The 2023–24 college football season is now officially over after Michigan defeated Washington on Monday night to win the National Championship.
One thing can be expected the day after the National Championship: the far too early top 25 rankings are due.
Entering Josh Heupel’s fourth season, Tennessee is a consensus top 25 team in the way-too-early rankings with the Vols coming in between No. 11 and No. 22 in the various rankings.
Tennessee is starting the offseason with a lot of enthusiasm, much of which is attributed to quarterback Nico Iamaleava. The former five-star recruit redshirted his freshman year but made an impact in the Vols’ Citrus Bowl triumph against Iowa as he started his first game of the season.
Looking ahead to 2024, where does Tennessee stand after a 9-4 (4-4 SEC) season? Take a look at it right here.
SEC standings: eighth
“Volunteers fans got a sneak peek into the future with a 35-0 rout of Iowa in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl,” the statement reads on the Vols. Nico Iamaleava, a rookie, started the bowl game when Milton decided not to play. He ran for three more touchdowns and completed 12 of 19 throws for 151 yards and one touchdown. In the 2023 ESPN 300, the native of Los Angeles ranked as the fourth-best pocket passer. Returning receivers Squirrel White, Bru McCoy, and Brazzell—who led Tulane in pass receptions in 2023—are all reliable options. The return of tackles John Campbell Jr. and Gerald Mincey (who just registered on the transfer portal) and center Cooper Mays will also be beneficial. Following the entry of six defensive backs through the transfer window, strengthening the secondary will be a top emphasis in the spring.
Dennis Dodd of CBS, ranked No. 14 nationally
SEC standings: eighth
Regarding the Vols, they stated: “Nico Iamaleava, take the floor. With an outstanding Citrus Bowl debut, the much-hyped, NIL-fueled quarterback will only become bigger. He’ll work behind an offensive line that is largely intact when it returns. Additionally, there is depth at running back.
247sports: 11th place nationally
SEC standings: sixth
Regarding the Vols, they stated: “Tennessee is ranked No. 11 ahead of another SEC opponent in the 12th spot by an extremely narrow margin. The Vols’ quarterback, Nico Iamaleava, a former five-star, is leading them into a new offensive era. In the Citrus Bowl victory over Iowa, he scored four touchdowns in his first career start, and Hendon Hooker, the breakout player at the position from the previous season, had already called him “the chosen one” in Knoxville. That’s strong praise given Hooker’s relevance to the program and heightened success over his stay. Iamaleava has the kind of talent that elevates everyone around him, just like Penix did at Washington.
Paul Myberg and Erick Smith of USA Today
12th place nationally
SEC standings: seventh
What they said about the Vols: “The team’s bowl victory over Iowa provided the first real test for much-heralded quarterback Nico Iamaleava. The incoming sophomore is now in charge of the offense. Getting aid at receiver to get over some of his growing pains and bring the offense closer to its peak level from 2022 is the biggest issue. Though it suffered some setbacks in the transfer process, the defense has to improve on its stronger showing from the previous campaign.
Yahoo Sports (Nick Broomberg): 16th nationally
SEC standings: sixth
Regarding the Vols, they said this: “With the victory over Iowa in the Citrus Bowl, Nico Iamaleava shown why he is the team’s quarterback of the future. Josh Heupel’s offense should be entertaining to watch, and wide receiver Bru McCoy is making a comeback after sustaining a season-ending injury only five games into the year. Jermod McCoy, a former Oregon State defensive back, could immediately contribute in the secondary, while Chris Brazzell, a Tulane wide receiver, could be a stealthy excellent addition.
PFF (Max Chadwick): ranked 17th nationally
SEC standings: sixth
Regarding the Vols, they said: “In its 35-0 rout of No. 20 Iowa in the Citrus Bowl, Tennessee fans witnessed a look into the future. When Nico Iamaleava, a true freshman, entered the competition, he displayed all of the talent that earned him a top-10 recruit. In the end, he achieved an 85.0 passing mark while facing one of the top defenses in the country.
Conversely, edge defender James Pearce Jr. of the Volunteers is a possible top-five pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. The sophomore’s 21.9% pass-rush win percentage was seventh in the country, and his 21.3% pressure rate was only lower than Laiatu Latu’s among the Power Five edges.
Athlon Sports (Steven Lassan): Currently ranked 11th nationally
SEC standings: sixth
Regarding the Vols, they stated: “Look no farther than Knoxville if you’re searching for one of 2024’s top breakout players. Former five-star prospect Nico Iamaleava is replacing Joe Milton at quarterback. Iamaleava’s stellar debut in the Citrus Bowl victory over Iowa only served to heighten the excitement around his ’24 season. Along with a strong group of skill players that includes receivers Chris Brazzell II (a Tulane transfer) and Bru McCoy, as well as running backs Dylan Sampson and Cameron Seldon, the California native is well-supported. Under coordinator Tim Banks, Tennessee’s defense has improved in previous years, but there is still space for improvement after giving up 5.83 yards per play in SEC games in ’23. One of the best returning defenders in the SEC is edge rusher James Pearce.