Greg McElroy Names SEC Program That Has Failed To 'Capture Nation's Attention'

Tennessee has won nine or more games in back-to-back seasons for the first time since 2015-16 under head coach Josh Heupel. He also led the Volunteers to the first 11-win season since 2001, two seasons ago.

Despite ending the losing streak against Alabama, injuries prevented the Volunteers from competing for the SEC Championship. After finally beating the Crimson Tide, Tennessee fell flat against Georgia. Then, disaster struck as Hendon Hooker suffered a torn ACL during a 63-38 road loss to South Carolina.

The losses to the Bulldogs and Gamecocks would keep Tennessee from making the first College Football Playoff appearance in program history. The Volunteers relied on Joe Milton to finish the season. He led them to wins over Vanderbilt and Clemson in the Orange Bowl to cap off the year.

ESPN's Greg McElroy discussed why the nation should pay more attention to Tennessee and quarterback Nico Iamaleava on the latest edition of Always College Football.

"A team that might have crazy upside this offseason because of the likely improved play they're gonna get at the quarterback spot," McElroy said. "And while I think that Nico Iamaleava might have a growing pain or two, you could make a case right now that his mobility, his acceleration, his ability to drive the ball down the field, his ability to be more accurate on the underneath stuff. He's got a changeup, unlike Joe Milton, his predecessor."

greg mcelroy names sec program that has failed to 'capture nation's attention'

Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava holds a football at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennesse before kickoff. © Saul Young/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK

In McElroy's eyes, people need to focus more on the Volunteers in 2024. The team is returning multiple starters on both sides of the ball. Players like EDGE James Pearce, wide receiver Bru McCoy, wide receiver Squirrel White, offensive lineman Cooper Mays, and others will be back in the orange and white this season.

"I look at Tennessee, and while Tennessee fans are bullish about a potential playoff spot, I don't feel like Tennessee's really captured the nation's attention. ...There isn't really a quarterback competition," McElroy said.

"They aren't a ton of question marks that you have on defense. They have James Pearce back. If not for Mykel Williams, Pearce might be the best edge defender in the SEC, and statistically speaking, he was."

At the moment, people are focusing on Alabama, Georgia, Texas, and Ole Miss. McElroy wants everyone to start taking a closer look at Tennessee, however.

"I think you look at the SEC right now. Everyone's talking about Alabama and Georgia to an extent, even though Georgia, like I said, is flying under the radar. Tons of conversation about the Texas Longhorns and Ole Miss," McElroy said. "But there's not a whole lot of discussions about what Tennessee might ultimately be."

OTHER NEWS

17 minutes ago

New Jersey gamer flew to Florida to attack online rival with hammer, police say

17 minutes ago

Family of Afro Indigenous activist in immigration detention worries he may be deported back to danger

19 minutes ago

Lethbridge College to become a polytechnic institution

19 minutes ago

Sask. high schoolers graduate after unusual four years

21 minutes ago

Video: Abbie Chatfield reveals surprise family news after 'hard launching' new boyfriend Adam Hyde

22 minutes ago

Lakers' new coach JJ Redick is accused of calling African-American woman the N-word at Duke in early 2000s.... but ex-Blue Devils star denies claim

22 minutes ago

Seasoned Pennsylvania teacher Neil Young wants to take his ‘heart of gold’ to Congress: ‘The real deal’

22 minutes ago

Yes, They All Broke Up

22 minutes ago

More than two thirds of mothers feel their vote does not count, survey reveals

23 minutes ago

Cubs release one-time World Series champion amid career-worst season

23 minutes ago

Caucus discipline the ‘most fundamental principle’ of Labor Party

23 minutes ago

Practice Footage Of LeBron, Bronny, And Bryce Is Going Viral

23 minutes ago

Just Stop Oil Twickenham protester was ‘doing his duty as a doctor’

23 minutes ago

Wikileaks founder Julian Assange boards plane out of UK as part of plea deal with the US

23 minutes ago

Plano gymnast moved to North Texas in hopes of making Team USA

23 minutes ago

Home in south-west Sydney targeted in drive-by shooting

23 minutes ago

FlameFest set to fire up winter in Mandurah with two-day sizzling entertainment festival

23 minutes ago

GM reveals the American Holden Commodore that never was

23 minutes ago

Community donates more than $11,000 to help young Greenfields family after house fire

23 minutes ago

Rockingham: Ben Smith & Drew La Reservee mourning unexpected death of 16-month-old son Micah

23 minutes ago

Mandurah composting facility C-Wise threatens residents with legal action for ‘defamatory’ Facebook posts

23 minutes ago

Vauxhall threatens to pull plug on UK car making amid row over EV sales targets

23 minutes ago

Girls Aloud's Nadine Coyle left red-faced after very awkward stage blunder

23 minutes ago

Google announces surprise event, teases Pixel 9

26 minutes ago

Illinois Tollway unveils ‘lane blades' to help clear debris, keep drivers safe

28 minutes ago

Oleksandr Usyk vacating IBF title ahead of Joshua-Dubois bout

28 minutes ago

Source: Jim Schlossnagle leaves Texas A&M for Texas baseball job

28 minutes ago

‘Multiple people’ could be charged in Matthew Perry’s overdose death

28 minutes ago

WTA roundup: Caroline Wozniacki pulls upset in Bad Homburg

28 minutes ago

2025 BMW M5 becomes a 535kW PHEV V8 weapon

28 minutes ago

Here's how much the price of gold has dropped since May (and why you should still invest)

28 minutes ago

NRL News: Chad chats with club for Sydney swansong, Edwards primed for delayed Origin debut

28 minutes ago

Driving test fail rates rise as young people race to book test slots anywhere they can

28 minutes ago

Gadecki leads big Aussie charge at Wimbledon qualifying

28 minutes ago

Sánchez could earn up to $54.5M with Phillies from 2025-30 if he wins 2 Cy Young Awards

28 minutes ago

Elly De La Cruz hit a long homer and drives in 3 runs as Reds rout Pirates 11-5

28 minutes ago

A Shopper Who Bought This Retinol Serum 6x Calls It 'an Eraser' for Wrinkles

28 minutes ago

BTS' V ‘TYPE 1' Is Coming, Katy Perry Previews Lyrics At Paris Fashion Week & More | Billboard News

28 minutes ago

Slater and DCE on cusp of joining Maroons great duos

28 minutes ago

Camila Cabello name checks Cristiano Ronaldo and prompts an awkward exchange with the audience; 'Don't boo me'