First Orange & White game of the Heupel era set for April 24

New Tennessee NCAA college football head coach Josh Heupel speaks during an introductory press conference at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn., Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2021. (Caitie McLekin/Knoxville News Sentinel via AP, Pool)
New Tennessee NCAA college football head coach Josh Heupel speaks during an introductory press conference at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn., Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2021. (Caitie McLekin/Knoxville News Sentinel via AP, Pool)

Tennessee announced Wednesday afternoon that the first Orange & White spring game under new football coach Josh Heupel will take place Saturday, April 24, inside Neyland Stadium.

The Volunteers are scheduled to open spring practice March 23, with the 15 workouts covering nearly a five-week span.

Tennessee conducted two spring practices last year before the outbreak of the coronavirus halted all Southeastern Conference athletic activities, including the men's basketball tournament in Nashville. Due to the continuing effects of the pandemic, there will be COVID-19 protocols accompanying the Orange & White game, with those being announced in upcoming weeks.

Kickoff time for the contest will be revealed later as well.

Alabama, Auburn and Georgia previously announced their spring games will transpire April 17, with crowds at those contests expected to be limited to roughly 20,000. Florida has elected not to stage a game to conclude spring drills.

Tennessee's pro day will be held Thursday, March 25. The traditional NFL combine in February did not take place this year because of the coronavirus, but the NFL did reveal three former Vols - left guard Trey Smith, receiver Josh Palmer and cornerback Bryce Thompson - would have received invitations to Indianapolis.

Brown to Mizzou?

Former Tennessee running back signee Cody Brown from Parkview High School in the Atlanta suburb of Lilburn revealed Wednesday on social media that he is considering transferring to Missouri. Brown would be the second 2021 Vols signee to receive a release from his letter of intent and then pick Mizzou, with offensive tackle of J'Marion Gooch of Gallatin, Tennessee, being the first.

The highest-rated Tennessee signee, outside linebacker Dylan Brooks, signed with Auburn after receiving his release.

Contact David Paschall at dpaschall@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6524. Follow him on Twitter @DavidSPaschall.

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