Tennessee coach Josh Heupel said in the spring that this is his deepest, most talented roster in four years.

He said the same thing to open summer camp.

That would imply that these Vols could match the 11-2 season of 2022.

That would imply that these Vols could score at nearly the same rate as they did two years ago: 46.1 points per game. And rack up about 525 yards per game.

Heupel should know better than me. But I’m not in that camp yet.

For example, as good as quarterback Nico Iamaleava is expected to be, would you take this year’s quarterback room over the 2022 group that had Heisman Trophy candidate Hendon Hooker, NFL draft pick Joe Milton and Gaston Moore?

I wouldn’t.

Would you take this year’s running back room of Dylan Sampson, Cam Seldon, Peyton Lewis and DeSean Bishop over Jaylen Wright, Jabari Small and Sampson?

I wouldn’t.

Would you take this year’s receiving room of Squirrel White, Chris Brazzell, Bru McCoy and Dont’e Thornton over Biletnikoff winner Jalen Hyatt, Cedric Tillman, Ramel Keyton and McCoy?

I wouldn’t.

Would you take the tight end room of Ethan Davis, Miles Kitselman and Holden Staes over Princeton Fant (who accounted for nine touchdowns) and Jacob Warren?

I wouldn’t.

Would you take the offensive line of Cooper Mays, Javontez Spraggins, John Campbell, Lance Heard and Jackson Lampley or Andre Karic over top-10 NFL pick Darnell Wright, Jerome Carvin, JJ Crawford, Gerald Mincey, Mays and Spraggins.

I wouldn’t.

This year’s team has one clear advantage over the 2022 squad: The defensive line. The Vols could go 10-deep with quality players, led by James Pearce, Omari Thomas, Omarr Norman-Lott, Joshua Josephs and Elijah Simmons.

The linebacker comparison is close, with 2022 led by Aaron Beasley and Jeremy Banks while this year, the Vols have unproven but experienced Keenan Pili and Aaron Carter as the top two.

The 2022 secondary and this year’s defensive backs are about even.

Heupel should have a better read on his talent and depth than me. But when comparing units, I don’t see an offensive advantage for the 2024 squad and I see only one huge advantage on defense.

But, if your gauge is the 2024 team has more four- and five-star players, then Heupel has a point.

My gauge is production over potential.

Maybe some members of this year’s team will make a huge leap like a Hyatt or Darnell Wright or Princeton Fant.  

The proof is in the pudding.

If this Tennessee team wins away from home against North Carolina State and Oklahoma, beats Florida and Alabama, goes 10-2 in the regular season and makes the 12-team College Football Playoff, I’ll tip my cap to Heupel.

And quit questioning the talent and depth on Tennessee’s roster.