Editor’s Note: The Insider is a recurring entertainment feature built around publicly available information, informed analysis and educated speculation. It does not claim access to confidential sources inside the Tennessee basketball program, nor should any predictions be interpreted as factual reporting of non-public information.
I was minding my own business Tuesday morning when a gray Nissan Altima rolled slowly past my house. Then it rolled past again.
Third time around, the passenger window came down and somebody threw a crumpled Food City receipt into my driveway. I waited until the car disappeared around the corner before going outside. You can never be too careful in this business.
I unfolded the receipt. Written across the back in blue ink were three things: SEPT. 4. TWO PGs. WAFFLE HOUSE — 11:30.
Underneath that it said DON’T TEXT ME. So naturally I texted him, “Got it.” He responded almost immediately: “Dude.”
That’s when I knew this was serious.
I arrived at Waffle House at exactly 11:27. My guy was already there, sitting at the counter. I didn’t like that. Too exposed. I told him we needed a booth for operational security, and he asked what the hell I was talking about.
We moved to the booth.
He ordered the All-Star Special with scrambled eggs, raisin toast and hash browns scattered, smothered and covered. I’m only telling you that because when you’re dealing with anonymous sources, seemingly insignificant details can become important later.
I ordered coffee. He immediately looked concerned and asked why I wasn’t eating. I told him I wasn’t hungry. He said two men sitting in a Waffle House with only one of them eating would draw attention.
This was exactly what happened at IHOP.
I ordered a waffle. You’ve got to listen to your sources.
Once the waitress walked away, my guy leaned across the table and quietly said, “September 4.” I said, “Daughtry.” His eyes got huge. “How’d you know that?”
I just smiled. Sometimes you have to remind these guys they’re not the only ones with sources.
I told him I already knew Cayden Daughtry, the five-star 2027 point guard, was scheduled for an official visit to Tennessee. He nodded slowly, leaned closer and said, “He’s not the only one.”
I stopped buttering my waffle. “Gordon.”
He sat straight up. “Dude, seriously, how are you doing this?”
I didn’t answer.
Journalism.
Micah Gordon is scheduled to be in Knoxville that weekend too, which means Tennessee will have two highly regarded 2027 point guards on campus at the same time.
Now we’re getting somewhere.
I asked my guy what Tennessee had planned for them. He took two bites of hash browns before telling me the staff would probably show them around, show them the facilities and talk basketball.
I wrote down FACILITIES and underlined it twice. “What else?” He thought for a second. “Probably eat.”
I put a star beside that one.
This is the kind of information you’re just not getting from the national guys.
I asked whether Daughtry and Gordon would be together during the visit. He said sometimes. I asked how much was sometimes. He said he didn’t know.
I closed my notebook.
Stonewalling.
So I changed tactics. “Who does Tennessee want more?” He looked confused and asked what I meant. I explained that I wanted to know whether the staff really wanted Daughtry or Gordon.
“Both.”
I nodded.
There it was. I knew we’d get there eventually.
Both.
That’s significant.
I’m not saying Tennessee is going to take two point guards in 2027. I’m not saying they’re not going to take two point guards in 2027. I’m saying my source looked me directly in the eye while chewing hash browns and said both.
You can draw your own conclusions.
There was one more thing I needed to know. I asked him whether Tennessee would accept Daughtry’s commitment if he called Barnes right now and said he wanted to be a Vol.
“Yes.”
I nearly dropped my fork. I asked if he was certain. He said yes. I asked whether Barnes would need to meet with Caldwell, White and everybody else first.
He stared at me. “Why would Kim Caldwell be in the meeting?”
Good point. Different department.
That’s why I have a source.
I leaned back and tried to process everything I’d just learned. Daughtry coming September 4. Gordon coming September 4. Tennessee wants both. And according to my guy, if one of the best point guards in America wanted to commit to Tennessee, Tennessee would accept the commitment.
Folks, I don’t throw around the word bombshell very often.
The waitress came over and put the check on the table. My guy immediately stood up. I asked where he was going. He said work.
“You’re not gonna pay?” He looked at the check, then at me. “Expense account.” I said, “I don’t have an expense account.” He shrugged. “You should.”
And with that he walked out.
I watched through the window as he crossed the parking lot and climbed into his gray Nissan Altima. I’m withholding the license plate because protecting sources matters.
Although it starts with BDF if that helps establish credibility.
So here’s where I’m at.
Tennessee has Daughtry and Gordon coming to Knoxville on the same weekend. The staff likes both. My source believes Tennessee would happily take Daughtry if he’s ready to make that decision, and I’ve now spent $38.74 at pancake establishments pursuing this story.
That’s not speculation. I’ve got receipts.
My prediction: Daughtry gets to Knoxville, sees what Barnes is building, and Tennessee comes out of the weekend as a serious player in this thing.
I’m going one step further.
Cayden Daughtry eventually becomes a Vol. Book it.
And somebody at Vol Hoops needs to talk to accounting.
– The Insider (For Real)