As we reach mid-June, the upcoming college football season seems both distant and imminent. Teams like Tennessee football and others are intensifying their preparations for the impending kickoffs.
Looking ahead to 2024, the Volunteers appear intriguing. Following their standout 2022 season, which saw them briefly hold the top spot in the nation—a rarity for Knoxville in recent decades—Tennessee experienced a slight setback in 2023. Departures of key receivers and veteran quarterback Hendon Hooker left uncertainties despite high expectations following an 11-2 finish.
Michigan transfer quarterback Joe Milton didn’t quite meet expectations in replacing Hooker, and injuries to receivers like Bru McCoy further challenged the passing game. Nonetheless, Tennessee’s offense ranked 19th nationally, scoring 53 touchdowns and averaging 6.76 yards per play and 448 yards per game. This marked a decline from their top-ranked performance the previous year, where they averaged 7.2 yards per play and 525.5 yards per game.
Despite these challenges, achieving a 9-4 record with consecutive bowl victories represents significant progress, especially considering the program’s struggles over the past two decades.
Looking forward to 2024, the question remains: can Tennessee replicate or exceed these achievements?
Tennessee football should be improved in 2024
Similar to their momentum last year culminating in an Orange Bowl victory over Clemson, Tennessee football enters the new season with positive momentum. Following a brief two-game losing streak in November, including losses to SEC powerhouses Georgia and Missouri, the Vols rebounded with convincing wins over Vanderbilt and a Citrus Bowl triumph against 20th-ranked Iowa to cap off their campaign.
Highlighting their postseason success, the Citrus Bowl showcased a promising glimpse into the future. With quarterback Joe Milton opting out of the bowl game, highly-touted freshman Nico Iamaleava stepped up to lead the team.
Tennessee football starting QB Nico Iamaleava will keep the Vols competitive in the SEC
After Hendon Hooker exhausted his eligibility and departed for the NFL, it came as little surprise who would step into the starting quarterback role for Tennessee football. Joe Milton, who had transferred from Michigan to Knoxville and briefly started ahead of Hooker in the 2021 season, patiently awaited his opportunity and was slated to take the reins for 2023 barring unforeseen circumstances. Despite this, there was a persistent clamor among Vols fans for Nico Iamaleava to get his chance.
Throughout Milton’s tenure, every missed pass or mistake amplified calls for Iamaleava to take the field. While the freshman saw limited action primarily in garbage time during the regular season, his true debut came in the Citrus Bowl.
After Milton started 12 games, the season’s 13th and final matchup against Iowa, known for their formidable defense, was handed to Iamaleava. In a resounding 35-0 victory over the Hawkeyes, the young quarterback made an immediate impact, scoring three rushing touchdowns (from 19 yards, three yards, and two yards) and adding another via an 18-yard pass to McCallan Castles. He completed the game with 12 completions on 19 attempts, amassing 151 passing yards and 27 rushing yards, showcasing his potential on a grand stage.
Iamaleava arrived in Knoxville with high expectations, hailed as a consensus five-star recruit and the nation’s second-ranked quarterback prospect by 247Sports. Vols fans eagerly anticipated his ascent to the starting role, which now becomes a reality for the upcoming 2024 season.
With the College Football Playoff expanding, the quarterback’s pivotal role and skill set make Iamaleava a transformative figure for Tennessee football this year. His emergence promises a new era and boundless possibilities for the team as they prepare to compete at the highest levels of collegiate football.
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