The University of Tennessee Volunteers football team has seen a resurgence in their program ever since Josh Heupel took the reins in January of 2021.
Since being Tennessee’s head coach, Heupel’s remarkable revival has seen him produce a 27-12 overall record, eight victories over Top-25 teams, the program’s first New Year’s Six berth in the College Football Playoff era, and back-to-back top-20 poll finishes.
The Tennessee Vols’ 2023 football team ended with an 8-4 overall record which led them to the Citrus Bowl where new quarterback Nico Iamaleava got his first start. He led the Vols to a 35-0 bowl win over the Iowa Hawkeyes.
Key Tennessee Volunteers Players for Success in 2024
Looking ahead to the 2024 season, there is a lot for Tennessee fans to look forward to. That all roots from the team that is being put on the field which has a lot of elite talent that is primed to take the Vols very far in 2024.
The Vols have a ton of talent that is key to their success in 2024.
Quarterback Nico Iamaleava
This one seems a little bit obvious. There is no more important position on a football team than its leader, the quarterback. For the Vols in 2024, they are fielding their five-star recruit out of California, Nico Iamaleava.
Iamaleava had an elite high school career at Warren High School where he threw for 3,248 yards, 50 touchdown passes, and just two interceptions. Coming out of high school, Iamaleava was recruited heavily by many schools before landing with Tennessee. In January of 2023 when he was finishing high school, he was ranked as the number one overall recruit by On3. When Tennessee finally signed him, they gave him an $8 million dollar NIL deal that was a key point in getting him to choose the University of Tennessee.
Vols fans have yet to see much of what he can do as their starting quarterback, having only played in five games so far. They did, however, get to see him start the Citrus Bowl against the Iowa Hawkeyes where he went 12 for 19, 150 yards, and one touchdown while also running for 27 yards and three touchdowns. It’s only one start but it showed a glimpse of the greatness that Iamaleava brings to Tennessee.
In 2024, Vols fans and college football as a whole are very excited to see how Iamaleava will perform.
Defensive End James Pearce Jr.
College football fans, especially in the SEC, have probably heard the name James Pearce, Jr. Vols fans probably enjoy hearing that name but fans of opposing offenses may not due to the havoc this man can wreak on an offensive line.
Pearce Jr. enrolled at Tennessee in June of 2022. Coming out of Julius L. Chambers High School in Charlotte, North Carolina, Pearce was a highly-ranked edge recruit. In his high school senior season, Pearce recorded 14.5 sacks and two interceptions. Tennessee grabbed a great player in Pearce.
In the 2023 season, Pearce had 28 tackles, 14.5 tackles for loss, 10 sacks, and one interception which he returned for a touchdown. He was ranked as the number one edge player in the Southeastern Conference for the 2023 season, 11th in all of college football.
Pearce Jr. has even been tabbed as the potential number-one draft pick for the 2025 NFL Draft by Sports Illustrated. The ceiling is very high for Pearce Jr. so a lot of eyes in the fandom of college football will be looking his way during the 2024 season.
Running Back Dylan Sampson
Anyone remember a running back who used to play for Tennessee before the NFL who wore number six? His name was Alvin Kamara. Well, Dylan Sampson is the second coming of Kamara.
An elusive and speedy running back is what Sampson is and with his skills, he has excelled at the University of Tennessee.
Sampson was a high school recruit out of Dutchtown High School in Geismar, Louisiana. In Sampson’s high school career, he was not a highly sought-after player. He signed with Tennessee in June of 2021.
In the 2023 season, Sampson was not used very much due to the fact he was sitting behind NFL runningback prospect, Jaylen Wright, but he made the most out of every touch he received. He got 106 touches for 604 yards and seven touchdowns.
With Iamaleava and Sampson in the backfield, it is primed to be a scary duo for college football’s defenses.
Tennessee and its fans have a lot to look forward to for the 2024 season and these players are going to be the pioneers towards whatever success is achieved.
If you want more information/speculation on the Vols, check out joshua_shoop on X!