Consensus. He’s ranked No. 18 among cornerbacks and No. 7 in the state of Louisiana.

NATHAN LEACOCK — 4-STAR WIDE RECEIVER

Nathan Leacock, the four-star receiver out of Millbrook High School in Raleigh, N.C., is the No. 179 overall player in the On3 Consensus. He’s ranked No. 26 among receivers and is the No. 5 overall prospect out of the state of North Carolina, picking the Vols over both North Carolina and North Carolina State. He’s ranked No. 68 overall in the On3 ratings. He’s No. 10 at wide receiver and No. 4 in the state of North Carolina.

SHAMURAD UMAROV — 4-STAR OFFENSIVE TACKLE

Shamurad Umarov îs the 6-foot-6.5, 335-pound offensive tackle out of Denmark High School in Alpharetta, Georgia. He’s ranked No. 272 overall in the On3 Consensus and is the No. 19 offensive tackle in the class. He’s the No. 24 overall prospect in the state of Georgia. He committed to the Vols over Georgia, Michigan State and LSU. Also had offers from Florida and North Carolina, among others.

RICKEY GIBSON — 4-STAR CORNERBACK 

Rickey Gibson, the four-star cornerback out of Hewitt-Trussville High School in Trussville, Alabama, is the No. 37 cornerback in the class according to the On3 Consensus. He’s ranked No. 335 nationally and is the No. 20 overall prospect in the state of Alabama. The On3 ratings have Gibson at No. 178 overall, No. 19 at his position and No. 15 overall in Alabama. Other offers included Arkansas, Georgia, Georgia Tech and Oregon.

ARION CARTER — 4-STAR LINEBACKER

Arion Carter, the four-star linebacker out of Smyrna High School in Smyrna, Tenn., became Tennessee’s newest commitment on December 14, picking the Vols over Alabama and Ohio State. He’s ranked in the On3 Consensus as the No. 157 overall prospect in the 2023 class. He’s the No. 15 linebacker in the country and the No. 2 overall player in the state of Tennessee. He was previously committed to Memphis as a running back before switching positions and switching commitments.

JALEN SMITH — 3-STAR LINEBACKER

Jalen Smith is a 6-foot-2, 205-pound linebacker prospect out of Grayson High School in Loganville, Georgia. He’s ranked as the No. 46 linebacker in the class according to the On3 Consensus and is the No. 42 overall prospect in the state of Georgia. He’s ranked No. 459 nationally. Other offers included Pitt, Georgia Tech, LSU and Miami.

NATHAN ROBINSON — 3-STAR DEFENSIVE LINEMAN

Nathan Robinson is a 6-foot-5, 270-pound defensive lineman out of Greenbrier High School in Greenbrier, Tenn. He’s the No. 54 defensive lineman in the 2023 class according to the On3 Consensus and is the No. 16 overall prospect out of the state of Tennessee. His offer list included Tennessee, Ole Miss, Kentucky, West Virginia and Virginia Tech, among others.

CHRISTIAN CONYER — 3-STAR CRONERBACK

Christian Conyer, the three-star cornerback out of Bowling Green, Kentucky, picked Tennessee over Kentucky back in July. The 6-foot-1, 170-pounder out of South Warren High School in Bowling Green is ranked as the No. 56 corner back in the class and is the No. 3 overall prospect in Kentucky.

JOHN SLAUGHTER — 3-STAR SAFETY

John Slaughter, a three-star safety out of Southaven, Mississippi, committed to Tennessee in June. The 6-foot-1, 195-pounder out of Southaven High School picked the Vols over Ole Miss. He’s ranked No. 640 overall in the On3 Consensus and is No. 59 among safeties. He’s ranked No. 12 overall in the state of Mississippi.

VYSEN LANG — 3-STAR INTERIOR OFFENSIVE LINEMAN

Vysen Lang is Tennessee’s most recent commitment in the 2023 class. The 6-foot-4, 335-pound interior offensive lineman committed to the Vols on November 8 over offers from Auburn, Ole Miss and Florida, among others. He’s ranked by the On3 Consensus as the No. 643 overall prospect. He’s No. 57 among interior offensive linemen and No. 27 in the state of Alabama, where attends Pike Road High School in Pike Road.

JEREMIAH TELANDER — 3-STAR LINEBACKER

Jeremiah Telander is a 6-foot-2, 209-pound linebacker out of Gainesville High School in Gainesville, Georgia. He’s ranked No. 78 among linebackers in the On3 Consensus. He’s ranked No. 751 nationally and No. 71 in the state of Georgia. He had other offers from North Carolina, Louisville, Florida and Auburn.

JACK LUTTRELL — 3-STAR SAFETY 

Jack Luttrell, the three-star safety out of Colquitt County High School in Moultrie, Georgia, has been committed to Tennessee since July 2021. He’s ranked No. 870 overall in the On3 Consensus. He’s ranked No. 75 at safety and No. 84 in the state of Georgia. He had other offers from Notre Dame, Arkansas, Colorado and Georgia Tech, among others.

TIGHT END MCCALLAN CASTLES — UC DAVIS TRANSFER

UC-Davis tight end McCallan Castles, a 6-foot-6, 245-pound tight end, was Tennessee’s first commitment out of the transfer portal in the 2023 class. Castles was second-team All-Big Sky after catching 32 passes for 347 yards and two touchdowns. He had 27 catches for 363 yards and four touchdowns in 2021, after catching 12 passes for 194 yards in the COVID spring season in 2021, leading to first-team All-Big Sky honors.

KICKER CHARLES CAMPBELL — INDIANA TRANSFER

Indiana kicker Charles Campbell was Tennessee’s second commitment out of the portal, announcing his decision not long after the McCallan Castles commitment. He’s No. 8 in Indiana football history in field goals made with 37 and is 14th in career points, with 179. He’s kicked five field goals from 50 yards or farther, including a career-best 55.