Tennessee bolstered its roster with several young, talented players from the 2023 recruiting class this past offseason. And while some of Tennessee’s more experienced transfer players might get more notable playing time this season, head coach Josh Heupel and his staff understand the importance of recruiting the high school scene.
“A majority of what we’re going to do is going to be through the high schools,” Heupel said in December. “I think you’ve got to bring in kids that are going to develop. That gives you stability and growth inside of your program. Gives you leadership inside of your program. There’s a culture piece to this game that is extremely important. I think that has to live within your high school kids that you’re recruiting.”
Tennessee’s 2023 recruiting class finished at No. 11 in the country according to 247 Sports with one five-star, 17 four-star players, and 15 three-star players. Two of Tennessee’s five highest-ranked players in the recruiting class, Nico Iamaleava and Arion Carter, received a strong forecast from 247’s Chris Hummer on Monday.
Hummer listed both Iamaleava and Carter in a list of 100 college football freshmen that could impact the 2023 season. The list is not ranked 1-100 but instead is split up by conferences and teams.
“A freakish arm talent and one of the more high-profile recruits in the last few years, the 6-foot-6, 205-pound Iamaleava arrived at Tennessee with massive expectations,” Hummer wrote. “He’s largely met them, too.”
As Hummer goes on to point out, though, Tennessee does have a strong starting quarterback with Joe Milton III. So despite Iamaleava having a window open for clean-up reps and will likely be the Vols’ top backup, Iamaleava’s freshman season forecast is fairly challenging to predict. Still, though, fans and analysts alike are chomping at the bit to see what one of the top quarterbacks in the class can do in the Tennessee offense.
More from RTI: Joe Milton III Models Game After Former NFL MVP, Downplays Heisman Watch List
Arion Carter, from Smyrna, TN, arrived to Tennessee this offseason as the No. 15 linebacker in the 2023 class.
With the departures of Jeremy Banks and Solon Page III this offseason, Tennessee will have some work to do in replacing the middle section of the field. Aaron Beasley will return for one of the linebacker spots after a solid year and terrific Orange Bowl performance to close out the 2022 season. Next to Beasley could be anyone from BYU transfer Keenan Pili to freshman Arion Carter to sophomore Kalib Perry, potentially being in that order, roughly.
“They were relentless and played with energy and passion,” Heupel said about Tennessee’s group of linebackers after their first spring scrimmage this past March. “We’ve done a good job of tackling in some of the small space but also in the open field. That group’s got a lot of leadership traits. I like how the young guys have grown and fit in the culture. We’ve got to have them grow as we continue with spring ball but I’m excited about that group.”
Tennessee will open up the 2023 football season on Saturday, Sept. 2, with a game against Virginia in Nashville’s Nissan Stadium.
