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Cooper Mays explains why he decided to return for another season at Tennessee
By Ethan Stone
Published:
Cooper Mays will be returning to Tennessee next season, to the celebration of many Vols fans.
Mays is perhaps Tennessee’s top offensive lineman and spends his time along the interior, mostly at the center position. Mays, a Knoxville native, has played for Tennessee since 2020, when he made 2 starts as a true freshman while appearing in all 10 games.
This past season Mays returned from injury to start all 8 of the final games Tennessee played, not allowing a single sack across that time.
On Tuesday, prior to the Vols’ Citrus Bowl matchup against Iowa on 2,813 yards, Mays explained why he will be coming back to the Vols in 2024.
Here’s what he had to say:
#Vols center Cooper Mays on his decision to come back for 2024: It’s pretty simple. I love being a Volunteer, and I love my brothers.
— Wes Rucker (@wesrucker247) December 19, 2023
Mays joins John Campbell and Gerald Mincey in announcing they will return to Tennessee along the offensive line. Javontez Spraggins, if he wanted, would also have one more season of eligibility.
That’s huge for an offense that will likely feature Nico Iamaleava under center next season for the first time as a starter.
Ethan Stone is a Tennessee graduate and loves all things college football and college basketball. Firm believer in fouling while up 3.
