KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Tennessee edge rusher James Pearce Jr. and center Cooper Mays were both honored as Preseason All-Americans by the Associated Press on Monday.
Pearce added to a long list of preseason accolades with a spot on the First Team, while Mays was a Second Team honoree.
The junior edge rusher has been named to multiple award watchlists ahead of a highly anticipated season. The All-SEC selection is expected to add to a dominant 2023 season and be a potential top-ten pick in next year's NFL Draft.
Mays returns for his fifth-year senior season and has also landed on plenty of preseason watchlists ahead of the season. The Knoxville Catholic graduate will be the Vols' starting center for the fourth season in a row and has already made 32 starts in his Tennessee career.
The Vols begin the 2024 season at home to host Chattanooga inside Neyland Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 31. That game is set to begin at 12:30 p.m. EDT.
