The first FBS and Power Five team that Tennessee Football will face this year has an elite transfer quarterback and enough talent to currently be in the top 25. Simply put, UT can’t just ignore N.C. State and expect to win this game despite Dave Doeren’s team struggling with the Western Carolina Catamounts. Here are five players on the Wolfpack the Vols must keep an eye on.
5. Justin Joly, TE
If you remember, Justin Joly was a transfer from the UConn Huskies the Vols targeted after catching 56 passes for 578 yards last year. He caught five passes for 75 yards in the opener. UT is still unproven with this new-look secondary, and that’s even more true among the safeties and star position, so working in a tight end like Joly will be a huge part of the game plan.
4. Aydan White, CB
A lot of the elite talent on defense for N.C. State is gone, and the Wolfpack had to reload around transfers. That could cause an issue, and it also puts pressure on All-ACC cornerback Aydan White. If Nico Iamaleava is going to turn this season into a Heisman campaign, Tennessee Football has to be ready for what White can do. He broke up 10 passes last year and two last week alone.
3. Davin Vann, DE
Payton Wilson, N.C. State’s biggest star on defense who had 17.5 tackles for a loss and six sacks last year, is gone. Still, David Vann had seven tackles for a loss and five and a half sacks on the line. The Vols are questionable at offensive tackle. Both Lance Heard and John Campbell Jr. had mistakes last week in their 69-3 win over the Chattanooga Mocs, so Vann could test them in a big way.
2. Kevin Concepcion, WR
Last season’s ACC Offensive Rookie of the Year picked up right where he left off for N.C. State in the opener. After 71 catches for 839 yards, 41 carries for 320 yards and 10 total touchdowns in 2023, Kevin Concepcion had nine catches for 121 yards and three scores vs. WCU. At 5’11” 189 pounds, he’s another slot guy who will test the Tennessee Football secondary.
1. Grayson McCall, QB
Somebody has to get the ball to Concepcion and Joly. Enter Grayson McCall, who was a five-year starter for the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers and a superstar at that before transferring to NCSU. In the opener, he completed 26 of 40 passes for 318 yards, three touchdowns and one pick. McCall is mobile too when necessary, so UT needs to contain him.
A notable absence from this list was running back Jordan Waters, but Tennessee Football is too stacked on the defensive line, and N.C. State was too awful in run blocking last week, for anybody to believe Waters can have a real impact on this game despite rushing for 124 yards and two scores last week. For NCSU, it will come down to their passing attack.
