Meet Smokey XII, ready for Tennessee football games in 2026
There’s a new four-legged addition on the University of Tennessee campus, and he’s ready to carry on a beloved tradition. Meet Smokey XII, the program’s newest bluetick coonhound mascot.
Smokey XII is set to make his debut on April 11 during the 2026 Orange and White spring football game, continuing a long line of hounds to hold the iconic name. The 2-year-old dog — originally named Neyland — was discovered through East Tennessee’s bluetick coonhound rescue network after his previous owners were unable to care for him. A dedicated dog lover helped connect him with UT, where the school’s Smokey selection team quickly recognized his potential.
Unlike past mascots, Smokey XII is not related to previous dogs who carried the name.
He is currently being fostered by a staff member from UT’s College of Veterinary Medicine, where he’s already been introduced to busy, high-energy environments to help him adjust to game-day atmospheres.
Dean Paul Plummer described Smokey XII as a heartwarming addition to the Volunteer family, noting that with support from students and veterinary experts, the young coonhound is ready to embrace his role and energize fans across Rocky Top.
The University of Tennessee partners with the Hudson family to train each new Smokey, with the Knoxville-based handlers playing a key role in both development and the search for Smokey XII. On game days, members of the Alpha Gamma Rho will serve as his handlers.
Smokey XII now takes over mascot duties for the Tennessee Volunteers, easing the load from Smokey XI, who retired before the end of the 2025 season due to a reserved temperament that made large, noisy crowds difficult. Introduced ahead of the 2022 season, Smokey XI struggled to adjust to the atmosphere at Neyland Stadium, with his father, Smokey X, occasionally stepping back in to fill the role.
According to veterinarian Zenithson Ng, the new pup — originally named Neyland — brings a lively personality and playful energy. Through positive reinforcement training, he’s learning key commands like sit, stay, and down. The upcoming Orange and White spring game will serve as an important test to gauge his readiness for full-time game day duties in 2026 while allowing him to interact with fans and handlers.
Smokey XII continues a tradition that dates back to 1953, when a bluetick coonhound first became the university’s mascot following a student vote during a game against Mississippi State Bulldogs. That original dog, “Brooks’ Blue Smokey,” quickly won over the crowd with a howl that cemented his place in school history.
As the 12th Smokey, he’ll carry on those traditions — greeting fans, howling on the sidelines, and sprinting through the Power T formed by the Pride of the Southland Band to open each home game.
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