Tennessee Lands Two On ESPN's "Way-Too-Early" All-American Teams

ESPN released its "way-too-early" All-American teams for the 2024 season. Tennessee is expected to have a big season in the first season of the 12-team College Football Playoff era, and they fielded two players on this last. 

The headliner is edge rusher James Pearce Jr., who was a first-team defensive end. Pearce had a terrific season for the Vols in a breakout campaign, and an AFC West scout recently told ESPN's Matt Miller that he believes that Pearce would be the first defensive player selected in the 2024 NFL Draft. He had an incredible effort against the Iowa Hawkeyes in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl, intercepting a pass and returning it for a touchdown and also forcing a fumble on a strip-sack. 

"Pearce tied for the SEC sacks lead (10) last season with Dallas Turner and Nathaniel Watson and returns for his junior season as one of the top NFL draft prospects in the league. The 6-5, 242-pound Pearce has terrific burst off the edge and is a nightmare for any tackle to block. He was tied for fifth nationally last season with 38 total pressures, according to Pro Football Focus." - ESPN on James Pearce Jr.

Tennessee center Cooper Mays made the second-team behind Alabama center Parker Brailsford, who transferred from Washington. Mays has been a key cog in Tennessee's offensive line for years, and when he missed time at the beginning of the season, it showed. He will lead a talented unit next season for redshirt freshman quarterback Nico Iamaleava.