On Friday, there was big news: Tennessee will have both center Cooper Mays and defensive tackle Omari Thomas back for another season. The Volunteers, who are both undeniably superior on both sides of the ball, will undoubtedly benefit greatly in 2024.
Thomas weighed out a potential NFL decision after a big junio season which saw him put up 31 tackles and 4.5 tackles for loss. The 6-4, 320 pound defensive lineman has put together four full seasons in Knoxville, but will get to return for one more due to his COVID year of eligibility
Mays has been the anchor of the offensive line since Josh Heupel arrived at Tennessee, taking the starting center job and never looking back. He missed the first few games of the season in 2023 after undergoing a minor procedure in camp, but returned to start the last eight games for the Volunteers down the stretch.
With the return of Mays, Tennessee now brings back at least three starters back on the offensive line for the 2024 season. Javontez Spraggins, who did not participate in Senior Day festivities, could make that four. That’s a nice little boost for Nico Iamaleava, who will be walking into the starting quarterback role next season.
Things got off to a slow start for the Vols in the transfer portal, but as we’ve said, every program will have its highs and lows in the portal during each cycle. Tennessee landed the No. 1 tight end in the transfer portal on Thursday, former Notre Dame pass catcher Holden Staes. They followed that up with a commitment from former Middle Tennessee State safety Jakobe Thomas, the No. 10 ranked safety in the portal.
