Happy Veteran's Day! 🚨 Name Change 🚨: VR2 on SI is NOW Volunteer Country on SI. Jack and Matt go into detail on the name change at the beginning of the pod. Podcast Description: Host Jack Foster is joined by Volunteer Country lead publisher Matt Ray for the first time in a while to discuss the latest on recruiting, going into depth on the likes of Walter Nolen, DeMario Tolan, Zahquan Frazier and more! Jack and Matt also discuss what Georgia brings to the table when they come to Knoxville this ...
Nov 11, 2021•46 min•Season 1Ep. 53
Host Jack Foster and Jake Nichols are back for another VR2 on SI Pod talking the battle of the border between the Vols and the Wildcats. Now that Tennessee is presumably the healthiest they have been all season, will this Vols team be unlike something anybody has seen all year? How much impact will Kentucky's rushing attack have on the Vols? Who are the x-factors if the Vols are to pull out a big SEC road win? Later on, Jack and Jake touch on Tennessee's 103-62 win over Lenoir Rhyne in the exhib...
Nov 05, 2021•20 min•Season 1Ep. 50
Host Jack Foster and Jake Nichols return for the weekly podcast to discuss Tennessee's Week 8 loss to Alabama, going over the positives from the first three quarters and change, and the negatives from the final stretch of the fourth quarter. The passing game was electric, but the run game took a hit. Which aspect of the Vols' offense means more? The defense bend but did not break until the fourth quarter, when Heisman candidate Bryce Young buried Tennessee in the end. However, the energy Tenness...
Oct 29, 2021•23 min•Season 1Ep. 48
Host Jack Foster and Jake Nichols breakdown the wild Tennessee-Ole Miss ending, going into depth on what it means for the fans, coaches and the players. Alabama looms as Week 8 draws near, and while Tennessee is a heavy underdog, health will be key in putting up a decent fight. Listen for a full breakdown and preview along with the Jeremy Pruitt saga in the latest VR2 on SI Pod!
Oct 21, 2021•40 min•Season 1Ep. 45
Host Jack Foster and Jake Nichols recap Tennessee's 45-20 win over South Carolina, going over the second straight impressive offensive performance from the Vols. As for Week 7, Ole Miss is coming to town, and Jake expects a high-scoring, close affair in a sold out, Checkered Neyland that will host the return of former Tennessee head coach Lane Kiffin.
Oct 15, 2021•26 min•Season 1Ep. 42
Host Jack Foster and Jake Nichols are back with another VR2 on SI pod talking about Tennessee's blowout win over the Missouri Tigers last Saturday, focusing on the success in the running game as well as the rush defense. This Saturday presents a ho-hum SEC opponent in South Carolina, but the Gamecocks look far from capable of handling the Volunteers in Knoxville.
Oct 07, 2021•23 min•Ep. 38
Host Jack Foster and Jake Nichols recap the Vols 38-14 loss to Florida, examining both the positives and negatives. Emory Jones had a field day, but the first half defense showed some promise, and Hendon Hooker played well yet again. The upcoming matchup against Mizzou is a key one for Tennessee's bowl chances down the stretch, in addition to how they adapt in their second consecutive road game. Listen for Jake's insight on how the Vols can take advantage of the Mizzou defense on the ground, as ...
Sep 29, 2021•22 min•Season 1Ep. 36
It's been almost 20 years since Tennessee beat Florida in The Swamp. The last time the Vols did, though, former Tennessee running back Jabari Davis was a part of the effort. VR2 on SI's Jake Nichols chatted with Davis, a self-proclaimed #GatorKilla, about this edition of Tennessee-Florida, with a bit at the end about the late Parys Haralson. Enjoy!
Sep 24, 2021•27 min
Host Jack Foster and Jake Nichols tell you everything you need to know from Tennessee's 56-0 blowout of Tennessee Tech, focusing on which part of the Vols' game served as confidence boosters heading into SEC play. Florida us up this Saturday, and while Jake is not optimistic about the chances to win on the road, if Tennessee can connect on deep throws, have a strong pass-rush presence and run the ball efficiently, the Vols can make strides as a team in the Swamp.
