Two Vols Crack ESPN’s Top 100 CFB Players in 2024

Credit: Sports Illustrated

By Tucker Harlin

ESPN released its top 100 players entering the 2024 college football season Thursday and Tennessee has two players on the list.

Not that anybody should be surprised he’s on there, but James Pearce made it on the list with ease. But what may surprise you is that ease equals the top spot on ESPN’s top 100.

Pearce went from being mentioned in press conference chatter ahead of the 2023 season to the most feared defensive lineman in the country by the end of the season. Right now, he sits atop many draft boards as the best projected player in the 2025 NFL draft class.

Checking in at 92, redshirt freshman quarterback Nico Iamaleava is the other vol in the top 100.

Most would argue there isn’t a more important piece to the future of the Tennessee football program than Iamaleava.

He was the crown jewel of Tennessee’s 2023 recruiting class and at the time, Josh Heupel’s biggest get at quarterback in high school recruiting.

Ultimately, Iamaleava’s play is what can elevate Tennessee from a good team to a great one in 2024.