GOOD NEWS: Another important key player will be relocating to Tennessee Volunteers

There are four Tennessee players, specifically, that I think could be household names this upcoming season.

Note: I didn’t include quarterback Joe Milton on this list. He’s pretty much already a household name thanks to his rocket launcher arm and impressive play in limited action in 2022.

Check out the gallery below to see the four Vols that could break out in a big way in 2023.

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Dylan Sampson showed last season that he has an impressive burst. Now that he’s improved in pass protection, he could be the Vols’ top option for running back. The Louisiana native is absolutely electric with the ball in his hands.

Aaron Beasley is poised to be the leader of Tennessee’s defense in 2023. The fifth-year senior had a terrific finish to the 2022 season, totaling 23 tackles, seven tackles for loss, and three sacks in the Vols’ final three games of the season.

With Byron Young moving on to the NFL, Tennessee needs a premier edge rusher to step up in 2023. Young said this week at the combine that he’s expecting big things from Joshua Josephs in 2023. The rising sophomore had the fifth-highest pressure from a UT player in 2022, despite playing in a limited role.

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I couldn’t single out just one of these guys. Squirrel White is primed to take over the Jalin Hyatt role as Tennessee’s top-speed vertical threat. Dont’e Thornton, a transfer WR from Oregon, is an all-around solid player who can stretch the field and make defenders miss in space. Both should have big years in Josh Heupel’s offense.

2023 will be a pivotal season for Tennessee. The Vols will be looking to prove that they have staying power under Josh Heupel and that their 11-2 season in 2022 wasn’t a fluke.

The good news for Tennessee is that they have some elite players who are ready to step up and deliver another memorable season.