There is no question that Nico Iamaleava is Tennessee’s most important football player this year. After that, there is some debate.
In a post recently in Hooker’s Corner, I asked Tennessee fans what player NOT named Nico was the most important Vol for the 2024 season. Perhaps for the first time in my 25-plus years in covering the Vols, an offensive lineman received strong consideration from its fan base as one of the most important players on the team. That wasn’t all; there were more shenanigans.
One of Tennessee’s most important players is coming off of a severe injury, another has an off-field issue to deal with. Yet another is a freshman, while another is in a deep room of talented tailbacks meaning a blown pass protection could land even the best natural runner on the bench.
Here are the three players that must elevate their game for the Vols to be true championship contenders. Oh, and they can’t be named Nico.
Cooper Mays
It’s not often that on offensive lineman gets accolades for being such a key player. However, we all saw what happened at Florida last year when Mays was hurt. The Vols likely beat the Gators with a healthy Mays in the lineup. There’s no overlooking his importance this season.
Mays is healthy now and ready to lead an offensive line that, via some deft NIL spending, could be one of the best offensive lines in the nation. Mays handles the calls.
Bru McCoy
I’m of the mindset that a player will return to full strength, even after a nasty injury, thanks to all the advances in medical science unless I hear otherwise. It’s worth noting that Off The Hook has been told McCoy’s recovery is going astonishing well. Moreover, orthopaedic injuries typically don’t end careers, nor even alter them that much. With a healthy McCoy, the Vols will have an elite, all-around receiver that can make plays in a number of ways, which includes being a great blocker on running plays and screens. However, let’s not forget that McCoy is the kind of receiver that must be attended to each time that Nico guy drops back to pass.
James Pearce
The Vols have several good players, but, like all teams, are limited when it comes to elite players. Pearce is one of those players. Pearce could be playing for some pretty elite money if he proves to be one of the best pass-rushing players in college football this season, which is a greater likelihood than not. From his EDGE rushing position, Pearce can win two or more games this season for the Vols. No one else on defense can make that claim.
Who else?
Running back Dylan Sampson and receiver Squirrel White could be cited as key offensive players if the Vols hope to make a championship run this season. Looking for another defensive player and perhaps a freshman? Off The Hook has been told that freshman Boo Carter has been repeatedly reminded that the strong safety position is his for the taking beginning in spring camp.
Tennessee will also likely have a player step up that we’re not focusing on, just like receiver Jalin Hyatt did in 2022. Can linebacker Arion Carter be that type of player? He would be one of the top candidates, which there are actually quite a few of. That’s encouraging.
Iamaleava doesn’t have to win every game by himself this season. He has help. Be it NIL, team culture or whatever, the Vols clearly have a team built to compete alongside Iamaleava for the type of success that the Vols haven’t seen this century.
