Tennessee football's receiving corps could be the difference maker this season

The hype has been building around Tennessee football's redshirt freshman quarterback Nico Iamaleava all offseason, but his receivers could help take him to the next level this season. 

In the season opener against Chattanooga, Nico proved that he is the real deal. He threaded the Mocs defense and dropped dimes in all areas of the field, something we haven't seen from a Tennessee quarterback since Hendon Hooker in 2022. 

Tennessee could have one of the best all-around receiver rooms in the country this season if everyone can stay healthy. They are returning veterans Bru McCoy and Squirrel White, who have spent multiple years in the Vols' system and are proven playmakers no matter where they line up on the field.

One of the best receivers in the transfer portal last cycle, Chris Brazzell II, has already shown he could be a top target for Nico this season. He had five targets for 59 receiving yards in his Tennessee debut, while Dont'e Thornton is also returning after a rough 2023 season but found the endzone twice on three receptions against Chatt to open the year.

Nico only played one-half of the football, so we will have to wait until Saturday to see the redshirt freshman quarterback play a full game in one of the best receiver rooms in the country. 

With new additions and returning players, the playbook should be wide open for Nico and the Vols on offense. Vols receivers were showing a little sneak peek into their versatility in the Vols offense in the season opener.

It will take Nico to continue to pick apart defenses and fit the ball into tight windows, but it looks like Tennessee's receivers will give the Vols offense a shot to stretch the field and score a lot of points, regardless of the opponent. 

Tennessee will play its first ranked opponent on Saturday when they travel to Charlotte, North Carolina, to face North Carolina State at 6:30 PM ET on ABC.