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5 Things Tennessee football is thankful for this season

On3 imageby:Eric Cain•about 8 hours•

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Tennessee CB Jermod McCoy. Credit: UT Athletics
Tennessee CB Jermod McCoy. Credit: UT Athletics

Happy Thanksgiving everybody. Football is always special around this holiday as it marks the kickoff to rivalry week. For Tennessee, the Vols need just one win over in-state rival Vanderbilt to punch their ticket into the College Football Playoffs.

So, with this being a successful football season in Knoxville, what are some things (or people) the Tennessee football program is thankful for this year? We list five below.

Tim Banks

The Volquest staff spent much of the offseason speaking on how the defense should take a step in 2024 and should be more athletic in the backend. That has been abundantly clear through 11 regular season games, but I don’t think anyone outside of that locker room expected this type of production.   

Tennessee’s defense, led by coordinator Tim Banks, ranks second in the Southeastern Conference in points allowed (13.1), rushing yards allowed (98.5), total yards allowed (284.0) and fourth in passing yards allowed (185.5) per game. The Vols lead the conference and place fifth nationally in third down defense (28%), is tied for sixth nationally in tackles for loss (88) and is seventh in the country in redzone defense (71.7%).

Tim Banks is having his best season calling Tennessee’s defense and is once again a Broyles Award nominee, an award given annually to the nation’s top-assistant coach. Tennessee is thankful for Tim Banks, whose defense has kept the Volunteers right in the thick of the College Football Playoff hunt all season long.   

Dylan Sampson

Tennessee running back Dylan Sampson has been phenomenal in 2024. The soon-to-be All-American has been the focal point of the Volunteer offense and has carried the load when the passing game has been inconsistent at times this season. The junior has broken several single-season Tennessee records this year and could potentially break some all-time records by the conclusion of his junior campaign.

Sampson is currently seventh nationally in rushing yards (1,307) and third in rushing touchdowns (22) – leading the SEC in both categories. He’s surpassed 100 yards in nine of 11 regular season games to date and leads the SEC in pretty much every rushing category including yards, touchdowns, rushing touchdowns in SEC games, consecutive games with a touchdown (11), rushing yards in SEC games, 100-yard games, points scored, all-purpose yards and more.

Somehow, he wasn’t named a finalist for the Doak Walker Award. That’s interesting to say the least and really calls into question the credibility of the committee who vote on such things. Regardless, Tennessee is super thankful for Dylan Sampson.    

Jermod McCoy

Tennessee’s best get from the transfer portal this offseason is cornerback Jermod McCoy and it’s not even close.

The former Oregon State standout went to college to play wide receiver following an impressive track and field high school career. A move to the defensive side of the ball has proved to pay off as McCoy is nothing short of a lockdown cornerback in the Souteaytsern Conference as a sophomore.

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The defensive back has three interceptions on the season and 12 passes defended. He’s on his way to becoming an All-SEC performer in his first year in the league. His emergence, coupled with fellow sophomore Rickey Gibson, give the Vols a serious 1-2 punch at the position. McCoy is on his way to being All-SEC at corner and has been a breath of fresh air for the Vols this season.    

Nico Iamaleava

Tennessee added highly-touted, five-star quarterback and No. 1 ranked player in the 2023 cycle – Nico Iamaleava – to its roster nearly two years ago. After redshirting and watching veteran Joe Milton in 2023, Iamaleava got the keys to the offense this year and hasn’t looked back.

Sure, it’s not all been perfect and there’s been some learning curves along the way. The best thing about the redshirt freshman signal-caller is, however, he’s not even scratched the surface of his best football yet. Still, he’s made impressive throws into tight windows this season and made several off-platform plays to extend drivees.

With Iamaleava under center, Tennessee’s offense has a much higher ceiling. The Vols will need some of that good play this weekend as they look to secure a spot in the college football playoffs this Saturday with a win over Vanderbilt in the mid-state.

12-Team College Football Playoff

Are you not entertained? This season has been an absolute blast with ‘must win’ or ‘elimination games’ dating back to the first weekend of October. Whoever believed expanding the College Football Playoffs would devalue the regular season, well, it’s pretty clear it’s done the complete opposite.

Tennessee is a beneficiary in this regard. Right now, with a 9-2 record, the Vols would be on the outside looking into a four-team playoff like in year’s past. Instead, thanks to the craziness that is the SEC, Tennessee could even be hosting a playoff game in mid-December. How cool is that?  

Every game means more. Every week means more. In Tennessee’s case, the regular season-ending ballgame in Nashville means so much more. You win and you’re win. It’s as simple as that. Tennessee is thankful for the expanded playoff because without it, Vol fans would be looking ahead to routine bowl sites to plan their Ney Year’s holiday.   

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