Tennessee will open fall camp on Wednesday, exactly one month before the Vols' season opener against Chattanooga at Neyland Stadium.

On the eve of head coach Josh Heupel's fourth season leading the program, there is a mixture of optimism and expectations with some questions marks littered in.

TALK ABOUT IT IN THE ROCKY TOP FORUM

Offensively, Tennessee is teeming with potential. A veteran offensive line returns, but the Vols are breaking in a new quarterback in Nico Iamaleava, who is preparing to take over as the full-time starter after limited appearances a year ago.

The wide receiving room features a mix of returning experience and newcomers teeming with potential, while Dylan Sampson now leads the running backs room after two seasons as the backup.

On defense, the Vols are anchored by a defensive line that returns nearly all of its key pieces from a year ago, while linebacker is balanced with senior leadership and underclassmen that are looking to build of strong freshmen seasons in 2023.

The secondary could also be a strong suit for the Vols this season, though it will have a new look compared to years past.

A day before Tennessee hits the practice field, here are three storylines to monitor over the next few weeks.

Tennessee's offenses were headlined by a quarterback with significant starting experience in the first three years under Josh Heupel.

Joe Milton III had started multiple games at Michigan before joining the Vols in 2021, as did Hendon Hooker, who started at Virginia Tech previously before record-setting two seasons as Tennessee's starting signal caller.

Nico Iamaleava, who arrived in Knoxville as a highly touted five-star prospect in December 2022, appeared in just four games as a freshman and made one start, though it was an impressive one in the Vols' 35-0 thumping of Iowa in the Citrus Bowl.

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Iamaleava was the unquestioned starter for 2024 as soon as he made it to campus as an early enrollee 19 months ago, and has now been in the system for more than a year, so he isn't entering fall camp in complete unfamiliar territory.

The consensus is that his ability to make plays on the run and his accuracy in the passing game will enhance Tennessee offensively after taking a step back last season, and the 9 pounds he put on over the offseason should add to his game.

Though a liability at times in the previous three seasons, Tennessee's secondary has shown steady improvement. Now, the task will be trying to continue that trend with some new pieces.

The Vols lost eight players from the secondary dating back to the end of the regular season, some to eligibility and the NFL Draft while others transferred out.

The good news for Tennessee is that freshmen from a year ago were able to see the field and gain valuable experience.

MORE FROM VOLREPORT: Tennessee Football Position Preview: Secondary

Those players, including Rickey Gibson III, who played in 13 games and saw an increased role later in the season, will now compete for a starting spot at corner. A former Ohio State transfer, Andre Turrentine will also battle for a starting role at safety as he enters his third year in the program.

Two transfers that joined the team before spring practices and have now be with the team for more than five months are Jermod McCoy (Oregon State) and Jakobe Thomas (Middle Tennessee State).

Both add experience to the room after strong seasons at their previous schools with McCoy looking to fill in the other corner spot and Thomas going for one of the two safety positions.

Tennessee has reason to be optimistic at nearly every position, but its strongest positions heading into fall camp are undoubtedly up front.

The offensive line is all but set with senior Cooper Mays holding down center and senior Javontez Spraggins, who missed time late last season and the spring with an injury, returns at right guard.

John Campbell Jr. was a major contributor at left tackle after transferring in from Miami last season, but moved over to the right side in the spring to make way for former five-star offensive lineman and LSU transfer Lance Heard, who is expected to anchor left tackle.

MORE FROM VOLREPORT: Tennessee Football Position Preview: Defensive Line

Depth will be key, as evidenced by early last season when Mays missed the first four games with injury and Spraggins missed the last two. Dayne Davis proved his versatility in the spring and can play center and tackle if needed.

The defensive line is equally as veteran-laden. Perhaps no edge rusher has received as much offseason attention as LEO James Pearce Jr., who had a stellar sophomore campaign and projected to be a top 10 NFL Draft pick in 2025.

The interior features returning starter Omari Thomas, while Omarr Norman-Lott and Bryson Eason will go at it for starting reps at the second tackle position after Eason started there most of last season, but Norman-Lott came on strong in the second half of the year.

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