Senior leaders will head to Texas.
Josh Heupel and Tennessee football have announced their 2024 SEC Media Days representatives. The event, which will shift to Dallas this year, is scheduled for July 15-18.
Tennessee will send senior defensive tackle Omari Thomas, senior center Cooper Mays and senior linebacker Keenan Pili to speak with the media.
Ready to talk in Dallas
Coop, Keenan and Big O (+ Coach Heup) will represent us at #SECMD24#GBO pic.twitter.com/dBg832yavz
— Tennessee Football (@Vol_Football) July 8, 2024
Thomas and Mays — two former in-state prospects — have been pillars of this program for several years now. Both former four-star recruits quickly grew into starting roles once arriving in Knoxville and have been massive parts of Josh Heupel’s quick rebuild.
Thomas made six starts in 2021 before growing into a full time starter role in 2022. He posted a career-high 35 tackles last season, putting up 4.5 tackles for loss. Thomas graduated in May and will play his final season of eligibility this fall.
Mays made two starts as a true freshman back in 2020 before assuming the starting gig in 2021, where he’s remained ever since. He’s had to battle through some injuries here and there, but his stability at a key position has been a huge plus for Heupel over the last three seasons. He enters his final season of eligibility already with 32 career starts and 40 total games played.
Pili, which was a bit of a surprise pick here from Heupel, is hoping for a do-over in his final season in Knoxville. The BYU transfer was hurt in week one against Virginia last year and was never able to get back into the lineup. Now with a very young linebacker core behind him on the depth chart, his senior leadership will be huge for Tim Banks in 2024.
Tennessee’s slot in Dallas is set for Tuesday, July 16th. They’ll handle the last slot of the day late in the afternoon. SEC Network will have the coverage.