It wouldn’t be a total shock if Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel pulls a Tony Vitello when the Vols play Furman on Saturday in Neyland Stadium.

Confused?

Let me explain.

Three years ago, Vitello landed a commitment from Clemson transfer infielder Billy Amick just weeks after Amick and the Tigers played against Tennessee in the NCAA Tournament.

I’m not saying Vitello tampered with Amick, but he was clearly impressed by the infielder, and the Vols made Amick a priority after seeing him up close.

“I know the way they play and how they go about things,” said Amick about the Vols shortly after transferring to Tennessee. “Something that stuck out to me (in the NCAA tourney) was how they go about the game and how they play. It definitely attracted me.”

Heupel could be in position to make a similar impression on an opposing player this weekend.

Senior defensive end Joshua Stoneking, a Raleigh, NC native, is probably Furman’s best player. He totaled 14.5 sacks and 23 tackles for loss last season.

Stoneking was the only player that Heupel specifically mentioned this week while meeting with reporters.

“Defensively, they returned a bunch on their front, and they have a really good edge player,” said Heupel. “He’s the preseason player of the year in their conference.”

I don’t think Stoneking would be a star player if he transferred to Tennessee for the 2027 season, but he could potentially play in a rotation and give the Vols some added depth. If Tennessee likes what they see up close from him on Saturday, maybe they could make a move for the 6-foot-3 defensive lineman (if he decides to transfer, of course).

Stoneking will have one more year of eligibility remaining after the 2026 season.