By Tony Thomas
Tennessee is coming off a 9-4 season (4-4 in the SEC) and return 52% of their production from a season ago. The Vols will start an inexperienced but highly talented quarterback in 2024.
And, they return experience on offense at running back, offensive line, and wide receiver. Plus, they went into the transfer portal to bolster their roster and provide depth, including three transfers that will certainly make an impact on Rocky Top.
WR Chris Brazzell II
Previous School: Tulane Green Wave
6’5”, 195 lbs.
A 3rd Team All-AAC selection in 2023, Chris Brazzell II hauled in 44 passes for 711 yards and five touchdowns. In addition, Brazzell recorded two games of over 100 yards, against Memphis and FAU.
Michael Pratt 🎯➡️ Chris Brazzell II
What a throw and catch that led to a Tulane touchdown! @Mpratt_ @Chris_Brazzell7 pic.twitter.com/8mRLnMiGH3— The Transfer Portal CFB (@TPortalCFB) November 24, 2023
In the UTSA game, Brazzell caught five balls for 93 yards and two touchdowns. And, he produced three games with five or more catches. Brazzell joins a talented receiver room that returns Bru McCoy and Squirrel White.
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S Jakobe Thomas
Previous School: Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders
6’2”, 190 lbs.
Jakobe Thomas recorded 71 tackles, three tackles for loss, broke up five passes, forced a fumble, and blocked a kick, and was not named to any All-CUSA team.
Jakobe Thomas, Defensive Player of the Week
2 INTs, 1 returned for TD@MT_FB | #CUSAFB pic.twitter.com/0N5CYYZlrM
— Conference USA (@ConferenceUSA) November 28, 2022
Against Liberty, Thomas made 11 tackles. In the Murray State game, Thomas recorded six tackles, one tackle for loss, and forced a fumble. On the season, Thomas posted four games of eight tackles or more.
OT Zalance Heard
Previous School: LSU Tigers
6’6”, 335 lbs.
A former 5-star recruit and #3 OT (according to 247Sports), Zalance Heard saw action in 12 games for LSU. Now he brings his 7-foot wing span and 36-inch arms to Knoxville to fill a position of need for head coach Josh Heupel, especially since he lost Gerald Mincey to the portal.
Tennessee has received a crystal ball prediction by On3 for transfer 5 star LSU OT Zalance Heard pic.twitter.com/n8WOL6Tw4o
— CHANNEL TN (@CHANNEL_TN_) January 12, 2024
Heard joins a veteran offensive line that returns three seniors in Cooper Mays, John Campbell, Jr., and Dayne Davis. Heard earned SEC All-Freshman honors last season after allowing zero sacks in 200 snaps, but landed in the unfortunate position of being stuck behind All-SEC performers Will Campbell and Emery Jones on the LSU depth chart.
The Vols have talent on both sides of the ball, but will need younger players to step up and contribute more, including QB Nico Iamaleava, the #2 QB and #2 overall recruit in the Class of 2023. Iamaleava got his first start in the Citrus Bowl against Iowa and took over the game, completing 63% of his passes and accounting for four touchdowns in a 35-0 shutout of the Hawkeyes. The future is bright at the quarterback position for the young gunslinger, and the Vols.
