The 2024 Tennessee Volunteers football season was one of drama, grit, growth, and flashes of brilliance. From early season dominance to tough SEC battles and a climactic bowl game finish, the Vols once again reminded the college football world why they’re a program to be reckoned with. With high expectations coming into the season, Tennessee’s campaign was closely scrutinized by fans and critics alike. Here’s a comprehensive dive into the scores, stats, and highlights that defined the 2024 Volunteers.
Tennessee finished the 2024 season with a 10-3 record, including a thrilling Citrus Bowl victory over Penn State. The Vols were 6-2 in SEC play, notching marquee wins over Florida, Kentucky, and Texas A&M, while also putting up a fierce fight against Georgia and Alabama.
Key Scores:
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Tennessee 38, Virginia 10 – Week 1 opener at Nissan Stadium set the tone.
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Tennessee 41, Florida 24 – The Vols finally conquered The Swamp.
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Tennessee 27, Kentucky 20 – A gritty road win in Lexington.
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Tennessee 34, Texas A&M 28 – Neyland roared during a statement win.
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Tennessee 31, Penn State 30 – Citrus Bowl classic capped off the year.
The 2024 season marked the official beginning of the Nico Iamaleava era in Knoxville. The five-star quarterback lived up to the hype, displaying a dazzling mix of arm strength, mobility, and poise under pressure.
Nico Iamaleava – Season Stats:
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Passing Yards: 3,412
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Touchdowns: 31
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Interceptions: 7
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Completion Percentage: 66.2%
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Rushing Yards: 408
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Rushing TDs: 5
Iamaleava’s chemistry with receivers like Squirrel White, Bru McCoy, and breakout freshman Mike Matthews made Tennessee’s offense one of the most explosive in the SEC.
Top Offensive Performers:
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Squirrel White: 72 receptions, 1,023 yards, 8 TDs
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Bru McCoy: 55 receptions, 788 yards, 6 TDs (after returning from injury)
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Dylan Sampson: 1,047 rushing yards, 10 TDs
Sampson’s consistency on the ground gave balance to Josh Heupel’s high-octane offense, especially in SEC road games. Freshman phenom Cameron Seldon added spark as a change-of-pace back, finishing with over 500 total yards.
The defense entered the 2024 season as a question mark. It finished as one of Tennessee’s strongest assets. Defensive coordinator Tim Banks molded a fast, physical unit anchored by a lethal pass rush and an opportunistic secondary.
James Pearce Jr. – Defensive MVP:
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Sacks: 13.5 (SEC leader)
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TFLs: 18
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Forced Fumbles: 3
Pearce was nearly unblockable in conference play, terrorizing quarterbacks and often shifting the momentum with game-changing plays. He earned First-Team All-SEC honors and declared early for the NFL Draft, projected as a top-10 pick.
Other Defensive Standouts:
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Elijah Herring (LB): 96 tackles, 2 INTs
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Kamal Hadden (CB): 4 INTs, 10 PBUs
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Omari Thomas (DL): 5 sacks, 9 QB hurries
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Jaylen McCollough (S): Senior leader who anchored the back end
Tennessee’s defense ranked 3rd in the SEC in sacks and 4th in scoring defense. Their red zone toughness was on full display in games like the Kentucky win and the bowl matchup against Penn State.
Top Games and Defining Moments
1. Beating Florida in The Swamp (Week 3)
Tennessee ended a decades-long drought with a 41-24 victory in Gainesville. Iamaleava threw for 312 yards and 3 touchdowns while the defense picked off Florida twice. The win silenced critics and gave the Vols an early confidence boost.
2. Neyland Night Magic vs. Texas A&M (Week 7)
A nationally televised showdown turned into a coming-out party for Nico, who led two fourth-quarter drives. James Pearce Jr. sealed it with a strip sack. Final: Tennessee 34, Texas A&M 28.
