How does the Tennessee roster left to Josh Heupel compare to the one Jeremy Pruitt inherited?
Former Tennessee athletics director Phillip Fulmer said this time a year ago that then-Vols coach Jeremy Pruitt had "inherited a mess" from predecessor Butch Jones. The phrase steaming pile comes to mind. Tennessee's program remains under NCAA investigation into recruiting malfeasance that allegedly occurred during the Pruitt era, and Heupel also inherited a depleted roster. On this edition of "The Volunteer State," Blake Toppmeyer of the USA TODAY Network and the News Sentinel's John Adams compare the roster situation inherited by Heupel as compared to Pruitt's first season. Adams says the roster Heupel inherited was in worse shape than the one passed on to Pruitt. Toppmeyer agrees, adding that the roster Pruitt inherited was better stocked at arguably every position other than quarterback. One silver lining for Heupel: At least expectations should be kept in check for a while. Heupel has tried to bolster the roster he inherited through a series of transfers. END OF AN ERA:Longtime Vol Network football analyst Tim Priest announces retirement  ADAMS:Josh Heupel should be best friend to Tennessee Vols QBs since Lane Kiffin  TOPPMEYER:SEC football's new coaches aren't Nick Saban clones. That's a welcome change. Adams and Toppmeyer also address Alabama coach Nick Saban's contract extension, which would keep him on the sideline through the 2028 season, and discuss how Saban's retirement, should it ever happen, would compare to that of Duke basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski. And they debate whether Florida coach Dan Mullen deserves a salary that ranks in the top five nationally, following the new deal he received earlier this month. Blake Toppmeyer is an SEC Columnist for the USA TODAY Network. John Adams is a senior columnist for the Knoxville News Sentinel. If you enjoy their coverage, consider a digital subscription that will allow you access to all of it.