Mike Honcho mania: Jordan Beck promotes merch based on new nickname

Mike Honcho mania has arrived on Rocky Top. Tennessee’s Jordan Beck has embraced the new name given to him by skipper Tony Vitello.

The ESPN2 broadcast of Friday night’s Tennessee-Vanderbilt rivalry clash featured an in-game interview with Vitello. The UT skipper was asked about Beck being called for an illegal bat, taking a 1st-inning home run off the board. Vitello joked that Beck is actually a man named “Mike Honcho,” a reference to the 2006 movie “Talladega Nights.”

“I don’t even know that Jordan Beck should be at the University of Tennessee,” Vitello said. “He forged his transcript. He is actually a 35-year-old man named Mike Honcho.”

Tony Vitello with an all-timer explanation on why Jordan Beck’s homer didn’t count. The end is hilarious. #MikeHoncho pic.twitter.com/J4xIKfIq69

— Karthik Venkataraman (@KarthikV_) April 2, 2022

Tennessee fans can support their new favorite Volunteer. Beck has updated his Twitter profile, embracing the nickname and promoting a shirt sold by The Vol Shop. Breaking T is also a Honcho-themed shirt.

I got a new nickname. https://t.co/DKFr8JrusP

— Jordan Beck or Mike Honcho (@jbbeck27) April 2, 2022

🚨 MIKE HONCHO ALERT 🚨
He forged his transcript. #VolsWin
🛒: https://t.co/SETPLdpXDX | #WearTheMoment https://t.co/biYqFq3Mm7 pic.twitter.com/PhWoxbBqWf

— BreakingT (@BreakingT) April 2, 2022

No word on whether Honcho has an NIL deal.