3. The Heartbreaker at Alabama (Week 9)
Despite a 17-7 halftime lead, the Vols fell short in Tuscaloosa, 31-27, after a Crimson Tide rally. It stung—but showed the Vols could hang with elite teams on the road.
4. Bowl Game Glory – Citrus Bowl (vs. Penn State)
In a back-and-forth thriller, Tennessee edged Penn State 31-30, with Nico engineering a game-winning drive capped by a Sampson TD and a defensive stop to seal the win. The victory gave Tennessee its second straight 10-win season and a final Top 10 ranking.
Tennessee’s special teams unit, led by coordinator Mike Ekeler, was one of the most reliable in the SEC.
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Charles Campbell (K): 19/21 FGs, long of 52 yards
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Jackson Ross (P): 45.3-yard average
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Dee Williams (KR/PR): Averaged 27.1 yards per return, 1 punt return TD
Williams’ ability to flip field position was a hidden weapon that often sparked offensive bursts.
The Vols weren’t immune to challenges. Bru McCoy returned from his 2023 injury, but missed two midseason games with a minor hamstring strain. Left tackle Gerald Mincey missed four games, and young linemen had to step up.
Defensive back Wesley Walker suffered a season-ending injury in Week 5, forcing underclassmen to mature quickly. Their resilience only added to the team’s identity.
Josh Heupel’s 2024 class was ranked Top 10, and several true freshmen contributed immediately:
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Mike Matthews (WR): 36 receptions, 514 yards, 4 TDs
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Edwin Spillman (LB): 42 tackles, 1 sack
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Boo Carter (DB): 3 INTs, dynamic playmaker in the secondary
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David Sanders Jr. (OT): Saw rotation snaps by year’s end and projects as a 2025 starter
Their emergence adds depth and excitement for next season.
Head coach Josh Heupel now boasts back-to-back 10-win seasons and has fully cemented Tennessee as a perennial SEC contender. His ability to recruit, develop quarterbacks, and adapt his schemes was on full display in 2024.
His record at Tennessee now stands at 38-14, with three straight bowl wins and a Top 10 finish in two of the last three years.
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Final AP Poll Ranking: #9
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Scoring Offense (National): 6th (38.9 PPG)
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Scoring Defense: 21st (20.4 PPG)
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Total Offense: 8th (473.7 YPG)
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Sacks: 42 (3rd in SEC)
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Turnover Margin: +9 (Top 15 nationally)
Tennessee continued to blend explosiveness with discipline, maintaining one of the nation’s best offensive identities while shoring up key weaknesses on defense.
The 2025 NFL Draft is expected to be loaded with Vols talent:
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James Pearce Jr. (EDGE): Projected Top 10 pick
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Bru McCoy (WR): Likely Day 2 selection
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Omari Thomas (DL): Rounds 2-3
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Jaylen McCollough (S): Round 4-6
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Cooper Mays (C): Top-5 center prospect
Tennessee is becoming a pipeline again—another sign of elite program development.
With Nico returning for his junior year, a stacked receiver room, and young defensive talent ready to explode, the 2025 Volunteers are already being mentioned as a dark horse playoff contender.
Key returning players include:
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Nico Iamaleava (QB)
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Squirrel White (WR)
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Dylan Sampson (RB)
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Arion Carter (LB)
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Boo Carter (DB)
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Addison Nichols (OL)
Add to that a Top 5 recruiting class headlined by 5-star DL Elijah Griffin and 5-star WR Jaime Ffrench, and the Vols are poised for a monster season.
The 2024 Tennessee Volunteers season had everything: a star quarterback’s arrival, gutsy road wins, revenge in rivalries, breakout stars on both sides of the ball, and a bowl game finish that left fans dreaming even bigger.
With the program recruiting at an elite level and a coaching staff firing on all cylinders, Tennessee has turned the corner from hopeful contender to sustained powerhouse. The Volunteers aren’t just back—they’re building something that looks built to last.
