Tennessee football: Josh Heupel, Cade Mays among top 100 CFB storylines

Nobody knows what to make of Tennessee football just yet as it enters a new era in 2021. The Vols are still under an NCAA investigation from what happened with their previous staff, and it has resulted in them entering the year with a new head coach and new athletic director.

Those questions somewhat render the program irrelevant as it tries to get back on its feet. However, that didn’t stop the Vols from being a topic of conversation on a couple of fronts in the top 100 storylines for the 2021 season by Chip Patterson of CBS Sports.

Heupel’s hire was one of the storylines, as each new head coach was one in general. There were 17 new head coaches overall for the season, and former Tennessee football head coach Butch Jones taking over the Arkansas State Red Wolves was another one.

Beyond the coaching, though, offensive lineman Cade Mays was named one of the players to watch. After 19 Heisman Trophy candidates were brought up, another 27 players to watch came up. Former Vol Henry To’o To’o, now with the Alabama Crimson Tide, was among them, as was Mays. Here’s what was written about the UT offensive lineman.

"Mays has been a stud for three years, and he’s probably going to be awesome again in 2021 before taking his talents to the NFL.…He played right guard and right tackle last year for the Vols, but wherever he plays, he’s the best lineman available for new coach Josh Heupel in the new up-tempo offense."

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Obviously, the storylines surrounding the Vols’ quarterback battles isn’t unique, as they aren’t a high-profile enough program right now for that. Regardless of who wins the job, no championships are expected to come with it.

Meanwhile, their biggest non-conference matchup is against the Pittsburgh Panthers. That’s not going to make the top 100 storylines heading into the year, particularly with expectations for both teams somewhere in the middle of the pack.

The NCAA investigation could have been a storyline, but that seems like it’s something tied more into the 2020 season than 2021. After all, regardless of what happens to the Vols, that should be wrapped up by the time the season begins.

Simply put, there aren’t as many major stories surrounding Tennessee football as there have been in the past. Flying under the radar, though, could benefit the program. If Heupel has some early success, he could truly make a huge splash, so watch out for what he does.