The Tennessee Volunteers have placed three key players on three different watch lists this week ahead of the 2024 season. Tennessee has perhaps the best pass rusher in the country, one of the best centers in the nation, along with a player at quarterback with some of the highest upside in college football.
Each were recognized this week by various prominent watch lists.
First up, quarterback Nico Iamaleava landed on the Maxwell Award watch list. The award goes to the most outstanding player in college football. Iamaleava was the only redshirt freshman to appear on the list.
@nico_iamaleava8 has been named to the @MaxwellFootball Award Watchlist.
» https://t.co/fi8hvSzoCf#GBO pic.twitter.com/uIJMrdBsHU
— Tennessee Football (@Vol_Football) July 29, 2024
Iamaleava dazzled in his first start last year against Iowa in the Citrus Bowl and now gets his first full season as the starter this fall. We still haven’t seen much downfield work from Iamaleava just yet, but all of the reviews from the coaching staff and players so far have been glowing this offseason. Heupel’s work with Hendon Hooker back in 2021 and 2022 have people assuming Iamaleava will be next in the pipeline.
Next was Tennessee’s veteran center, Cooper Mays, landing on the Outland Trophy watch list. The award goes to the top interior lineman on either side of the ball.
@CooperMays has been named to the @outlandtrophy Watchlist.
» https://t.co/0WRfnhwc33#GBO pic.twitter.com/Y7sYLTkZaU
— Tennessee Football (@Vol_Football) July 30, 2024
Mays is entering his final season with Tennessee and has been a mainstay up front since even before Josh Heupel arrived. His experience will go a long way in helping Nico settle in as the starter.
Additionally, James Pearce was added to the Bronko Nagurski Trophy watch list, which is given to the best defensive player in all of college football. No surprise there — Pearce is in play to go No. 1 overall next spring in the 2025 NFL Draft. The lanky, explosive pass rusher can do it all, truly emerging as a game-wrecker last season.
Pearce has the attention of every offensive coordinator going forward, likely drawing his fair share of double teams and chips going forward. He’ll lead a Tennessee defensive front that might just be the best collective group on the roster.
The Volunteers open camp today in preparation of their opener one month from now — Chattanooga on August 31st.