If you’re a Vols fan, you’ve probably heard of the Volquest podcast. This podcast chronicles Vols volleyball’s past, present, and future. For a different take on Vols volleyball, try the Morbid podcast produced by the Morbid Network. Its hosts discuss the dark past of Vols volleyball. You’ll find out how to listen to Volquest podcasts and learn about Vols volleyball’s history and players.
Ty Simpson’s departure from Volquest
After spending four seasons with Southern California, five-star quarterback Ty Simpson has decided to leave Volquest. He had committed to Clemson prior to the pandemic and had been a top recruit since middle school. While this is undoubtedly a blow for Volquest, it’s not entirely a bad thing for the program. Tennessee was able to recruit Simpson for several years before he left. In the end, recruiting Tennessee paid off in multiple ways.
In the class of 2022, Tennessee will have several top targets, including 5-star quarterback Ty Simpson. According to 247Sports, Simpson is the No. 3 pro-style passer in the country. In addition to Tennessee, Alabama, Ole Miss and Clemson have all been reportedly eyeing the prospect. He’s ranked among the top 30 overall prospects for the 2022 recruiting cycle. However, the Tennessee volleyball program will be hard-pressed to land a quarterback.
Though Simpson may have been cut from Volquest, his athleticism and improvisation skills have earned him a place on the Vols’ podcast. He has above-average speed and understands how to utilize blockers through multiple levels. His excellent anticipation and speed let him hit receivers in stride. He also demonstrates excellent throwing mechanics and is capable of making accurate throws from any arm angle. If you’re interested in learning more about Simpson and his career, check out his website.
Wesley Walker’s commitment to Tennessee
In case you missed it, defensive back Wesley Walker has committed to Tennessee. He was a three-star recruit out of high school, but chose Georgia Tech over Tennessee. During his three seasons at Georgia Tech, Walker recorded 95 tackles, six pass breaks, two forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery. Though he doesn’t have the most athletic ability, Walker’s college experience should give him the experience to compete for a starting secondary job at Tennessee.
Wesley Walker is a native of Nashville, Tennessee, and he played three seasons at Georgia Tech. He played mostly at nickelback and finished sixth on the Yellow Jackets in tackles last season. Volquest has logged seventy-nine percent of defensive snaps during his time with the Yellow Jackets. He recently entered the transfer portal to join the Vols, where they need more depth at the defensive backfield.
Former Vol defensive
A three-star recruit, Walker is the stepbrother of former Vol defensive end Tyler Baron. His junior year in 2017 ended in injury, but he came back to earn all-region honors his senior year. The Tennessee staff actively recruited Walker under Butch Jones, and current secondary coach Willie Martinez was a volunteer at the university in 2016. However, the Vols didn’t pursue Walker heavily under Jeremy Pruitt. In August, Walker committed to Georgia Tech.
Jay Hardy’s decision to sign with Auburn
After verbally committing to Auburn in November, scouts are now talking about the newest member of the Tiger family, defensive end Jay Hardy. The four-star recruit was recruited by Auburn defensive line coach Rodney Garner and signed a Letter of Intent on December 18. Though Hardy had wanted to wait until February 5 to announce his decision, he made the decision early. Garner visited Hardy before he signed his Letter of Intent.
On Monday, two players from the 2020 class made their decision official: four-star offensive lineman Jay Hardy and defensive end Jaren Handy. Both players were considered lock picks, but their recruiting journeys were unlike any other. Hardy was the fourth-highest-rated player in the 2020 class, ahead of Tennessee running back Tank Bigsby and linebacker Wesley Steiner. Although he had only played one game as a freshman, he still ranked among the top 13 players at his position.
Final Words:
A new NCAA program has been created to allow athletes to transfer to Auburn, but this new rule may limit Auburn’s ability to sign Hardy in the fall. In the meantime, the team can fill in the gaps with other top-tier players looking to join the SEC. But for now, the Tigers must make do with the roster they have. As long as the players are committed, Hardy’s decision to sign with Auburn is likely to be welcomed by Tiger fans.
