2024 Tennessee Volunteers Football Preview
The Tennessee Volunteers are entering their fourth season under head coach Josh Heupel with high expectations and a roster filled with both promising young talent and experienced transfers. Coming off a 9-4 season in 2023 that culminated in a Citrus Bowl victory over Iowa, the Vols are looking to build on their recent success and compete for the SEC East title.
Offense
Quarterback
The spotlight will be on five-star sophomore quarterback Nico Iamaleava, who is set to take over as the full-time starter. Iamaleava impressed in his first career start during the Citrus Bowl, posting an 85.0 passing grade with four touchdowns against a tough Iowa defense[1]. His performance has generated significant excitement about the Volunteers’ offensive potential for 2024.
Wide Receivers
Tennessee’s receiving corps is considered one of the top 15 units in the nation[1]. The group will be bolstered by the addition of transfer Chris Brazzell II from Tulane, who brings a 76.3 PFF grade to the team[1]. Returning players like Squirrel White and Bru McCoy will provide Iamaleava with experienced targets.
Offensive Line
The Vols have made a significant addition to their offensive line with the transfer of tackle Lance Heard from LSU, who posted a 71.4 PFF grade last season[1]. Heard’s experience and skill should help solidify the protection for Iamaleava and create lanes for the running game.
Running Backs
While the team lost leading rusher Jaylen Wright to the NFL Draft, they still have a talented backfield. Dylan Sampson and Jabari Small are expected to share carries and provide a dynamic rushing attack to complement the passing game.
Defense
Defensive Line
The star of Tennessee’s defense is undoubtedly edge rusher James Pearce Jr., who is considered the nation’s best pass-rusher[1]. Pearce’s ability to pressure quarterbacks will be crucial for the Vols’ defensive success in 2024.
Secondary
The secondary has undergone significant changes, with only one of the nine linebackers/cornerbacks/safeties who played 300+ snaps last year returning[1]. To address this, Tennessee has brought in transfer cornerback Jermod McCoy from Oregon State, who recorded a 64.2 PFF grade last season[1].
Linebackers
The linebacker corps will need to step up to replace departed talent. Players like Elijah Herring and Arion Carter will be expected to take on larger roles and improve the second level of the defense.
Special Teams
While specific details about the special teams unit are limited, this area will be crucial for field position battles and could be a deciding factor in close games.
Schedule and Predictions
Tennessee’s 2024 schedule presents both opportunities and challenges:
- Non-conference games against Charlotte, Kent State, and a neutral-site matchup with NC State in Charlotte, NC, should provide winnable contests.
- The addition of Oklahoma to the SEC schedule adds another tough opponent to an already challenging conference slate.
- Key SEC matchups include home games against Kentucky, Alabama, and Mississippi State, with away games at Georgia, South Carolina, and Vanderbilt.
Based on the current projections:
- PFF predicts a win total of 7.3 games[1]
- FanDuel has set the over/under at 9.5 wins[1]
Best Case Scenario
In the best case scenario, Nico Iamaleava lives up to his five-star potential, the receiving corps excels, and James Pearce Jr. leads a much-improved defense. If these factors align, Tennessee could potentially win 10 or 11 games and compete for the SEC East title and a New Year’s Six bowl berth.
Worst Case Scenario
The worst case scenario would involve struggles adapting to new starters, particularly in the secondary, and Iamaleava experiencing growing pains as a first-year starter. This could lead to a 7-5 or 8-4 season, which would be a step back from recent years.
Conclusion
The 2024 Tennessee Volunteers have the potential to be an explosive team, particularly on offense. Their success will largely hinge on the performance of Nico Iamaleava, the continued dominance of James Pearce Jr., and how quickly the new additions in the secondary can gel. With a favorable schedule and talented roster, Tennessee has a clear path to success in the SEC and potentially the College Football Playoff[5]. However, navigating the tough SEC schedule and developing young talent will be crucial challenges for Josh Heupel and his staff to overcome.