We're rolling through previews of each SEC team to get ready for the 2024 college football season. Our last preview was of the South Carolina Gamecocks. Now we go to Rocky Top to breakdown a Tennessee Volunteers squad hoping to match or exceed the heights they reached just two seasons ago.
Examining the Tennessee Volunteers' offense
Josh Heupel's explosive offense slowed significantly in '23. Joe Milton remained wildly inconsistent as a passer, and the WR room slipped. But there's optimism for a return to what's become expected in '24.
Redshirt freshman QB Nico Iamaleava takes over, and the folks in Knoxville believe he's about to take the nation by storm. The expectation is that he operates the offense much more smoothly and efficiently than Milton. His pass-catchers should be better too. The speedy Squirrel White returns, Bru McCoy is back from injury, and Tulane's Chris Brazzell transfers in.
The Vols must replace 1000-yard rusher Jaylen Wright, but Dylan Sampson is ready to be the #1 RB. Up front, Tennessee boasts a veteran OL that performed well last season.
Examining the Tennessee Volunteers' defense
The Vols made big improvements defensively in '23, allowing just 20 points and 335 yards per game. They had a ferocious pass rush, and that should once again be the case. Potential #1 2025 NFL Draft pick James Pearce is a terror off the edge, and the interior duo of Omari Thomas and Omarr Thomas-Lott gives Tennessee as good as DL as there is in the SEC.
The issue for the Vols is what they lost elsewhere. The top six tacklers depart and they must replace the entire Back 7 of the defense. Former BYU-transfer Keenan Pili is back from injury and should be a good piece in the middle at LB. But the secondary will need several new faces to step up.
Thoughts on the Tennessee Volunteers entering 2024
There's plenty of hype around the Vols this year, particularly because of the excitement that exists for Nico Iamaleava at QB. And if he's the player many believe him to be, the offense will be special. Still, with the losses suffered on defense, it's hard to view this as a complete team.
What helps Tennessee though is their schedule. Outside of a road trip to UGA, every game, including at home vs Bama, is winnable. If fact, they'll likely be favored in nine games at a minimum. An early neutral site game with NC State and road trip to Oklahoma could both be tricky, but if they can navigate those safely, Tennessee may feel like they did two years ago and win their way to the playoffs.