- Head coach: Josh Heupel (fourth season)
- 2023 record: 9-4 (won Citrus Bowl)
- PFF power ranking: 16th
- Chance to win SEC: 4%
- Strength of schedule: 37th
- Projected win total: 7.3
- FanDuel win total: 9.5
- 2024 recruiting rank (On3): No. 13 nationally, No. 8 in the SEC
Year 3 of the Josh Heupel era at Tennessee might not have been as magical as 2022, but the Volunteers still finished with a 9-4 record that was capped off by a Citrus Bowl victory over Iowa.
Tennessee has now finished in the top 20 of the AP poll in back-to-back seasons, something it hadn’t accomplished in 19 years. The Volunteers have high expectations to keep the good times rolling in 2024, thanks to a potentially explosive offense. The biggest questions come defensively. Outside of superstar edge defender James Pearce Jr., the Volunteers have major concerns on that side of the ball.
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Biggest Strength: High-upside passing game
Tennessee’s passing game has immense potential this season. Quarterback Nico Iamaleava is a former top-three overall recruit and flashed in the Citrus Bowl against Iowa, posting an 84.9 grade in the victory. The Volunteers also have a top-15 receiving corps in the nation and an innovative offensive mind in head coach Josh Heupel.
Biggest Weakness: Will James Pearce Jr. be enough for the defense?
While Tennessee’s defense features the nation’s best pass-rusher in James Pearce Jr., many questions remain on that side of the ball. The biggest of which are at the second and third levels. Of the nine Volunteer linebackers/cornerbacks/safeties that played 300 snaps last year, only one returned.
2023 Team Overview
Offense |
||||
| EPA per play | Yards per play | Successful play rate | Explosive run play rate | Explosive pass play rate |
| 0.063 | 6.4 | 39.2% | 20.7% | 12.9% |
| 43rd | T-25 | 20th | 6th | T-89th |
Defense |
||||
| EPA allowed per play | Yards allowed per play | Successful play rate allowed | Explosive run rate allowed | Explosive pass rate allowed |
| -0.108 | 5.1 | 30.4% | 14.1% | 15.2% |
| 23rd | T-26th | 19th | 47th | T-97th |
Three Notable Transfer Portal Additions
- OT Lance Heard (LSU): 71.4 PFF grade
- WR Chris Brazzell II (Tulane): 76.3 PFF grade
- CB Jermod McCoy (Oregon State): 64.2 PFF grade
Three Notable Transfer Portal Losses
- EDGE Tyler Baron (Miami FL): 78.5 PFF grade
- S Tamarion McDonald (Louisville): 76.3 PFF grade
- CB Doneiko Slaughter (Arkansas): 55.5 PFF grade
Quarterback Spotlight: Nico Iamaleava
2023 Grade: 78.0
Key Stat: 85.0 passing grade, four touchdowns in first career start (Citrus Bowl vs. Iowa)
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