Candace Parker, a famous player who transformed women’s basketball at the high school, collegiate, professional, and international levels, announced her retirement on Sunday. She had spent the previous 16 years playing in the WNBA and internationally, including two gold medal appearances with the United States Olympic Team.
Parker was at Rocky Top from 2004 to 2008, and her fingerprints are all over the school’s record book. Her No. 3 jersey banner sits in the rafters of Food City Center at Thompson-Boling Arena, where it was raised on January 2, 2014. Her coach, the late Pat Summitt, was there for the event and looked on proudly.
The 6-foot-4 guard/forward/center from Naperville, Illinois, redshirted her first year in Knoxville before going on to have a fantastic three-season run for Summitt’s program, leading the Big Orange to NCAA National Championships in 2007 and 2008 before embarking on a 16-year WNBA career.Tennessee Football 2024 NFL Undrafted Free Agent Tracker
The 2024 NFL Draft has ended, and Tennessee football sent three VFLs to the NFL this year. With the draft over, clubs and prospects now turn to free agency to sign undrafted free agents to fill out their camp rosters, while prospects strive to secure a roster position in the league.
All three Vols were picked on day three, which is not surprising considering their selection positions. Jaylen Wright had the potential to be a day two pick, but NFL general managers did not appear to respect this year’s running back class, with several dropping to day three.
After the NFL Draft, clubs and players rush to fill out their camp rosters. This allows undrafted players to demonstrate their value to the team that contracts them to a “prove it” contract.
Tennessee currently has nine players on undrafted free agent (UDFA) contracts with teams around the league. Here are all of the Vols who have signed contracts with new teams in hopes of making the NFL squad.
McCallan Castles only played one season in Knoxville as Tennessee’s tight end, but he made the most of it. He caught 22 receptions for 283 yards and five touchdowns during his one season at Rocky Top. His five receiving touchdowns were the second most on the club last season.
Castles was expected to be taken in the seventh round, but nothing came of the Tennessee tight end’s outstanding season, so he signed a UDFA deal with the Philadelphia Eagles.
