PHILADELPHIA — The Maxwell Football Club announced Wednesday that two Tennessee freshmen appeared on the watch list for the seventh annual Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year award, presented each year to the most outstanding freshman player in college football. Freshman defensive back Boo Carter and redshirt freshman quarterback Nico Iamaleava represent the Vols on the list of 37 preseason candidates.

The Shaun Alexander Freshman Player of the Year Award is an honor given each year to the most outstanding freshman player in college football. Named after Shaun Alexander since 2018, this award recognizes the exceptional performance and impact made by these players on their respective teams throughout the season. The Alexander Award is all about championing future legends and evaluates players based on Talent, Character, Ambassador and Legend.

Tennessee is one of eight schools with multiple players recognized on the watch list, joining Alabama, Clemson, Georgia, LSU, Miami (Fla.), South Carolina and Texas.

Selected as a True Freshman Preseason All-American by On3, Carter enters his first season with the Vols after a strong spring practice and impactful fall camp. The dynamic athlete from Chattanooga has earned reps while vying for a starting spot in the defensive backfield and has also shown flashes in the return game for the Big Orange this offseason.

Iamaleava takes the reins of the Tennessee offense after serving as the backup quarterback and earning a redshirt in 2023. He arrived at Tennessee as the No. 1 prep player in the country according to On3 for the Class of 2023 and capped his debut season in Knoxville by leading the Volunteers to a convincing victory over No. 17 Iowa in the 2024 Cheez-It Citrus Bowl.

The ‘HOT 37’ watch list for the Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award will be narrowed down to 14 semifinalists on Nov. 6 before five finalists are selected on Dec. 4. The winner will be announced on Thursday, Dec. 26, and the award will be presented on Friday, March 14, 2025, at the Maxwell Football Club Awards ceremony.

2024 Tennessee Football Preseason Honors

Head Coach Josh Heupel
Dodd Trophy Watch List

Chris Brazzell II, WR, R-So.
Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award Watch List

John Campbell Jr., OL, R-Sr.
Reese’s Senior Bowl Watch List
Shrine Bowl 1000 Watch List

Boo Carter, DB, Fr.
Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Watch List
On3 True Freshman Preseason All-American
 
Bryson Eason, DL, R-Sr.
Reese’s Senior Bowl Watch List
Shrine Bowl 1000 Watch List
 
Nico Iamaleava, QB, R-Fr.
Maxwell Award Watch List
Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Watch List
Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Watch List
ESPN.com College Football Top 100 Player (No. 92)
 
Lance Heard, OL, So.
Fourth-Team All-SEC (Athlon)
 
Cooper Mays, C, Sr.
Outland Trophy Watch List
Rimington Trophy Watch List
Reese’s Senior Bowl Watch List
First-Team All-American (Walter Camp)
Second-Team All-American (AP, ESPN, Phil Steele)
First-Team All-SEC (Coaches, Media)
Second-Team All-SEC (Athlon, Phil Steele)
Shrine Bowl 1000 Watch List
 
Bru McCoy, WR, R-Sr.
Wuerffel Trophy Watch List
AFCA Good Works Team Nominee
Reese’s Senior Bowl Watch List
Shrine Bowl 1000 Watch List

Jaxson Moi, DL, Jr.
Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Watch List
 
Omarr Norman-Lott, DT, Sr.
Reese’s Senior Bowl Watch List
Third-Team All-SEC (Phil Steele)
 
James Pearce Jr., DE, Jr.
Chuck Bednarik Award Watch List
Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List
Lombardi Award Watch List
Lott Trophy Watch List
Walter Camp Player of the Year Watch List
Reese’s Senior Bowl Watch List
First-Team All-American (AP, The Athletic, Athlon, ESPN, Phil Steele, Walter Camp)
First-Team All-SEC (Athlon, Coaches, Media, Phil Steele, Walter Camp)
ESPN.com College Football Top 100 Player (No. 1)
 
Keenan Pili, LB, Sr.
Reese’s Senior Bowl Watch List
Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Watch List
Shrine Bowl 1000 Watch List
Fourth-Team All-SEC (Athlon)
 
Jackson Ross, P, So.
Fourth-Team All-SEC (Phil Steele)
 
Dylan Sampson, RB, Jr.
Doak Walker Award Watch List
Third-Team All-SEC (Athlon, Coaches)
Fourth-Team All-SEC (Phil Steele)
 
Javontez Spraggins, OL, Sr.
Reese’s Senior Bowl Watch List
Third-Team All-SEC (Athlon)
Fourth-Team All-SEC (Phil Steele)
Shrine Bowl 1000 Watch List
 
Omari Thomas, DL, Sr.
Reese’s Senior Bowl Watch List
Fourth-Team All-SEC (Athlon)
Shrine Bowl 1000 Watch List
 
Squirrel White, WR, Jr.
Biletnikoff Award Watch List
Third-Team All-SEC (Athlon, Coaches, Phil Steele)