Tennessee has won nine or more games in back-to-back seasons for the first time since 2015-16 under head coach Josh Heupel. He also led the Volunteers to the first 11-win season since 2001, two seasons ago.
Despite ending the losing streak against Alabama, injuries prevented the Volunteers from competing for the Champion of the SEC. Despite ultimately defeating the Crimson Tide, Tennessee was utterly defeated by Georgia. Then, during a 63-38 road loss to South Carolina, Hendon Hooker sustained a torn ACL.
Tennessee would be prevented from participating in the College Football Playoffs for the first time in program history by the defeats to the Bulldogs and Gamecocks.Joe Milton was the Volunteers’ main man to see the season through. In the Orange Bowl to end the season, he guided them to victories over Vanderbilt and Clemson.
In the most recent episode of Always College Football, ESPN’s Greg McElroy talked about why Tennessee and quarterback Nico Iamaleava deserve greater national notice.
“A team that might have crazy upside this offseason because of the likely improved play they’re gonna get at the quarterback spot,” McElroy said. “And while I think that Nico Iamaleava might have a growing pain or two, you may argue that his agility, quickness, ball-moving abilities, and improved accuracy on under-the-ball are all strengths at the moment. Unlike Joe Milton, his predecessor, he has a change-up.”
McElroy believes that in 2024, more people should pay attention to the Volunteers. On both sides of the ball, several starters are back for the squad. This season, players such as offensive lineman Cooper Mays, wide receiver Squirrel White, wide receiver Bru McCoy, and offensive lineman EDGE James Pearce will return to the orange and white.
“Although Tennessee supporters are optimistic about the state’s chances of making the playoffs, I don’t think the state has truly caught the public’s interest.Really, there isn’t a quarterback competition. McElroy
“On defense, there aren’t many unanswered questions. James Pearce is back with them. Pearce may have been the best edge defender in the SEC, based on statistics, if it weren’t for Mykel Williams.”
People are currently concentrating on Ole Miss, Texas, Georgia, and Alabama. But McElroy wants everyone to start looking at Tennessee more closely.
“I believe you are currently looking at the SEC. To a certain extent, Georgia is being overlooked, but everyone is talking about Alabama and Georgia. Lots of talk about Ole Miss and the Texas Longhorns,” McElroy remarked. “But there’s not a whole lot of discussions about what Tennessee might ultimately be.”
