National media outlet includes Tennessee Vols on bold list for the 2024 season
In 2021, the Washington Huskies went 4-8 and they fired head coach Jimmy Lake, eventually hiring the little-known Kalen DeBoer away from Fresno State to lead the football program. Two seasons later and the Huskies are about to play the Michigan Wolverines in the national championship game. The fact that Washington made the leap this […]
In 2021, the Washington Huskies went 4-8 and they fired head coach Jimmy Lake, eventually hiring the little-known Kalen DeBoer away from Fresno State to lead the football program.
Two seasons later and the Huskies are about to play the Michigan Wolverines in the national championship game.
The fact that Washington made the leap this quickly is a good sign for the health of college football, a sport that's severely lacked parity in recent years.
And thanks to NIL deals and the NCAA transfer portal, we should continue to see fresh programs in the championship game on a somewhat routine basis moving forward.
247Sports thinks the Tennessee Vols are a candidate to be one of those programs in 2024.
The national sports media outlet named five programs that could make a Washington-like leap next season and they included Tennessee, along with Missouri, Arizona, Ole Miss, and Oregon.
From 247Sports: Ranked No. 16 nationally in the Team Talent Composite for the 2023 season, the Volunteers acquired a solid roster under Josh Heupel. But they have not been at the elite level necessary to navigate a treacherous SEC schedule. That could change in 2024 due to one primary factor — former five-star Nico Iamaleava at quarterback. He was responsible for four touchdowns in his first career start in the Citrus Bowl win over Iowa and last season's sensation at the position, Hendon Hooker, already deemed him "the chosen one" in Knoxville. That's high praise given Hooker's importance to the program and heightened success during his tenure. Like Penix did at Washington, Iamaleava is the type of talent that makes everyone around him better. He is a dynamic option, the first Heupel's had a quarterback, and gives Tennessee more than a puncher's chance at getting inside the top 10 in 2024 and staying there if he stays healthy. Tennessee doesn't have elite wideout talent around Iamaleava like Washington had this season, but the return of Bru McCoy gives the Vols a true chain-mover on third down and a leader in the room.
I'm not sure I totally agree with the comment about the wide receiver talent. With the additions of Chris Brazzell (Tulane transfer) and signees Mike Matthews and Braylon Staley, the Vols have a dynamic group of pass catchers that could create plenty of highlight reel moments in 2024.
If the defense can take a small step forward while the offense returns to its 2022 form, it could be a very fun season for Volunteers fans next fall.
Josh Heupel is avoiding the big mistake that Butch Jones made after year 3 at Tennessee
Always wise to learn from the past
