Tennessee football opened up its 2024 season on Saturday afternoon by earning a commanding victory over Chattanooga at Neyland Stadium.
In a new weekly Sunday piece, we’ll look at the Tennessee football stock report. After a 66-point win, there’s not many groups whose stock dropped and there’s only so many conclusions you can draw from the positive things in the game. But still, there’s things we learned about Tennessee in the win.
Here’s a look at the Tennessee football stock report following its season opening win.
More From RTI: Where Nico Iamaleava Can Improve After A Strong Start Against Chattanooga To Begin His Season
Stock Up
Nico Iamaleava
Tennessee’s redshirt freshman quarterback wasn’t going to win the Heisman Trophy in a game against Chattanooga but he was pretty dang impressive.
Iamaleava completed 22-of-28 passes for 314 yards and three touchdowns in just a half of football. He led six touchdown drives and showed all the skills that make him an exciting quarterback. Iamaleava also set Tennessee’s program record for passing yards in a half.
It was difficult to imagine Iamaleava doing something to make the hype around him even bigger than it already was but that’s exactly what Iamaleva did.
Dont’e Thornton
Tennessee receiver Dont’e Thornton was beginning to hit his stride last year when he suffered a season ending ankle injury at Missouri. But with Tennessee returning its top receivers and adding Chris Brazzell from the transfer portal, it was uncertain how Thornton would fit in this offense.
The former Oregon transfer didn’t start but he had the biggest day of any Tennessee receiver, catching three passes for 105 yards and two touchdowns— the latter two stats were game highs.
Tennessee did play more receivers against Chattanooga but it still feel like some players are going to get left out when it comes to snaps and targets. Thornton made a phenomenal case for himself in the opener.
Max Gilbert
Tennessee’s kicker competition was the overlooked battle of fall camp as Max Gilbert beat out Josh Turbyville and JT Carver for the starting job.
Gilbert impressed in his debut, making all seven extra points and two field goal attempts, one from 36 yards and another from 42 yards. His leg looked massive in the win with both field goals traveling well into the Neyland Stadium stands.
It was an impressive debut for Gilbert.
Tyre West
Tennessee junior defensive end Tyre West played the best game of his career in the Vols’ Citrus Bowl win over Iowa. He followed it up with another impressive performance in Tennessee’s 2024 season opener.
West forced a fumble on a tackle for loss and recorded the Vols’ only sack in the win. The former four-star recruit looks like a potential difference maker.
West’s stock is up.
Stock Holding
Secondary
Tennessee’s secondary was its biggest question entering the season but Chattanooga did little to test it in the season opener. The Mocs only attempted 24 passes and most of them were short, quick passes.
Chattanooga had more success when they tried to pass as opposed to running but still only threw for 153 yards.
I didn’t leave week one feeling like I learned anything about Tennessee’s secondary so it stock stays the same entering the North Carolina State game.
De’Sean Bishop
Few had more buzz than running back De’Sean Bishop during fall camp and the redshirt freshman showed that the buzz was well placed.
Bishop ran for 60 yards and one touchdown on five carries while also moving the sticks with a 10-yard third down reception. The local standout was Tennessee’s third running back which is what we expected but he looks firmly entrenched as a running back that will carry the football every game.
Bishop proved that the buzz around him was real but still looks like he’s about where we expected on the depth chart. His stock holds leaving week one which is a good sign.
Stock Down
Freshman Receivers
Freshmen receivers Mike Matthews and Braylon Staley’s stock was already going down in fall camp. They seemed clearly behind the six veterans— Chris Brazzell, Squirrel White, Bru McCoy, Dont’e Thornton, Kaleb Webb and Chas Nimrod— and it looked unlikely that they would earn consistent playing time.
But for neither to play in a 69-3 win over Chattanooga is surprising. Both were dealing with minor, nagging injuries during fall camp so maybe they weren’t available. But they were dressed out in pre game warmups.
Barring a lot of injuries, it doesn’t look like Matthews or Staley will play much this season.
Sophomore Defenders
Mark this one as a stock that is barely down. I was more excited to watch Tennessee’s sophomore defenders— Arion Carter, Jermod McCoy, Rickey Gibson, Daevin Hobbs, Jordan Matthews, Jeremiah Telander and Caleb Herring— than any other group on the Vols’ roster.
Gibson didn’t play with a hamstring injury and Temple transfer Jalen McMurray got the start over Jordan Matthews.
No one in this group played poorly by any means and I am still excited to watch them moving forward. But none of them truly stood out either. So we’ll say the stock barely drops for the talented sophomore defenders.
