Big 12 Player of the Year Embraces Challenge, Says ‘I Want That Matchup’ With Tennessee Vols in Knoxville Regional

For some players, regional matchups are simply about advancing—survive and move on. For others, the competition becomes personal, driven by pride, legacy, and the desire to prove something more than just skill. That’s exactly where the Big 12 Player of the Year finds himself as his team prepares to head into the Knoxville Regional. He’s not shying away from the moment. In fact, he’s chasing it.

“I want that matchup,” he said with conviction, the fire unmistakable in his voice. “I’ve been watching what Tennessee’s done all year, and I want that shot. I want that crowd. I want that pressure. That’s what this is all about.”

In the landscape of college baseball, few regional sites offer the type of hostile environment and spotlight like Lindsey Nelson Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee. The Volunteers, fresh off a dominant regular season, enter the postseason as one of the nation’s most complete and feared teams. They mash home runs, flash elite pitching depth, and command a fan base that roars with SEC-sized swagger. But none of that scares the Big 12’s best player. Instead, it drives him.

“I’ve played in tough parks. I’ve faced big arms. I’ve hit against guys who are going first round,” he said. “But there’s something about that orange, that stadium, and that energy that makes you want to step up. I’m not just coming to play—I’m coming to win.”

There’s a swagger to his tone, but it’s earned. The Big 12 Player of the Year didn’t just walk into that title. He fought for every bit of it. Over the course of the season, he’s been nothing short of dominant. A .378 batting average, 22 home runs, 64 RBIs, and an on-base percentage over .480—his numbers put him among the elite not just in the conference, but nationally. And he’s done it with a consistency that separates the good from the great.

His team, long considered a dark horse in the Big 12, has ridden his bat and leadership to one of its strongest seasons in recent memory. Now, they head to Knoxville as a dangerous No. 2 seed with momentum and belief—largely fueled by their star’s unrelenting confidence.

“We’re not coming to be a storyline,” he said. “We’re not just a team people should be happy made it this far. We’re here to shock some folks.”

Tennessee, of course, isn’t likely to be shocked easily. Tony Vitello’s squad is loaded. The Vols boast a lineup full of power, led by All-SEC sluggers who can change the game with one swing. Their pitching staff is deep and versatile, capable of winning with either power arms or crafty veteran experience. Their defense rarely cracks, and their aggressive baserunning often forces opponents into errors. But for the Big 12 standout, none of that changes the mission.

“I respect what they’ve done. You’d be foolish not to,” he admitted. “But respect doesn’t mean fear. I think people get that twisted. You can honor the game and your opponent without backing down from them.”

He’s aware that facing Tennessee in Knoxville is a tall task. The Vols went unbeaten at home in SEC series this season and outscored opponents by an eye-popping margin. The crowd noise is deafening, the environment charged with postseason electricity. But in his view, that’s exactly why you play the game.

“I’ve seen guys shrink under those lights. I’ve also seen guys rise up,” he said. “I plan to rise. That’s what separates players who want the moment from players who hope it doesn’t find them. I want it. I’m chasing it.”

Coaches from both sides are already preparing for what could be a must-watch clash. Tennessee’s pitching coach reportedly spent extra time breaking down the Big 12 Player of the Year’s at-bats, analyzing weaknesses—if any can be found—and formulating a plan to neutralize his impact. Meanwhile, his team is preparing their own counterattack, studying Tennessee’s arms with laser focus, looking for tendencies, tip-offs, and sequencing that can be exploited.

“He’s not just the heart of our offense,” his coach said. “He’s the soul of this team. The way he approaches the game, the way he attacks each pitch—it’s contagious. He doesn’t just talk about wanting that matchup, he trains for it. Every swing, every rep, every film session—he’s preparing to beat the best.”

His preparation goes beyond the field. He’s studied the Vols’ starting rotation, watched hours of film, and even reached out to former teammates and coaches who have played against Tennessee in recent years.

“You’ve got to know what you’re walking into,” he explained. “This isn’t just another game. This is a regional against one of the best programs in the country, in their house. You can’t come in unprepared. I know how they pitch in pressure spots, I know what counts they like to throw off-speed in, and I know what zones they try to exploit. I’ll be ready.”

There’s a chip on his shoulder too. Despite his breakout season, he feels like the spotlight hasn’t always followed him the way it has others. Playing in the Big 12, he says, sometimes means getting overlooked nationally unless you’re at a blue-blood program. This regional, then, becomes not just about team success but also about validation on a personal level.

“I think people know I can hit. But I don’t think they really know,” he said. “Playing Tennessee in Knoxville gives me a chance to show it on the biggest stage. I want that shot. And I plan to take it.”

Scouts will be watching, too. Several MLB front offices are expected to have reps in Knoxville this weekend, and while the Big 12 Player of the Year is already considered a top-three-round draft prospect, a dominant regional performance could vault him even higher. He knows it, but he’s not focused on that just yet.

“Draft stuff is cool, but that takes care of itself if you win,” he said. “I’ve always believed the best way to boost your stock is to help your team win. That’s what I’m here to do.”

As for the matchup itself, it looms large. If both teams win their openers, they’ll meet in a winner’s bracket showdown that promises fireworks. It’ll be SEC strength versus Big 12 grit, power against poise, flash meeting fury. It’s the type of game where legacies can be made—and the Big 12 Player of the Year wants all of it.

“I didn’t come here to play it safe,” he said. “I came to play the best. That’s how you grow. That’s how you make history. You take on the best and you beat them. That’s what we’re coming to do.”

And if the crowd rains boos down on him, as they often do with star opponents in Knoxville?

“That’s how you know you’re doing something right,” he said, grinning. “If they’re loud, that means they’re worried. If they’re quiet, that means you’ve done your job. Either way, I’ll be ready.”

His teammates echo the sentiment. In team meetings and practice sessions, he’s set the tone. He’s demanded intensity, focus, and purpose. And above all, he’s reminded everyone of what’s at stake—not just a trip to the Super Regionals, but a chance to take down a titan on its home turf.

“He brings an edge,” one teammate said. “He walks into the cage like he’s got something to prove. And honestly, he probably does. But it’s not about showing up the other team. It’s about proving that we belong—and that we’re coming for everything.”

As regional weekend approaches, all eyes will turn to Knoxville. The storylines write themselves: a juggernaut SEC program, a fearless Big 12 contender, and a star player with a chip on his shoulder and a fire in his swing. It’s the kind of setup that baseball fans dream of.

And the Big 12 Player of the Year? He wouldn’t have it any other way.

“I’ve never backed down from a challenge,” he said. “And I’m not starting now. Let’s play.”