Sep 22, 2021•25 min•Season 1Ep. 35
Host Jack Foster and Jake Nichols walk you through the Vols' Week 3 matchup that should not be close, but will serve as a great opportunity for Tennessee to fine tune many aspects of their game heading into their first road matchup against the Gators in Week 4. Byron Young will make his Tennessee debut Saturday, what does this mean for Tennessee's pass-rush? Listen for a full preview and more!
Sep 17, 2021•14 min•Season 1Ep. 33
Host Jack Foster and Jake Nichols discuss the inaugural 'Johnny Majors Classic,' touching on Tennessee's quarterback situation, the pass defense, elite special teams play and how Tennessee could not edge out Pitt due to penalties and turnovers. There are positives to be taken from the game for the Vols, but ultimately there are a lot of things for Josh Heupel and his squad to work on if they are going to compete with above-average SEC schools. Listen for all that and more on the latest edition o...
Sep 14, 2021•32 min•Season 1Ep. 32
Host Jack Foster and Jake Nichols tell you everything of significance you need to know heading into Tennessee's Week 2 matchup against Pitt. For Tennessee to secure a win, the passing game has to be clicking, the linebackers have to be making plays and, most importantly, Neyland has to be rocking. Listen for a full preview of the game along with the significance behind the game being dubbed the 'Johnny Majors Classic.'
Sep 10, 2021•22 min•Season 1Ep. 31
This Saturday's matchup between Tennessee and Pittsburgh will mark the first installment of the Johnny Majors Classic. Majors, of course, won a national title at Pitt and captured three SEC championships in Knoxville -- but only after completing a Hall of Fame career as a tailback for the Vols. Majors' coaching career at Tennessee coincided with the collegiate years of Ryan McGee, who worked as a video assistant for the football team before moving on to work for ESPN. Unfortunately, Majors passe...
Sep 08, 2021•21 min
Host Jack Foster and Jake Nichols bring you another edition of the VR2 on SI Podcast going into depth on Tennessee's 38-6 win over the Bowling Green Falcons in the 2021 season opener. Joe Milton had a solid first quarter but struggled as the game went on. Jake dishes on what he needs to work on to become more consistent and applauds the running game for being the bright spot of the offense. The Tennessee secondary was great defensively, which gives Jake a lot to look forward to as the season pro...
Sep 03, 2021•22 min•Season 1Ep. 30
Host Jack Foster and Jake Nichols are back for another VR2 on SI Pod to preview Tennessee's first regular season game: a home opener against the Bowling Green Falcons. What should Vol Nation expect to see from Josh Heupel's first game as Head Coach? What will Joe Milton have in store for his first start under center in Orange and White? Only time will tell, but Jake believes fans should expect a blowout that will serve as a great opportunity for many Vols to get their feet wet with the 2021 seas...
Sep 01, 2021•21 min•Season 1Ep. 29
Now that fall camp has concluded, host Jack Foster and Jake go over Tennessee's offensive line and defensive line performances in camp and provide an update on the QB situation on Rocky Top.
Aug 26, 2021•18 min•Season 1Ep. 27
Host Jack Foster and Jake Nichols are back with another football episode of the VR2 on SI Podcast giving an update on fall practices during the past two weeks, the quarterback competition and a specific focus on the performances out of the RB and WR groups. Jake also gives pro comparisons of Harrison Bailey, Hendon Hooker and Joe Milton to close out the show.
Aug 18, 2021•29 min•Season 1Ep. 24
Host Jack Foster and Jake Nichols are back with an action-packed episode of the VR2 on SI Podcast going over Tennessee's Media Day to kickoff fall camp. Jake goes into depth regarding what was said about the Vols on offense, most importantly the quarterback battle, defense and the transparent, comfortable and confident vibe Tennessee football is bringing to the 2021 season.
Aug 04, 2021•23 min•Season 1Ep. 24
Host Jack Foster and Matt Ray bring you another episode of the VR2 on SI Podcast, talking the latest big names to commit to Tennessee, such as Kalib Perry, Jack Luttrell and, most importantly, Addison Nichols. Matt loves what he sees in all three, but he emphasizes the impact Nichols will bring to Tennessee not only on the field, but in the locker room as well. Listen to all the info you need to know about the three commits on the latest edition of the VR2 on SI Podcast!
