PFF Grades Tennessee As Top-Ten Preseason Squad

Pro Football Focus released their preseason rankings, and the Tennessee Volunteers came in quite high.

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. 

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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