ESPN has announced its “way-too-early” All-American selections for the 2024 season. Tennessee is predicted to have
a strong season in the first year of the 12-team College Football Playoff era, and they have two guys on the roster.
The main attraction is edge rusher James Pearce Jr., a first-team defensive end. Pearce had a fantastic season for the
Vols in a breakout year, and one AFC West scout just informed ESPN’s Matt Miller that he believes Pearce will be the
first defensive player picked in the 2024 NFL Draft. He had an outstanding performance against the Iowa Hawkeyes
in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl, intercepting and returning a ball for a touchdown while also forcing a fumble on a strip-
sack.
Tennessee center Cooper Mays made the second team, after Alabama center Parker Brailsford, who transferred from
Washington. Mays has been a major member of Tennessee’s offensive line for many years, and his absence at the
start of the season was noticeable. He will lead a talented group next season for redshirt freshman quarterback Nico
Iamaleava.
