The Tennessee Volunteers welcome plenty of new faces on the offensive side of the football. Which players push the needle for them next season?
Next week marks the start of the Tennessee Volunteers’ spring practice, which will mark the start of a lengthy road leading up to a crucial 2024 season. Where the Vols end up on the national scene will ultimately depend on their offensive capabilities. The focus will be primarily on quarterback Nico Iamaleava, but I also observed three up-and-coming players who have the potential to be quite special.
Lance Heard (OT)
The most well-known offensive lineman Tennessee has added to the transfer portal under head coach Josh Heupel is Lance Heard, an offensive tackle from LSU. Next season, the 6-foot-6, 335-pound player will probably start as left tackle for Tennessee. During his true freshman season, he played in twelve games for LSU and started one versus Army. Heard’s efforts garnered him All-SEC Freshman Honors, but he lagged behind two more experienced offensive tackles. After moving to Knoxville, Tennessee, he quickly established himself as their most physically gifted offensive lineman, possessing genuine Sunday weapons.
Chris Brazzell, wide receiver
Chris Brazzell II, a wide receiver transfer from Tulane, started out as a defensive back in college but soon moved to the offensive side of the ball. During his redshirt freshman season, he caught 44 passes for 711 yards and five touchdowns, good for national Freshman All-American recognition. With three seasons left on his eligibility, he presents Iamaleava with a legitimate deep threat. With his excellent hands at the catch point and 6-5 stature, Brazzell offers something Tennessee did not have last season.
TE Ethan Davis
Transfer tight end for Notre Dame Though Holden Staes garnered a lot of attention during the winter, Ethan Davis has always been Tennessee’s long-term plan at the position. In 2023, he signed a contract with the Vols, where he recovered from an injury and gained valuable experience to advance his career. Davis is the perfect example of a naturally gifted athlete who can spread out into the slot and cause chaos.