Former Tennessee Vols fan favorite signs fresh UDFA deal with the Chiefs

When it comes to superstar players, no, Will Brooks’ name didn’t come up first when it came to the Tennessee football team. Despite that, Brooks still delivered a 5-star effort whenever he donned orange and suited up for head man Josh Heupel.

There were several incredible moments Brooks provided Vols Nation last season and people in Knoxville are always going to be thankful for what he was able to get done in town. Moving forward, No. 35 is now looking to make a splash in the NFL too.

While Brooks didn’t hear his name called during the NFL Draft, that doesn’t mean that he’s ready to give up on his dreams just yet. Not long after the draft wrapped up, news broke that Brooks has signed an undrafted free-agent deal with the Kansas City Chiefs:

Will Brooks has signed an UDFA contract with the Kansas City Chiefs

The 6-1, 200-pounder spent five years with the program and he arrived on campus as a walk-on. Despite not being on scholarship, that didn’t stop Brooks from making a huge impact with the Vols during his career, especially in 2024.

Last season for defensive coordinator Tim Banks, Brooks posted 59 total tackles and four interceptions. His best INT of the year was no question the one that sealed the memorable win for Tennessee over Alabama. His pick-six against North Carolina State was pretty darn special too:

Yeah, that INT returned for a touchdown is one he’ll always remember, but again, that one vs. Bama sure is tough to beat. Brooks was easily one of the best walk-on players in the country and UT supporters are always going to love the mentality he played the game with.

Brooks was a blue-collar worker on the gridiron and he always played the right way. He’s a true Vol for life – the kind of guy who knew what it meant to represent the university and the Vols as a whole. Making the KC roster won’t be easy, but Brooks has proven time and time again that he can defy the odds stacked against him.

Tennessee basketball could be returning its “sixth starter” next year. Jordan Gainey took to social media to hint that he could be coming back to be Tennessee’s sixth man of the year this year and next year.

The video, originally posted by Julia Sclortino, features her and Gainey on the basketball court inside Food City Center dancing, with “5th year loading” in the middle of the video. The caption will further excite Vol Nation, as Sclortino posted “6th man of the year this year AND next” with eyeball emojis and tagged Gainey.

This could be nothing, but it could also mean Gainey is applying for a fifth year of eligibility and plans to return to the hardwood next year.

If Gainey returns for the 2025-26 season, it could be Tennessee’s biggest addition of the offseason. The Vols currently have limited depth in their guard positions, so returning an experienced and valuable asset like Gainey to the lineup could be a massive addition for the Vols.

Gainey spent the last two seasons at Tennessee after starting his career at USC Upstate. He took a big jump from his junior to senior season, averaging 11.6 points, 1.9 assists, and 2.8 rebounds per game off the bench.

He was one of Tennessee’s biggest contributors down the stretch as Tennessee started to get hot in February and March, being one of Tennessee’s premier shooters when everyone else went cold.

Gainey averaged 14.6 points per game through the month of March, including the SEC and NCAA Tournaments. Not only did he outperform his season average, but he got better every game and became the Vols’ most reliable shooter.

It seems Gainey isn’t satisfied with back-to-back Elite 8 appearances in the NCAA Tournament, as he could be looking to return for a fifth year. It is unclear if there is a timetable to announce his return or if there is a possibility he will come back next year.