Game Week is finally here, which means it’s time to release the final rankings, lists, and predictions before Week 1 officially begins this weekend.
ESPN’s Max Olson and Eli Lederman sat down to determine the 100 best new recruits in college football this season, including both transfer portal additions and true freshmen.
Tennessee has had three players make the top-100 list, all three players coming out of the transfer portal. Despite a handful of impressive newcomers on the field this fall, no Tennessee rookie made the list.
The portal players are not ranked in numerical order, but in groups. Tennessee’s first choice, LSU transfer OT Lance Heard, lands in the Great men Category.
“Heard, the third-best offensive tackle recruit in the 2023 class, left LSU after playing 195 snaps (one start) in his freshman season,” Olson and Lederman wrote. “The 6-foot-6, 335-pound tackle has a clear shot at playing time as the Vols’ starting left tackle and has an extremely bright future in his first season as a full-time starter.”
With Heard’s arrival at left tackle, Tennessee was able to move John Campbell Jr. to the right side of the line, strengthening Nico Iamaleava’s pocket from the sides of the line.
The second Vol to land in the rankings, cornerback Jermod McCoy, lands in the Dynamic defenders Category. McCoy played for Oregon State as a freshman in 2023 and recorded 31 total tackles, 16 solo tackles, one fumble recovery, two interceptions and seven passes defended. Given the number of turnovers Tennessee had in the secondary this offseason, McCoy has a clear chance to make an impact at Rocky Top.
“Here’s another defensive back who has shown exciting potential in 2023,” ESPN wrote. “The 6-foot-4, 195-pound cornerback started five games as a rookie for the Beavers and led the team with nine passes defensed (seven PBUs, two interceptions). McCoy brings impressive skill and a source said he did some ‘special stuff’ for the Vols in fall camp, so expectations are high for his sophomore season.”
The last Vol on the list has the most potential for big games on the team. ESPN places former Tulane wide receiver Chris Brazell II in the Going up Category at the beginning of the season.
Brazzell had a standout year at Tulane last season and is looking to continue to raise his profile with the Vols. Brazzell has natural athletic ability and a knack for locating the ball and throwing it high, as seen on a few occasions during Tennessee’s fall training camp in August.
Just another highlight from Chris Brazzell👀 pic.twitter.com/cdfKiMurrx
— Rocky Top Now (@rockytopnow) 12 August 2024
More from RTI: Dan Mullen predicts Tennessee will be left out of SEC title race
“After leading the 2023 Green Wave with 44 catches for 711 yards and five touchdowns, Brazzell transferred to the SEC and is working hard to become a difference-maker for Tennessee,” Olson and Lederman wrote. “The Vols return proven pass-catchers in Squirrel White and Bru McCoy and have a deep selection of wideouts, but their coaches see serious high-end talent in Brazzell.”
All three of Tennessee’s drafted players are expected to start for the Vols this season, but we won’t know more until the Vols’ first roster is released Monday afternoon and definitely when the game kicks off this Saturday.
No. 15 Tennessee opens the season on Saturday, August 31 at 12:45 p.m. ET against Chattanooga at Neyland Stadium.
Former Tennessee defensive lineman Tyler Baron (Miami) and former Tennessee linebacker Elijah Herring (Memphis) also land on ESPN’s list.
Stay tuned to Rocky Top Insider for more coverage from Tennessee before kickoff.
