The Tennessee Volunteers are entering their fourth year under head coach Josh Heupel.
Over the last two seasons, the Vols have won an average of ten games, and it appears that the Jeremy Pruitt era of Volunteer football has come to an end. With its vertical choice offense, this Heupel football squad has become an offensive force in both the air and on the ground. While developing into a tremendously opportunistic football club on the defensive side of the ball.
They’ve also used their on-field success to boost their recruitment prospects. According to 247sports.com, their 2024 signing class ranks 13th in the consensus rankings. However, it is somewhat star-studded. Today, we’ll look at the true freshmen who will have an effect on this roster during the 2024 season.
Jordan Ross, EDGE
It’s difficult enough for a freshman to compete in the SEC. You must have a number of factors working in your favor, the most crucial of which are the chance to play and the physical ability to do so. Jordan Ross, at 6’5, 240 pounds, is physically prepared for this conference. Though James Pearce Jr., the conference’s greatest returning rusher, remains on the roster, Joshua Josephs and Caleb Herring will also play. However, situational rushes may be something Ross sees as a true freshman this fall.
Mike Matthews, WR
Over the past three years in Knoxville, Heupel’s system has demonstrated that if you are a playmaker, you will find your way onto the field early. That is exactly who Mike Matthews, a five-star freshman wide receiver, is. He’s a huge play waiting to happen in an offense built around big plays. It may not be instant; he may develop into a role by the middle of the season, similar to Squirrel White’s rookie season, when he received 408 of his 481 yards in the final seven games of the season.
Peyton Lewis, RB
With the departure of lead back Jaylen Wright to the NFL Draft, the Vols now have 137 carries from a year ago to distribute, and if there’s one position where inexperienced players who may not fully understand the system can still get on the field, it’s running back. Peyton Lewis possesses a unique attribute shared by all outstanding players in the Heupel offense: explosivity. After all, this is a 10.6 100-meter runner. This is an extremely unique burner.
Other Worth Noting:
- Braylon Staley, WR
- Boo Carter, S
- Kaleb Beasley, CB
- Hellen Lindstrom, DL
Tennessee opens the 2024 Regular Season against UT-Chattanooga inside Neyland Stadium on August 31st.
