Tennessee Football Freshmen Donate Total of $10,000 to Local Cause, Proving Character Matters as Much as Talent
By ØFFIXIAL DAHNIEL | July 25, 2025
In a heartwarming act that has captured the attention of not just fans in Knoxville, but across the college football world, the University of Tennessee football freshman class has come together to donate a total of $10,000 to a local cause — a move that exemplifies the Volunteers’ culture of giving back.
While the focus around this time of year is usually on preseason rankings, playbooks, and depth charts, Tennessee’s 2025 freshmen have already made their mark — not just on the field, but in the community. The donation was made to “East Tennessee Children’s Home,” a Knoxville-based organization that supports underprivileged youth and families in crisis situations.
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🟠 A Gesture Bigger Than Football
According to a university press release, the idea came from a freshman leadership meeting earlier this summer. Several players expressed interest in doing something “bigger than themselves” before they ever played a down at Neyland Stadium.
What started as a simple conversation quickly turned into action.
> “We’ve been blessed with scholarships, facilities, gear, and a platform most people our age only dream about,” said Jermod McCoy, a highly touted defensive back out of Georgia. “It just didn’t feel right to enjoy all of that without giving back to the community we now represent.”
The entire 2025 freshman class — a group that includes four-star quarterback Kasen Weisman, standout linebacker TJ Sanders, and wide receiver Brandon Bennett — each contributed a portion of their NIL earnings, summer stipends, or personal funds.
The total collected came to $10,000, which was then presented to the children’s home in a special ceremony attended by coaches, media, and families from the center.
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🤝 More Than Just a Donation
The moment wasn’t just about handing over a check. Players spent the afternoon touring the facility, playing games with the kids, and even sharing personal stories. One player, offensive lineman Tyrone Gilbert, spoke about growing up in a group home himself and how this gesture meant everything to him.
> “I see myself in some of these kids,” he said, visibly emotional. “And if just being here today gives one of them hope, then it’s worth more than anything I’ll ever earn playing football.”
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🧡 Coach Heupel’s Culture on Display
Head Coach Josh Heupel, who has rebuilt the Tennessee program into an SEC contender over the past four years, was quick to praise his incoming freshmen for the initiative.
> “We talk all the time about being great men, not just great players. Today, this class proved they understand that,” Heupel said. “This wasn’t something we pushed. It came from them, and that’s what makes it special.”
Heupel’s tenure at Tennessee has emphasized accountability, leadership, and connection to the community, and this story only adds to the growing narrative that his players are as committed to Knoxville as they are to football.
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🗣️ Reactions Pour In
The reaction online was swift and overwhelmingly positive. Tennessee fans flooded social media with praise and pride:
> @VolFanForever: “Wins are great, but this is what it’s all about. Proud of these young men. True Volunteers!”
> @KnoxvilleHeart: “$10,000 is amazing, but their time and hearts are worth even more. Big love to this class.”
> @SEC_Nation: “Tennessee’s freshmen just set the bar for what student-athletes should be.”
Even rival fans took notice, with several Florida and Georgia supporters commenting that this kind of gesture “transcends rivalries.”
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🌟 A Message to the Nation
In an era where NIL deals, social media followings, and transfer portal drama often dominate headlines, the Tennessee freshmen have sent a loud and clear message: college football is still about heart.
This donation not only provides financial help to East Tennessee Children’s Home but also gives visibility to the needs of vulnerable youth across the region. It shows that despite the massive spotlight that comes with playing in the SEC, these players are grounded, compassionate, and already leaders in their own right.
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📢 Final Thoughts
The 2025 Tennessee freshman class has yet to play a snap inside Neyland Stadium. No touchdowns have been thrown, no sacks made, no wins tallied. And yet — they’ve already made one of the biggest impacts a group of young athletes can.
By donating $10,000 and, more importantly, their time and attention, these young Volunteers have proven that character, compassion, and community are still cornerstones of college athletics.
As the season draws near, Tennessee fans have more than just football to cheer for — they have a freshman class that is already living up to the meaning of “Vol For Life.”
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