Josh Heupel breaks down keys to growth, players to watch in wide receiver room

Tennessee entered a new era during the Citrus Bowl against Iowa, having quarterback Nico Iamaleava become the starting quarterback. It’s a move Vols fans have been waiting on for quite some time. Head coach Josh Heuepel is as excited as anybody but knows more than Iamaleava has to play well for the offense to click.

Heupel believes the wide receiver room is incredibly important for Iamaleava. He will be a first-year starting quarterback and having consistent weapons around him will help him through the process.

“The growth of our wide receiver room will be important,” Heupel said. “When you have a young quarterback that 10 other guys are around him, it’s important that those guys play at a consistent, high level so that he can operate and go be efficient and effective and go be his best too.”

So who will Iamaleava be throwing to in 2024? Arguably his most reliable target will be Tennessee’s leading receiver from a season, ago Squirrel White. Returning to Knoxville after 67 receptions and 803 yards, White is hoping for similar numbers this season.

And then Heupel is pretty excited about two youngsters inside the program, hoping to get the true freshmen some snaps. They have been practicing with Tennessee since Citrus Bowl preparation and will get back out there for spring ball.

“Squirrel White, his continued growth,” Heupel said. “We’ve got some young players that just got here in bowl preparation. Two signees in Mike (Matthews) and Braylon (Staley). Excited to see them out on the grass here as we get into spring ball. Just constant growth.”

Heupel made sure to give Bru McCoy a shoutout as well, who is still going through the rehab process and getting back to full health.

“Excited to get Bru back healthy here as we go through the offseason and into training camp,” Heupel said. “Extremely mature, tough, physical, consistent player.”

Just four names were listed specifically by Heupel but he believes the 2024 wide receiver group will be the deepest it’s been since he arrived in Knoxville. Tennessee will have the luxury of being able to rotate guys out there and make sure players are fresh.

“That room, as we’ve built our roster the last couple of years is the deepest that we’ve been at,” Heupel said. “That provides great competition, driving them every day in whatever phase of the offseason we’re in. But I also think it gives us an opportunity to play more bodies than we’ve been able to.”