Sevier County's Parker Newman picks up offer from Josh Heupel, Tennessee football

Sevier County junior tight end Parker Newman received an offer from Tennessee football, he announced on March 26.

"Thankful to receiver an offer from @Vol_Football," Newman wrote on X.

Thankful to receive an offer from @Vol_Football thank you @AlecAbelnpic.twitter.com/SZu0sQMqpD

— Parker Newman (@parkernewman) March 27, 2026

Newman credited Tennessee tight ends coach Alec Abeln for the offer. The Vols are also targeting junior four-star tight end prospect Malik Howard from Oak Ridge.

The 6-foot-5, 210-pound athlete is a three-star prospect in the 247 Sports Composite. He's the No. 16 overall recruit in the 2027 class and is the No. 26 tight end in the country. He has other Power Four offers from Alabama, Ohio State, Wisconsin, Texas A&M and Texas Tech, among others.

Newman was a 2025 All-PrepXtra selection was the Region 1-5A Athlete of the Year. He caught 78 passes for 1,059 yards and 10 touchdowns. On defense, the outside linebacker recorded 117 tackles, eight pass breakups, four interceptions and three sacks.

Newman was one of Sevier County's star players throughout the 2025 season. The Smoky Bears went 13-2 and made it back to the Class 5A title game, but did not repeat as state champions with a 21-14 loss to Page.

Wynton Jackson covers high school sports for Knox News. Email: wynton.jackson@knoxnews.com

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This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Sevier County athlete Parker Newman picks up offer from Tennessee football