There’s a whole Tennessee football season ahead for stars like Nico Iamaleava and James Pearce to play in the spotlight.

But a different kind of player gets attention in preseason practice, which kicks off July 31.

Some Vols are returning from serious injuries. Some young players are pushing for playing time earlier than expected. And others are locked into position battles.

Here are 10 players to watch in preseason practice for very specific reasons.

Running back Peyton Lewis

Peyton Lewis could be a typical freshman who waits his turn behind others, or he could jump directly into the gameday rotation. Preseason practice will determine that.

Lewis underwent shoulder surgery after enrolling at UT in January. So he was very limited as a non-contact participant in spring practice.

Lewis is now at full strength and integrated into the offense, according to coach Josh Heupel. He could compete immediately as Dylan Sampson’s backup.

Redshirt freshman Cam Seldon is set to be RB2, but he’s recovering from spring shoulder surgery that could limit him until early in the season. Walk-on DeSean Bishop, a former Karns standout who missed last season because of an injury, and Khalifa Keith are the best options if Lewis isn’t ready.

Wide receiver Bru McCoy

Bru McCoy returns from an ankle injury that ended his 2023 season and required multiple surgeries. By all accounts, his rehab has gone well.

But simply running at full speed and returning to his past level of play are two different standards.

McCoy will test that ankle and seek to regain his psychological edge so he’s ready for the season. If he’s back to his old self, McCoy will be a prime target for Iamaleava.

Tight end Holden Staes

On paper, Holden Staes looked like the likely frontrunner at tight end. The Notre Dame transfer started eight games and caught four TD passes for the Fighting Irish last season.

But in spring practice, Staes went through growing pains. It was hard to distinguish between him, Alabama transfer Miles Kitselman and redshirt freshman Ethan Davis in the rotation.

Granted, adjusting to the system takes time. Just ask tight end McCallan Castles, who didn’t catch on until the fall after transferring to UT in 2023.

The Vols need Staes to turn the corner in the preseason so he can be a weapon in the offense.

Wide receiver Mike Matthews

Five-star Mike Matthews could be a future star in waiting or the reason that UT finally broadens its wide receiver rotation.

Heupel says this is the deepest wide receiver group he’s had at UT. But that doesn’t necessarily mean he’s going to play more than three or four receivers in his up-tempo offense.

Squirrel White returns as the leading receiver in the slot. McCoy is a starter if he’s healthy. Tulane transfer Chris Brazzell is a key addition. And Dont’e Thornton, a 2023 Oregon transfer, could be a factor.

Matthews and others will make a case to expand the receiver rotation.

Left guard Andrej Karic

Andrej Karic can win his starting job back, or UT may have better options at left guard.

Last season, left guard was an open competition. Karic, a Texas transfer, was inconsistent. But he started the first four games before suffering a season-ending foot injury.

If Karic improves on his 2023 performance, he can regain the starting left guard role. If not, redshirt freshman Shamurad Umarov, sixth-year utility lineman Dayne Davis or sixth-year reserve Jackson Lampley could take the spot.

But Karic will get the opportunity in preseason practice to reclaim the position.

Defensive tackle Jaxson Moi

The interior of the defensive line is already crowded with veterans like Omari Thomas, Elijah Simmons, Omarr Norman-Lott and Bryson Eason. Plus, sophomore Daevin Hobbs is in line for more playing time.

But Jaxson Moi didn’t transfer from Stanford, where he started seven games last season, to stand on the sideline at UT.

The 6-2, 307-pounder impressed coaches in the spring. But making the gameday rotation will be a tough task.

Notably, Moi has two seasons of eligibility remaining, so he could slide into a starting role in 2025. But he’d like to crack the rotation this season if there’s any room.

Defensive end Tyree Weathersby

Similarly, Tyree Weathersby may be too good to stay on the sideline.

But Dominic Bailey and Tyre West are also at strongside defensive end, and both played very well in the Citrus Bowl.

Weathersby missed his freshman season due to injury. He’s now 6-5, 272 pounds and primed for a debut. Preseason practice will determine the scope of his initial role.

Edge rusher Jordan Ross

It will be difficult for Jordan Ross to crack the rotation considering All-SEC performer James Pearce, junior Joshua Josephs and sophomore Caleb Herring already are at edge rusher.

So observing Ross in preseason practice might offer a glimpse of the future more than the present.

Ross was a five-star recruit and arguably the No. 1 edge rusher in the 2024 class. He enrolled in June, so this will be his on-field debut for the Vols.

Linebacker Arion Carter

Arion Carter missed the final five games last season after undergoing shoulder surgery. And then he was very limited in spring practice, mostly watching others gets reps in his spot.

Carter’s absence mattered more because new linebackers coach William Inge joined the staff from Washington in the spring. He got a good look at Jeremiah Telander and Kalib Perry, who will compete with Carter in preseason practice. And freshman Edwin Spillman also impressed.

Keenan Pili is locked in as the starting middle linebacker. The Vols are more potent if Carter can settle into weakside linebacker, where his athleticism could be an asset.

Defensive back Boo Carter

Coaches praise freshman Boo Carter as if he could play in the primary rotation on Saturdays.

But defensive coordinator Tim Banks’ track record indicates that he’ll stick with veterans rather than toss a freshman into the fire.

Carter likely fits at the Star position, what UT calls its nickelback. But Jourdan Thomas is the probable starter there, and he’s an experienced player with 219 snaps in the secondary last season.

Carter could make it an open competition in preseason practice. But convincing Banks and secondary coach Willie Martinez that he won’t make freshman mistakes is a big challenge.

Adam Sparks is the Tennessee football beat reporter. Email adam.sparks@knoxnews.com. X, formerly known as Twitter@AdamSparks. Support strong local journalism by subscribing at knoxnews.com/subscribe.

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This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Tennessee football practice: Watch UT Vols' Bru McCoy, Boo Carter