Where ESPN ranks impact of Tennessee football's 2023 transfers, recruiting class
Tennessee’s 2023 class of transfers and recruits is the 16th best in college football when it comes to instant impact, according to a ranking from ESPN. The Vols were sixth among SEC teams, trailing LSU, Auburn, Ole Miss, Arkansas and Kentucky.
ESPN’s Craig Haubert ranked the classes and teams “based on who could see the most impactful immediate returns for 2023.”
Tennessee’s class was ranked No. 12 in the On3 rankings and came in fourth in the SEC. The prep class was headlined by five-star quarterback Nico Iamaleava, the No. 1 overall player in the On3 ratings, alongside five-star defensive lineman Daevin Hobbs, four-star wide receiver Nathan Leacock, four-star edge rusher Caleb Herring, four-star linebacker Arion Carter, four-star tight end Ethan Davis and four-star athlete Cam Seldon.
ESPN: Tennessee transfer additions ‘should strengthen depth’ this season
The class of transfers was led by Oregon receiver Dont’e Thornton, Texas offensive lineman Adrej Karic, Arizona State defensive lineman Omarr Norman-Lott and UC Davis tight end McCallan Castles.
The Vols also added Miami offensive lineman John Campbell, BYU linebacker Keenan Pili, BYU cornerback Gabe Judy-Lally and Indiana kicker Charles Campbell.
“Pili looks to lead the impact additions,” Haubert wrote, “as he was a two-time captain at BYU and among the Cougars’ leading tacklers when healthy. Campbell arrives from Miami with starting experience and is a strong candidate to fill a hole on an O-line that lost two key members in first-round draft pick Darnell Wright and Jerome Carvin.
“Portal additions Norman-Lott, TE McCallan Castles (UC Davis) and Gabe Judy-Lally (BYU), who had spent time in the SEC at Vanderbilt earlier in his career, are all solid additions who should strengthen depth and play productive roles this season.”
Top 10
- 1New
Tom Brady helped land QB
Michigan got assist on Underwood
- 2
MSU TE hospitalized
Jack Velling injured on first possession
- 3
Rhett Lashlee
SMU coach gets extension
- 4
Justin Fields
OSU legend to make CGD picks
- 5Hot
Bryce Underwood
Michigan flips No. 1 QB Bryce Underwood from LSU
Tennessee is looking to build off the momentum of its 11-2 season in Year 2 under Josh Heupel. The Vols won 10 games in the regular season for the first time since 2003 and won 11 games for the first time since 2001.
Joe Milton takes over for Vols at QB, alongside five-star Nico Iamaleava
Hendon Hooker was a Heisman Trophy frontrunner before tearing his ACL in November, after leading Tennessee to an 8-0 start to the season and a No. 1 ranking in the first College Football Playoff Top 25 of the season.
But now Heupel turns his offense over to redshirt senior Joe Milton III at quarterback as Tennessee is forced to move on after Hooker was a third-round pick in the NFL Draft back in April.
“Joe Milton III will likely be QB1, but highly touted signee Nico Iamaleava could be viewed as QB1a,” Haubert wrote. “QB depth is limited on the Vols’ roster, so the ESPN 300 top-five QB prospect could play a role this season; if he doesn’t, he already has shown signs of being their QB of the future. Carter was a late riser on the recruiting trail after making the switch from RB to LB, and he looks like he could continue a quick ascent and be in the mix defensively in year one.
“Two of the Vols’ leading receivers are gone, and Thornton, despite minimal proven production, is a big 2021 ESPN 300 prospect who brings ability and eligibility, making him a player to watch. New additions via the 2023 class look to have the RB room in Knoxville deep in talent and primed for the future.”
