Despite a lot of returning talent, Tennessee Football enters 2024 with plenty of questions at different position groups. Which areas of the team are the most sure bets to be successful? Here is a ranking of every single unit on the Vols headed into the season. Depth and talent are both factors here.
10. Running back
Sorry, Dylan Sampson isn’t a feature back. He’s an all-purpose back, just as Khalifa Keith is a power back. The Vols’ only options for a feature back are Peyton Lewis, a freshman who was hurt all offseason, Cameron Seldon, who has the worst vision in history, and DeSean Bishop, a highly unregarded prospect. They don’t have options here.
9. Secondary
Although it’s been far and away the worst position unit for Tennessee Football since Josh Heupel took over, the defensive backs had a major upgrade this offseason via the transfer portal. History and lack of experience keep it down here, but young guys developing, solid transfers coming in and a couple of splash recruits keep it from last place.
8. Tight end
If not for Ethan Davis potentially turning into a rare superstar, this unit would be last. The Vols lost both of their key tight ends from last year in McCallan Castles and Jacob Warren and none of the players at the position this year are proven. There is hope for a couple of transfers, and Davis is the exciting player, but they all bring questions.
7. Offensive line
There are three sure bets for Tennessee Football on the offensive line: Cooper Mays at center, Javontez Spraggins at right guard and John Campbell Jr. at right tackle. Lance Heard should be a sure bet at left tackle. However, depth is a major issue, and the Vols have no answer at left guard yet, so this is still a unit with major issues.
6. Kickers and punters
Jackson Ross may be the best punter in the SEC this year. The problem is the Vols don’t really want to use their punter that much. In terms of field goal kicking, the race is wide open, and Charles Campbell isn’t so easy to replace. That makes this unit halfway complete. There is reason for optimism but no sure bet.
5. Linebacker
We have finally reached the first unit sure to be a success this year. Tennessee Football has a rising superstar in Arion Carter, and they return Keenan Pili from a season-ending injury. If Pili goes down again, Jeremiah Telander is ready to step in, and Kalib Perry should be ready to help out Carter on the other side, so this unit truly goes two-deep.
4. Quarterback
Okay, so we can’t say this unit goes two-deep, as nobody knows what to expect from Jake Merklinger. However, he was a four-star, and Gaston Moore has been in the system for a while, so they should have an option at backup. Then there’s Nico Iamaleava, a generational talent created in a lab to run Heupel’s system. That’s why this unit belongs up here.
3. Wide receiver
Bru McCoy is back as an elite wide receiver who can dictate coverage, Squirrel White is a proven talent in the slot, and Tennessee Football has multiple options for the other wideout spot, including Chris Brazzell II, Dont’e Thornton returning to health and five-star Mike Matthews. Braylon Staley could help in the slot, and Kaleb Webb, Nathan Leacock and Chas Nimrod are all back. Simply put, this group is loaded.
2. Defensive line
While it’s not loaded with star power, the depth is enough that there will be no problems. Omari Thomas is a leader, Omarr Norman-Lott is a proven producers, Jaxson Moi is likely to be a breakout player, Elijah Simmons is a potential superstar when healthy, and Bryson Eason is a veteran. There are questions at the end spot without Tyler Baron, but Dominic Bailey, Daevin Hobbs and Tyre West should step up.
1. Edge rushers
Separating edge rushers out from the interior defensive line easily puts this unit at the top. James Pearce Jr. is an obvious star, but Joshua Josephs should back him up fine. Jordan Ross, meanwhile, is already making a splash as a five-star commitment, and Caleb Herring is still around. Tennessee Football has tons of talent here, and they should wreak havoc this year.
