PFF Grades Tennessee As Top-Ten Preseason Squad

Pro Football Focus released their preseason rankings, and the Tennessee Volunteers came in quite high.
PFF Grades Tennessee As Top-Ten Preseason Squad
PFF Grades Tennessee As Top-Ten Preseason Squad /
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College football is drawing closer and closer. The Tennessee Volunteers are coming off one of their best seasons in recent history, capping a tremendous season off with an Orange Bowl Victory over the Clemson Tigers. Head coach Josh Heupel has the team firing on all cylinders, and the national media is beginning to catch on.

It's been a long time since Tennessee opened the season as a top-ten program. That all changes this year, as it feels the Vols are in every preseason top-ten list. PFF continued the trend when they released their preseason top-25, which slotted Tennessee at No. 9. They are PFF's No. 4 SEC team behind Georgia, Alabama, and LSU. They come in ahead of several other major powers, including USC, Notre Dame, and Oregon. 

There's a lot of optimism about what the Vols could be in 2023. Quarterback Joe Milton III has had a productive offseason and looks to be a preseason contender for the Heisman Trophy. The receiver group looks strong, and the offensive line returns several starters. The biggest question mark is the defensive side of the football, but the coaching staff feels confident they signed some difference-makers in the 2023 recruiting cycle. 

Tennessee WR Squirrel White
Tennessee WR Squirrel White

There are several more interesting wrinkles in PFF's preseason rankings. It shouldn't come as a surprise that the two-time defending national champion Georgia Bulldogs come in at No. 1; however, it doesn't take long past Georgia for things to heat up. The Texas Longhorns sit at No. 5, coming off an eight-win season. Florida State has been a preseason darling, but PFF has them sitting at No. 14. You can view the full rankings below.

  1. Georgia
  2. Alabama
  3. Ohio State
  4. Michigan
  5. Texas
  6. Clemson
  7. Penn State
  8. LSU
  9. Tennessee 
  10. USC
  11. Notre Dame
  12. Oregon
  13. Oklahoma
  14. Florida State
  15. Utah
  16. TCU
  17. Kansas State
  18. Arkansas
  19. Kentucky
  20. Florida
  21. Washington
  22. South Carolina
  23. Mississippi State
  24. Minnesota
  25. Pittsburgh

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Evan Crowell
EVAN CROWELL

Evan Crowell is the lead publisher of Sports Illustrated-FanNation's Volunteer Country, serving as a beat reporter covering football, basketball, and recruiting. He previously worked as the lead publisher of Sports Illustrated-FanNation's Gamecocks Digest.