Tennessee Vols fans have understandably become jaded with the Heisman Trophy due to perceived slights over the years.

Vols legend Peyton Manning famously finished second to Michigan's Charles Woodson in 1997 — one of the biggest upsets in Heisman history.

Most recently, Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker wasn't invited to New York for the Heisman Trophy presentation despite having a great story and an incredible stat line.

Stetson Bennett: 3,609 total yards, 27 total touchdowns and six interceptions

Hendon Hooker: 3,565 yards, 32 total touchdowns and two interceptions in two fewer games than Bennett

Pretty obvious which one deserves to be a finalist. Voters got it wrong.

— zach ragan (@zachTNT) December 5, 2022

You can't blame Tennessee fans who say they don't care about the Heisman anymore.

But let's be honest here — if a Vols quarterback in the future makes it to New York for the presentation, Tennessee fans will be rooting passionately for their guy to win the award.

That's why ESPN's take on potential 2023 Heisman candidates will have Vols fans shaking their heads.

After USC's Caleb Williams won the Heisman on Saturday night, ESPN put out an article highlighting the Heisman contenders for 2023.

Now, I didn't open the article expecting to see Joe Milton's name or Nico Iamaleava's name. Milton has to prove he can be consistent and Iamaleava, despite the hype, is an unknown as a true freshman.

Both can be Heisman contenders — Nico down the road most likely — but neither should be listed among early 2023 Heisman contenders.

The problem with ESPN's article is that they listed Texas Longhorns commit Arch Manning, the nephew of Vols legend Peyton Manning, as a potential Heisman contender next season.

They also included Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik on their list, among several others.

Look, if you're going to include Arch Manning and Cade Klubnik, then Joe Milton and Nico Iamaleava have to be included (if this is the bar, then those two clear it). Milton has the most upside of any quarterback in college football and Iamaleava might be a better recruit than Manning (Nico just doesn't have the last name Manning, that's the biggest reason he isn't receiving more hype than Arch).

If ESPN is putting players on the list based on potential, then Milton, despite his limited action at Tennessee, has to be on the list.

Feels like these two plays got overlooked bc of the loss. First, what a throw by Joe Milton. 61 yards to Squirrel White. Then basically a 30 yard fade from opposite hash for a TD to Cedric Tillman (great catch). Milton still needs to work on consistency, but the upside is there. pic.twitter.com/ZeAWTzuoGD

— zach ragan (@zachTNT) November 21, 2022

That throw above was as impressive as any throw I saw this season. And ESPN thinks Arch Manning, a kid who hasn't taken a single snap in college, will be a Heisman contender but not Milton?

Par for the course when it comes to ESPN.

Featured image via Bryan Lynn-USA TODAY Sports