The year Tennessee renewed its presence in the SEC

Vols center Cooper Mays recalls when he sensed Tennessee was destined for something special.

Knoxville, Tenn. — Cooper Mays could see it coming.

 

Tennessee’s first season under Josh Heupel wasn’t spectacular, going 7-6. But Mays saw an up-tempo offense with a gifted quarterback, talented receivers and quality running backs that would make the Vols attack hard to stop in Year Two.

 

The Tennessee center couldn’t wait for the 2022 season to unfold.

 

“I knew we were going to be special,’’ Mays said. “I didn’t know just how special or how it would turn it. But it was great.’’

 

Tennessee surprised the nation by leading the nation in points per game and total offense. The Vols upset LSU in Tiger Stadium, outscored Florida and held on for a scintillating victory over Alabama.

 

Tennessee capped off the surprising season with a victory over ACC power Clemson in the Orange Bowl in Miami.

 

“It was probably one of the best years of my life,’’ Mays said. “All of those experiences combined with all the great people involved, it was second to none.’’

 

The only thing that would have made it more enjoyable would have been playing alongside older brother Cade, who completed his Tennessee career the year before.

 

Quarterback Hendon Hooker, who was really good in 2021, developed into a Heisman Trophy candidate. He was a perfect fit for Huepel’s fast pace offense. He could operate the zone read, was an accurate passer, a quick decision maker, and rarely made a mental mistake.

 

What made Hooker so darn good?

 

“Consistency,’’ Mays said. “He was a grown man, a mature guy. … Hendon was going to be the same guy every single day and have great infectious energy. If Hendon Hooker asked me to run through a brick wall, before the sentence was over, I was already running, and Hendon would be right there behind you.’’

 

The 2022 team went 11-2.

 

The 2023 team went 9-4, but there is optimistic for improvement with quarterback Nico Iamaleava at the controls. The redshirt sophomore was the offensive MVP of the Citrus Bowl, accounting for four touchdowns in a 35-0 victory over a 10-win Iowa team.

 

Does Mays see special things happening for Iamaleava?

 

“Oh, for sure,’’ Mays said. “He’s a great kid. Super humble, super respectful. Just wants to play his role the best way he can, get his job done, no extra chit chat, nothing else. He just wants to do his part.

 

“I can really respect that, especially coming from a guy… I don’t know if I was in his shoes, I probably wouldn’t be the most humble and most cordial guy. For him to come in the first day, super nice, super humble, asking me, `Hey, what’s going on here. Just kind of explain it to me,’’’ Mays said of the five-star recruit. “Seeing that, especially this day and age, is super cool.’’

 

Mays thinks the personalities of Hooker and Iamaleava are similar. So are the skill sets.

 

“Nico is extremely special, on the field, off the field,’’ Mays said. “He’s super talented.’’

 

That doesn’t mean the Vols will average 46 points per game and total 525 yards per game, like they did in 2022.

 

But it does mean UT should be explosive and average a lot more than the 31.7 points it managed in 2023.

 

What are the expectations for Tennessee this season?

 

“It’s always got to be a championship,’’ Mays said. “That’s the biggest thing. Heup always talks about expecting not hoping or believing, but expecting. We expect a championship at the end of the year,’’ said Mays.

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