Any JJ McCleskey updates?

[Huntsville Vol]

Any news on JJ being hired on? Yall think it might happen? I hear he would be vital to instate recruiting. Dont know about his coaching ability.

 

[Bigorange123]

BOOM!!!

oh nevermind

 

[jrwvol]

He’s been in Louisiana for awhile so not sure how he would help instate recruiting.

 

[Mose Phillip's Watch]

Its not happening



Ok I have no clue as my insider for info retired from the UT AD office recently but hoping my reverse psychology works & he is hired

 

[1985Vols]

Its not happening



Ok I have no clue as my insider for info retired from the UT AD office recently but hoping my reverse psychology works & he is hired

Fulmer Was your insider?

 

[R481967]

The events surrounding Volunteer Football this year have convinced me that I know nothing about what is/has/will happen with the Vols. No sources. No nothing. But after living through all this, and including a hospital bout with Sepsis, and Covid 19, I am praying for a "return to normalcy." And that includes the Vols. GBO.

 

[Hacksaw]

One of my favorites during his playing days, so I would love it, if true.

 

['Boro-vol]

I lived in Reese Hall and knew JJ through a buddy. I kept JJ from beating up my overserved and obnoxious roommate late one night headed back to the dorm.

 

[jim pique]

It would be a nice JJ coach. Don't know anything about the situation,but,however it turns out is good with me.Still would like to see.JJ back in orange.

 

[feathersax]

J.J. McCleskey arrived at Tennessee in 1988 as an undersized walk-on from Knoxville’s Karns High School. He developed into a regular contributor on offense, defense and special teams for the Vols. Whether or not he returns, JJ was all Vol. Played 7 seasons in NFL.

 

[ThreatLevelOrange]

Need a coach to remind the players what a privilege it is to wear the uniform. He got 110% out of whatever abilities he had. That’s an element missing from the team for years.

 

[LordBolton]

J.J. McCleskey arrived at Tennessee in 1988 as an undersized walk-on from Knoxville’s Karns High School. He developed into a regular contributor on offense, defense and special teams for the Vols. Whether or not he returns, JJ was all Vol. Played 7 seasons in NFL.

Does he have any eligibility left? COVID add a year to it?

 

[Majors]

Wondering when the locals or former players for that matter were going to advocate for JJ. With that said, JJ may be comfortable where he is at in life and professionally. Great Tennessee story of a local kid being a walk-on and becoming a captain.

 

[OldandStillaVol]

If everyone on the current team had half the heart and determination that J J had,.......

 

[Mose Phillip's Watch]

J.J. McCleskey arrived at Tennessee in 1988 as an undersized walk-on from Knoxville’s Karns High School. He developed into a regular contributor on offense, defense and special teams for the Vols. Whether or not he returns, JJ was all Vol. Played 7 seasons in NFL.

He was Johnny Majors favorite UT player of all time I've heard from numerous insiders

 

[OldandStillaVol]

Classic example of the saying, “it’s not the size of the dog in the fight, but the size of the fight in the dog.”

As a DB, he was incredibly tenacious against taller and bigger WRs. Loved that kid.

 

[feathersax]

He was Johnny Majors favorite UT player of all time I've heard from numerous insiders

Many times on the Sunday "coach's show" I heard him say "Way to go, JJ!"

 

[utvolpj]

Grew up down the street from him and loved watching him play. Would be a heck of a story for a kid who used to complain about others being too rough in the backyard games

 

[tennrich1]

He was Johnny Majors favorite UT player of all time I've heard from numerous insiders

I've heard Johnny say that as well. He loved what he overcame to become what he did.

 

[harrit4]

I played little league baseball with JJ. JJ, myself and this guy named Edward (we called him big E, this was back in the Elvin Hayes Washington Bullets days) were the only 3 black guys in the Sequoyah Hills little league back in those days, not even sure if the league still exist, had a coach name House, (Lawrence House I believe) and a man named Vance Link ran the league. JJ played the hot corner (3rd base), nothing got passed him, great glove, and his throws across the mound weren't always on target, but I played 1st base, and dug a lot of those out of the dirt to get the out. JJ was a tough customer even back in the 5th and 6th grade, great teammate, it would be nice if he came back, but timing and the right fit is everything, I'm sure he'll be back when the time is right.

 

[Mose Phillip's Watch]

Vance Link is still pitching to kids 50 years later

 

[harrit4]

Vance Link is still pitching to kids 50 years later

Typo'ed Vance Link, my bad. Yeah, back in the day we had the old wind-up pitching machine too. That was great, but Vance would do it when the machine went down. Those were some good times no doubt.

 

[JonGrudensAgent]

I lived in Reese Hall and knew JJ through a buddy. I kept JJ from beating up my overserved and obnoxious roommate late one night headed back to the dorm.

Can your roommate coach DBs and/or help in state recruiting?

 

['Boro-vol]

Can your roommate coach DBs and/or help in state recruiting?

Absolutely...not.

 

[GrayWaterCanine]

I played little league baseball with JJ. JJ, myself and this guy named Edward (we called him big E, this was back in the Elvin Hayes Washington Bullets days) were the only 3 black guys in the Sequoyah Hills little league back in those days, not even sure if the league still exist, had a coach name House, (Lawrence House I believe) and a man named Vance Link ran the league. JJ played the hot corner (3rd base), nothing got passed him, great glove, and his throws across the mound weren't always on target, but I played 1st base, and dug a lot of those out of the dirt to get the out. JJ was a tough customer even back in the 5th and 6th grade, great teammate, it would be nice if he came back, but timing and the right fit is everything, I'm sure he'll be back when the time is right.

I assumed JJ's life was pretty firmly established in Louisiana now. Is any of his family still around Knoxville? If so, it would be the ones fairly far up in age at this point. I'm just not sure there is any attraction to Knoxville for JJ at this time. He is a great guy, and an acquaintance back in the day.