Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel and VFL Alontae Taylor spent their Saturday afternoon watching the Vols’ basketball game against Florida from the Food City Center.
With 13 minutes elapsed in the first half, Tennessee showed Heupel and Taylor on to jumbotron in the center of the arena.
Heupel and Taylor had front-row seats to No. 8 Tennessee’s statement 64-44 win over No. 5 Florida on Saturday in SEC action.
the place to be ⛰️
Alontae 🤝 @coachjoshheupel#GBO 🍊 pic.twitter.com/4isSZubpor
— Tennessee Football (@Vol_Football) February 1, 2025
Here’s a look at the video and crowd reception:
Vol Football in the house
Josh Heupel and VFL Alontae Taylor receive a massive reaction from the crowd here in Knoxville ⬇️ @rockytopinsider pic.twitter.com/OUiXA5WoO4
— Ric Butler (@Ric_Butler) February 1, 2025
More from RTI: Where Tennessee Football’s Transfer Class Ranks Nationally
Taylor was a key senior cornerback for Tennessee’s defense during Heupel’s first season on Rocky Top in 2021. During his final season, Taylor racked up a career-high in tackles (60), interceptions (2), and pass deflections (6).
The Manchester, TN, native was drafted in the second round with the 49th overall draft pick by the New Orleans Saints during the 2022 NFL Draft. In three seasons in the NFL, Taylor has 210 tackles, five sacks, three forced fumbles, and two interceptions in 47 career games played.
Tennessee basketball snapped a two-game slide with a 20-point win over Florida on Saturday afternoon and will return to the court in Knoxville against No. 20 Missouri this Wednesday evening. The No. 8 Vols are 18-4 on the season after their win over the Gators.