Tennessee hired Josh Heupel in January 2021 with a mission of restoring the Volunteers to not just relevancy but championship contention.
Now expectations for the 15th-ranked Vols are their highest in years despite losing 28 scholarships over five years after an NCAA investigation.
“We’re not quite at a full roster yet,” Heupel cautioned. “I really like this team.”
Tennessee opens Heupel's fourth season Saturday at home against Chattanooga, a Football Championship Subdivision team ranked No. 8 in the preseason FCS poll. Heupel is downplaying expectations that seem to grow bigger by the day, especially with quarterback Nico Iamaleava making his first start at Neyland Stadium.
The Vols better not look past Chattanooga to their next game against No. 24 N.C. State in Charlotte. The Mocs have enough talent and experience back from a team that is a Southern Conference favorite after winning a road playoff game last year.
“We’re going to be in an adverse situation Saturday from the time it’s kicked off until the time it’s over,” Chattanooga coach Rusty Wright said.
Iamaleava got his first start in Tennessee's rout of Iowa in the Citrus Bowl after Joe Milton opted out to prepare for the NFL. Wright has seen enough of Iamaleava to know the quarterback can make all the throws.
“The scariest part is when he gets (the football) in his hands and tucks it (to run),” Wright said.
Secondary questions
If there’s one area of the Volunteers that remains a mystery, it’s their defensive secondary.
Six Vols, four with significant playing time, transferred after last season. Then Tennessee lost junior Jourdan Thomas, a projected starter, to a season-ending injury in August. Andre Turrentine, an Ohio State transfer, is in his third year with the Vols. He's also one of the few Tennessee defensive backs with significant experience.
Healthy again
Chattanooga quarterback Chase Artopoeus is in his second year under center for the Mocs. The graduate transfer from UCLA played only two games for the Bruins. He played 10 games last fall before a shoulder injury ended his season, though he still threw for 2,672 yards and 20 touchdowns.
“I’m eager to get back out there,” Artopoeus said. “You realize how much you love (the game).”
On the line
Tennessee is one of four schools that has been a semifinalist for the Joe Moore Award for college football’s best offensive line the last two years along with Oregon, Georgia and Michigan. Four of the Vols' five starters from last year are back led by center Cooper Mays, right tackle John Campbell and right guard Javontez Spraggins with Andrej Karic and Jackson Lampley sharing time at left guard. That group ranked fourth in the SEC giving up just 1.85 sacks per game in 2023.
Where's Boo?
One of the more intriguing questions since signing day last December has been which position Boo Carter will play for Tennessee. The dynamic athlete from Chattanooga was a high school star at receiver, defensive back and as a returner on special teams.
A deep receivers room and some significant voids in the secondary have made Carter a hot commodity in the secondary as the fifth defensive back. He’s also slotted on the depth chart backing up Squirrel White on punt returns.
