Ranking Tennessee’s offensive position groups for 2024

As Tennessee begins to turn its attention to spring practices, the Vols' roster outlook is becoming clearer.

On the offensive side of the ball, transfer portal additions, incoming freshmen and veteran players who have opted to return have begun to shape up and provide a glimpse of what certain positions will look like next season.

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There aren't many question marks for the Vols offensively. Quarterback and running back are seemingly set after strong showings in the Citrus Bowl earlier this month while Tennessee returns much of its offensive line production.

Here is a look at the Vols' offensive position groups and where the rank heading into next season.

Tennessee faced the possibility of losing a number of key pieces of its offensive line following its the bowl game.

Instead, the Vols will have one of more experienced fronts in the SEC next season.

Tennessee will return starting center Cooper Mays, tackle John Campbell Jr. and right guard Javontez Spraggins, all of which have a combined 126 games and 95 starts in their careers.

Dayne Davis, who started three games during the 2023 season, brings experience to the tackle position as a sixth-year senior while Jackson Lampley is back for a sixth season after appearing 12 games with one start at guard.

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Tennessee lost Gerald Mincey to the transfer portal and Ollie Lane is out of eligibility, but the Vols added former five star Zalance Heard from LSU who is expected the anchor the left tackle position, sliding Campbell to the right.

Size and experience up front should set Tennessee up for success on offense with a new quarterback in Nico Iamaleava and a running backs room headlined by Dylan Sampson, who was part of a group that posted more than 200 yards per game last season behind much of the pieces that will headline the offensive line next season.

It will be hard to replicate the success that the Tennessee run game had in 2023.

Jaylen Wright spearheaded a three-man room and often carried the Vols' offense after the passing game took a step back.

Wright rushed for 1,013 yards on 137 carries and averaged 7.4 yards per carry on his way to becoming the program's first 1,000-yard rusher since Jalen Hurd in 2015.

With Wright heading to the NFL Draft, Tennessee will need to make up for a large chunk of the production lost but Dylan Sampson could fill that void. He impressed as a freshman a year ago and moved into the No. 2 spot behind Sampson by the end of the regular season.

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The dynamic Sampson totaled 779 all-purpose yards, including 604 yards on the ground on 106 carries. He rushed for 133 yards in his starting debut against Iowa in the Citrus Bowl.

Behind Sampson, Cam Seldon is expected to increase his load after playing limited snaps as a freshman. At 6-foot-2, 222 pounds, Seldon add size to the position and impressed as the second back in the rotation during the bowl game, picking up a critical first down on a fourth-and-short conversion.

Khalifa Keith and incoming four star freshman Peyton Lewis help make up the rest of the potential rotation.

Nico Iamaleava didn't disappoint in his long-awaited first career start.

The former five star in the 2023 signing class spent much of the season backing up Joe Milton III and playing only sparingly, even preserving a redshirt. But with Milton declaring for the draft and opting out of the Citrus Bowl, it provided the first significant playing time for Iamaleava.

Iamaleava rushed for three touchdowns and passed for another in Tennessee's 35-0 win over Iowa. He was 12-of-19 passing for 151 yards and completed more than 63% of his passes.

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Tennessee is set at the position for at least the next two seasons and Iamaleava is set up for instant success with much of the offensive line returning and key pieces at skill positions.

The Vols have had capable backups over the last three years of Josh Heupel's tenure, between Hendon Hooker, Milton and Iamaleava. Gaston Moore is entering his fourth season in the program and his fifth under Heupel dating back to their time at Central Florida.

Four star freshman Jake Merklinger, who was the quarterback signee of the 2024 class will compete for at least the third spot behind Moore.

Tennessee's wide receiving corps was surprisingly underwhelming last season.

There were flashes but the group struggled with consistency after having to replace Biletnikoff Award winner Jalin Hyatt and All-SEC standout Cedric Tillman.

Still, the Vols returned a veteran in Ramel Keyton, who made a number of impressive catches the year before in Tillman's absence and Squirrel White was expected to make a leap as a sophomore.

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It didn't help that Tennessee lost Bru McCoy to a season-ending injury in the first month of the season and later Oregon transfer Dont'e Thornton Jr. who was beginning to make strides as an outside receiver before his injury.

Keyton is gone, but the Vols get McCoy, White and Thornton back as well as Nathan Leacock, Kaleb Webb and Chas Nimrod who saw more playing time than expected because of injuries.

Tennessee added former Tulane receiver Chris Brazzell II from the transfer portal after he caught 44 passes for 711 yards and five touchdowns last season. The Vols also had one of the best receiver hauls in the 2024 class, signing five star Mike Matthews and four star Brandon Staley.

Tennessee will have to make up for the loss of two veteran players at tight end.

Jacob Warren, who had his most productive season in his six years with the Vols with 16 receptions for 191 yards and four touchdowns, as well as McCallan Castles are out of eligibility.

A former four star prospect, Ethan Davis is entering his second season after playing limited snaps but provides Tennessee with a pass-catching option at the position. Davis flashed his ability as a downfield threat in the spring game last season with a sideline catch on a ball thrown by Iamaleava.

MORE FROM VOLREPORT: Impact analysis: What are the Vols getting in transfer TE Holden Staes?

As for blocking, the coaching staff added one of the top available tight ends out of the transfer portal in Holden Staes from Notre Dame. Staes had 15 receptions for 176 yards and four touchdowns with the Fighting Irish last season.

Staes is one of two transfer tight ends that Tennessee added to its roster. Former JUCO and Alabama tight end Miles Kitselman adds depth to the room, given the Vols rotation of two tight ends.

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