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Why Tennessee football’s 2023 draft class will be deeper than 2022

By Caleb Calhoun

Tennessee players take the field as the University of Tennessee Pride of the Southland marching band performs a pregame show and fans checker Neyland Stadium orange and white for the Florida game on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2016.0925 Kcsp Utfl 012 Mp
Tennessee players take the field as the University of Tennessee Pride of the Southland marching band performs a pregame show and fans checker Neyland Stadium orange and white for the Florida game on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2016.0925 Kcsp Utfl 012 Mp /
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Nov 13, 2021; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Power T on the field before a game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the Georgia Bulldogs at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bryan Lynn-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 13, 2021; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Power T on the field before a game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the Georgia Bulldogs at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bryan Lynn-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Higher expectations draws more scouts throughout the year.

Winning during the year is what will give Tennessee football a better reputation to GMs across the NFL. However, the preseason expectations is what will draw more NFL scouts. They can actually schedule out games where they will take a look at certain players now, so more will be paying attention to them this year.

That’s a big deal. Now, there are questions about the expectations themselves, but after defying all odds last year with a 7-6 record amidst all the turmoil, experts have to think that Josh Heupel can do it again. Interest in the job he’s doing helped lead to five draft picks this past year.

Given the way unique offenses are spreading in the NFL and the early success Heupel had, you have to think more scouts will want to head to Knoxville to see what everything is about. That can only further help players on Heupel’s team trying to get notice by pro teams.

Even if the Vols do disappoint, those expectations will give them some advantages. Sure, these are tempered expectations since some projections for them are still as low as six wins, but they are more about a feeling than anything. That will lead to more attention for Tennessee football.

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