True Freshman Report: Tracking Tennessee's True Freshmen through the first four games of the season

Tennessee is off to a fast start a third of the way through the season. The Vols improved to 4-0 on Saturday night with a 25-15 victory over then No.15 Oklahoma on the road. Josh Heupel’s program is ranked No.5 in the country heading into the first open week of the season, and several freshmen have already made their mark during the 2024 campaign. Volquest takes a look at the true freshmen in this report.

True Freshmen to Participate in a Game

Through four games, the Vols have been able to get plenty of work for their freshman class, especially in routs of UTC and Kent State. Below is a list of freshmen, including freshmen walk-ons, who have participated so far. The total number of games played is indicated in the parentheses.

DB Kaleb Beasley (4), DB Boo Carter (4), DB Edrees Farooq (4), DB Colin Brazell (2), DL Carson Gentle (2), OL Gage Ginther (2), DB Marcus Goree Jr. (2), TE Cole Harrison (2), DL Isaiah Inge (2), RB Peyton Lewis (4), LB Ryan Scott (3), DL Kellen Lindstrom (2), DB Jackson Matthews (2), QB Jake Merklinger (2), OL Jesse Perry (2), DL Jordan Ross (3), OL William Satterwhite (3), OL Jeremias Heard (1), LB Grier Short (2), WR Malcolm Kinzer (1), OL Bennett Warren (2), LB Edwin Spillman (2), WR Braylon Harmon (1), WR Mike Matthews (2), and WR Braylon Staley (1).

Boo Carter flashes ability early in the season

True freshmen Boo Carter came into the 2024 season with plenty of expectations. Those only amplified after veteran defensive back Jourdan Thomas sustained an ACL injury early in the season. Carter has been splitting time at the STAR position with Christian Harrison, and the freshman defensive back has displayed his natural ability early on.

In his debut against UTC, Carter played 30 total snaps and led the team with two quarterback hurries. He also made two tackles during the contest.

A week later against N.C. State, Carter again logged time and recorded two more tackles. Carter just made one tackle the following week against Kent State, but he returned two punts for 55 yards.

Carter left Saturday’s contest against Oklahoma with an undisclosed injury, but not before making two tackles and breaking up a pass.

Mike Matthews makes leaping touchdown catch in debut

Mike Matthews dealt with a nagging hamstring issue to start the 2024 season, but he made his debut against Kent State. The former five-star made an early impact. He hauled in two passes, including a leaping touchdown catch. He also returned a kick for 32 yards against the Flashes.

Merklinger sees work against UTC, Kent State

Jake Merklinger got in for some limited work against UTC and Kent State. The freshman signal-caller went 4-4 for 31 yards against the Mocs, while he went 2-5 for 17 yards against Kent State. He added another 21 yards on the ground against the flashes.

Ross becomes first freshman to score a touchdown

Jordan Ross becoming the first player from Tennessee’s 2024 class to score a touchdown was most likely not on anyone’s bingo card. The highly talented freshman blocked a punt then scooped it up for a touchdown late in the fourth quarter against UTC.

Ross missed the Kent State game due to an undisclosed injury, but he still got defensive work in two of Tennessee’s first four games. He has recorded 1.5 TFLS through four games.

Lewis gets some early opportunities in Tennessee’s backfield

Peyton Lewis has been excellent on Tennessee’s kickoff team. His track speed and bigger frame has allowed him to make plays, and he was even selected as one of Tennessee’s special teams player of the week after Tennessee’s win over N.C. State. Fellow freshman Kaleb Beasley was also selected for this honor the same week.

Tennessee’s backfield is deep with the emergence of DeSean Bishop, but Lewis has still got some early touches to start his career. His most productive day came against Kent State when he carried the ball ten times for 99 yards.

Edrees Farooq shows why Vols valued him so much during the recruiting process

Edrees Farooq was not a highly-rated recruit, but Tennessee was all about the safety from Maryland. Farooq has made the most of his early opportunities this fall, as he has flown around making tackles and bringing big hits with him.

Through four games, Farooq has made 10 total tackles and added a tackle for a loss.