Rocky Top Romance: Chaz Lanier’s Surprise Engagement to Tennessee Star Tess Darby Warms Hearts Nationwide
In a moment that melted hearts across college sports, Chaz Lanier, the newly committed Tennessee Volunteers basketball star, proposed to Tess Darby, a standout player on the Tennessee women’s basketball team — and she said yes! The emotional proposal, which took place on campus at Rocky Top, was captured on video and quickly went viral, captivating fans well beyond Knoxville.
Lanier, who transferred to Tennessee this offseason with high expectations on the hardwood, shocked everyone — not with a dunk, but with a diamond. As Tess Darby wrapped up what she thought was just another day of offseason team activities, Chaz appeared with a bouquet of orange and white flowers, dropped to one knee, and asked her to be his forever.
Darby, stunned and emotional, immediately said yes, drawing cheers and applause from friends, teammates, and even staffers who had quietly gathered to witness the moment. The video of the proposal was posted on social media by Tennessee Athletics and exploded in popularity, quickly racking up over a million views in 24 hours.
“From the moment I met Tess, I knew there was something special,” Lanier said afterward. “She’s been my biggest supporter, and I couldn’t imagine starting this new chapter at Tennessee without starting our next chapter together.”
Darby, a fan-favorite who’s known for her toughness, leadership, and three-point shooting, shared her joy on Instagram with a simple caption: “Forever Rocky Top. 💍🧡” Fans flooded her comment section with congratulations and well-wishes.
The engagement comes at a time of great excitement for Tennessee athletics. Both Lanier and Darby are expected to be key contributors to their respective teams this season, and their engagement has given Vol Nation one more thing to cheer for.
Volunteers head basketball coaches Rick Barnes and Kim Caldwell also shared their congratulations, with Barnes joking, “Looks like we’ve got more than just a championship on the horizon.”
Across the SEC and beyond, the moment has been embraced as a feel-good story in an era often dominated by transfer portal chaos, NIL negotiations, and business-first headlines. It’s a reminder of the human side of college athletics — love, loyalty, and moments that transcend wins and losses.
Lanier and Darby now become one of college basketball’s favorite couples, representing not just talent on the court, but heart and character off of it.
As the season approaches, Tennessee fans have another reason to rally — not just for championships, but for the celebration of a love story written right in the heart of Knoxville.
Congratulations to Chaz Lanier and Tess Darby — the newest power couple at Rocky Top.