Aug 03, 2021•32 min•Season 1Ep. 22
It's been awhile, but Jack and Jake are back for the newest football edition of the VR2 on SI Podcast. Jake goes over the standout guys in the LB and DB position groups, going into depth on the newcomers in the process, and Jack has a beef with Texas about who the true UT is. Football season is upon us, and this episode is the first of many VR2 on SI pods talking about fall practices leading up to Bowling Green on September 2.
Jul 29, 2021•22 min•Season 1Ep. 21
Jack and Jake are back with another VR2 pod going over Tennessee's incredible showing in the first two days of the MLB Draft and about what's to come. Jake dishes his opinions on how Chad Dallas, Liam Spence, Max Ferguson, Connor Pavolony and Jake Rucker will fit in with their new teams in the pros. In addition, Jake and Jack go over the UT signees who were drafted and what that means for Tennessee Baseball's future.
Jul 13, 2021•19 min•Season 1Ep. 20
Tennessee Volunteers offensive lineman Parker Ball discusses the NIL process, his early opportunities, and more
Jul 02, 2021•1 hr 17 min
It's been awhile since VR2's last pod, but Jack and Matt are back to talk about the plethora of visits to Knoxville from recruits, commits and non-comics alike. Matt dishes out his superlatives for the Vols' upcoming season based on what happened in the Spring, and three-star LB Tennessee 2022 commit Elijah Herring makes an appearance to talk about what he fell in love with on Rocky Top along with how it feels to be the first commit of Tennessee's 2022 class. All that and more on the latest edit...
Jun 30, 2021•39 min•Season 1Ep. 18
Host Jack Foster and Jake Nichols break down Tennessee's Super Regional sweep of LSU and talk about what that means for the Vols' confidence in the CWS. Jake has high hopes for the Omavols in the CWS but notes that Vanderbilt is an intimidating obstacle on the road to a CWS championship.
Jun 18, 2021•18 min•Season 1Ep. 16
Host Jack Foster and Matt Ray discuss the significance of the news that Neyland will be at full capacity in the fall and the Malachi Wideman situation, as Matt gives his insight on where it all went wrong between Wideman and Tennessee.
Jun 16, 2021•16 min•Season 1Ep. 16
Host Jack Foster and Matt Ray are back with another football edition of the VR2 On SI Podcast talking about the multiple visits happening on Rocky Top from both committed and non-committed players. Matt also updates us on the transfer portal and breaks down the secondary and linebacker group from what he saw in the Spring.
Jun 10, 2021•36 min•Season 1Ep. 14
Host Jack Foster and Jake Nichols bring you another edition of the VR2 On SI Podcast talking Vol Baseball's Regional Finals win against Liberty to move on and host the Super Regional Tournament in Knoxville against LSU. Jake notes that LSU has a chip on their shoulder coming to Knoxville, but if Tennessee can remain stellar on the mound, hot at the plate, and electric in the stands, they are Omaha bound.
Jun 08, 2021•23 min•Season 1Ep. 14
Host Jack Foster and Jake Nichols recap the Vols dominant win against the Liberty Flames in Round 2 of the NCAA Regional Tournament in Knoxville. Tennessee had hot bats early, but a dry spell from innings 4-7 worries Jake for the Vols chances at going far on the road to Omaha. Jack and Jake also take a look at the possible matchup against Duke or Liberty again in the Regional Final and how the atmosphere is in Lindsey Nelson Stadium during the tournament. All that and more in the latest edition ...
Jun 06, 2021•16 min•Season 1Ep. 13
Host Jack Foster and Jake Nichols recap Vol Baseball's 9-8 win against Wright State via a Drew Gilbert walk-off grand slam in the first round of the Regional Tournament. Jake notes how unbelievably electric the atmosphere was in Knoxville and how that grand slam may have been one of the best moments in Tennessee athletics history. Jack and Jake also look forward to the Vols date with Liberty in round 2 of the tourney and more in the latest episode of the VR2 on SI Podcast!
Jun 05, 2021•25 min•Season 1Ep. 12
Host Jack Foster and Jake Nichols preview Vol Baseball's regional over the weekend that will be hosted at Lindsey Nelson Stadium. Jake goes over how he expects the atmosphere to be, key players, and the other teams in the tournament (Wright State, Liberty, and Duke). All that and more in the latest edition of the VR2 On SI Podcast!
Jun 04, 2021•15 min•Season 1Ep. 11
