Brianna Paciorka/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK

Tennessee Vols newcomer expected to help UT football fix a major issue from the 2023 season

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Zach Ragan | Last updated 4/9/24

One of the Tennessee Vols' biggest issues in 2023 was scoring points in the red zone.

Tennessee was No. 63 in the nation in red zone scoring percentage (touchdowns and field goals) in 2023.

In 2022, when the Vols led the nation in scoring, Tennessee was No. 4 in the nation in red zone scoring percentage (the only Power-5 teams ahead of the Vols were Georgia and Ohio State).

Scoring points in the red zone is obviously a must if the Vols are going to seriously compete for a spot in the newly expanded 12-team College Football Playoff.

And the good news for Tennessee is that one of the Vols' offseason transfer additions should help remedy the program's red zone woes.

VolQuest's Austin Price joined 104.5 The Zone's Ramon, Kayla, and Will on Tuesday and he pointed out Tulane transfer wide receiver Chris Brazzell as a player that should be a go-to option for quarterback Nico Iamaleava in the red zone.

"Brazzell is a big frame -- I think he will be a go-to (option) for Nico inside the 20," explained Price. "He's big-bodied. He's not just tall, he's big. He's girthy for a kid that's that tall. I've seen him go out and box people out and body them and make plays by high-pointing the football. I think he has a real opportunity to be a guy that catches a lot of balls because, much like Bru (McCoy), he can kind of use his body to his advantage."

Brazzell caught five touchdowns for Tulane last season. And all five of his touchdowns came in the red zone (each of his touchdown receptions went for 9 yards or less).

The Vols will have plenty of red zone options in 2024. Bru McCoy is also a big body, as Price pointed out on 104.5 The Zone on Tuesday, who can thrive in the red zone. Tight ends Ethan Davis, Holden Staes, and Miles Kitselman can also be strong red zone options for Iamaleava.

It's Brazzell, however, that seems best suited -- thanks to his big-bodied 6-foot-5 frame and ability to high point the football -- to help the Vols change their red zone luck in 2024.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: