With just a day until Tennessee football meets New Mexico State on the gridiron, the Vols have released their list of team captains for the game in Knoxville. UT does captains on a game-by-game basis, but often a lot of the picks repeat throughout the season.
This time, it’s two new captains and two getting their second nod. For the first time, quarterback Joey Aguilar and defensive back Jourdan Thomas were named. For the second time each, defensive backs Jalen McMurray and William Wright earned the honor.
Aguilar transferred in during the spring window after the departure of Nico Iamaleava. He had about 100 days to get up to speed on the offense, but hit the ground running after winning the starting job. He has produced 2,737 yards with 21 touchdowns and eight interceptions.
Thomas was on track to be a significant contributor in the secondary in 2024 before suffering a gruesome injury at practice. Now, he’s turned to more of a coach’s role, as detailed here.
McMurray is in his second year with Tennessee after transferring in from Temple. He has been the first nickel back on the field in every game at the Vols’ STAR position. He’s put together a strong season on both defense and special teams.
Wright has primarily seen his time on special teams this year. However, he’s also been the first cornerback off the bench following the injury of Rickey Gibson III, and with Jermod McCoy still recovering.
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Game 1 Tennessee Captains (vs. Syracuse [Atlanta])
- LS Bennett Brady
- LB Arion Carter
- TE Miles Kitselman
- S Andre Turrentine
Game 2 Tennessee Captains (vs. ETSU)
- DE Dominic Bailey
- RB DeSean Bishop
- LB Edwin Spillman
- DB William Wright
Game 3 Tennessee Captains (vs. Georgia)
- LS Bennett Brady (second time)
- LEO Joshua Josephs
- TE Miles Kitselman (second time)
- LB Jeremiah Telander
Game 4 Tennessee Captains (vs. UAB)
- LB Ben Bolton
- DB Jalen McMurray
- WR Braylon Staley
- DE Tyree Weathersby
Game 5 Tennessee Captains (at Mississippi State)
- LS Bennett Brady (third time)
- DL Bryson Eason
- OL Lance Heard
- LB Jeremiah Telander (second time)
Game 6 Tennessee Captains (vs. Arkansas)
- RB DeSean Bishop (second time)
- LS Bennett Brady (fourth time)
- DL Jaxson Moi
- DB Andre Turrentine (second time)
Game 7 Tennessee Captains (at Alabama)
- LS Bennett Brady (fifth time)
- LB Arion Carter (second time)
- TE Miles Kitselman (third time)
- DL Jaxson Moi (second time)
Game 8 Tennessee Captains (at Kentucky)
- DE Dominic Bailey (second time)
- LS Bennett Brady (sixth time)
- OL Wendell Moe Jr.
- LB Jeremiah Telander (third time)
Game 9 Tennessee Captains (vs. Oklahoma)
- LS Bennett Brady (seventh time)
- LEO Joshua Josephs (second time)
- TE Miles Kitselman (fourth time)
- LB Jeremiah Telander (fourth time)
Game 10 Tennessee Captains (vs. New Mexico State)
- QB Joey Aguilar
- DB Jalen McMurray (second time)
- DB Jourdan Thomas
- DB William Wright
