Vols announce new mascot for upcoming football season

KNOXVILLE, Tennessee (WDEF) – There will be a new Smokey in town this fall for UT football.

The University of Tennessee will officially introduce Smokey XII at the spring football game in a couple of weeks at Neyland Stadium.

Smokey XII is a two year old bluetick coonhound named Neyland.

His predecessor mascot was not very comfortable around the large crowds for football games.

But the new dog has been in training to handle rowdy crowds and already attended Tennessee basketball games.

“Neyland, aka Smokey XII, might just be Vol Nation’s most heartwarming walk-on success story,” said Paul Plummer, dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine. “This beautiful bluetick coonhound has found his forever family on Rocky Top. With training support from devoted students and expert guidance from the nation’s best veterinarians, Smokey XII is ready to meet his new Volunteer family and bring excitement to fans everywhere he goes.”

Experts at the veterinary college will continue to watch how he handles SEC football crowds.

“Neyland has a big personality and playful spirit,” said his veterinarian, Zenithson Ng. “Through reward-based training, he is learning essential commands including sit, stay and down. The upcoming Orange and White game presents an ideal opportunity to more fully evaluate his readiness for game day excitement ahead of the 2026 football season while giving him the chance to connect with fans and handlers in an authentic setting.”