Former Tennessee Consultant Grant Frerking Faces Financial Scam Allegations Amid Contract Nonrenewal

Grant Frerking, a former University of Tennessee (UT) football player, worked as a part-time consultant for the UT football program while facing allegations of multiple financial scams and unpaid debts. His contract with UT, paying him $7,500 every six months for two years, expired at the end of June 2025 and will not be renewed, with the university stating he no longer performed work on campus. Frerking's consulting duties included advising head coach Josh Heupel on off-field matters, consulting staff on NIL best practices, and representing the program at public events, despite On3 founder Shannon Terry stating that Frerking was told not to do business with the program. Concurrently, Frerking served as president of On3’s NIL University and director of athlete network development until May 2025. Investigations into Frerking involve allegations of criminal misconduct related to financial scams, including unpaid rent, and a police investigation for theft by deception, though no charges have been filed. UT and On3 have distanced themselves from Frerking amid the controversies, highlighting the overlap and conflict between his roles and the allegations.