KNOXVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 09: Tennessee Volunteers fans cheer during the first half of the game against the Indiana State Sycamores at Neyland Stadium on September 9, 2017 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

The relevance of the AP Poll to the Tennessee Vols and more preseason recognition for players lead our Volunteers news for Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2019.

As a heat wave grips the nation, talk about the start of college football season is heating up. And that’s a big part of what we’re bringing you today, as stories related to the Tennessee Vols preseason continue to roll in.

Our morning update on Rocky Top leads with the preseason AP Poll, which is always relevant to UT even if they aren’t in it. We’re going to look at who is in it and what it means for Jeremy Pruitt’s program entering his second season.

On top of that, though, there are multiple stories surrounding more preseason recognition to bring you. This includes one returning starter making a list and a bunch of newcomers making a list. So today’s coverage is all about preseason recognition. Let’s start with the preseason rankings.

Vols face three AP top 10 teams – AP Poll

The Tennessee Vols football team was not in the preseason AP Poll top 25 for 2019, which was released Monday, and they didn’t receive a vote either, something that is different from the preseason Coaches’ Poll released earlier this month. However, they face three teams in the top eight this year, the Alabama Crimson Tide, Georgia Bulldogs and Florida Gators, and Alabama and Georgia are No. 2 and No. 3 respectively. Meanwhile, the Missouri Tigers, Mississippi State Bulldogs and South Carolina Gamecocks are all UT opponents who received votes this year, with Mizzou leading the way.

The Associated Press began its college football poll on Oct. 19, 1936, and it is now the longest-running poll of those that award national titles at the end of the season. The preseason poll was started in 1950. A panel of 62 sports writers and broadcasters from around the country votes on the poll weekly.

Jarrett Guarantano named to Golden Arm Watch List – Golden Arm Foundation

Tennessee Vols redshirt junior quarterback Jarrett Guarantano was named to the 2019 Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award Watch List Monday. Guarantano is among 49 FBS quarterbacks, including four SEC quarterbacks, who are on the list.

The Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award along with presenting sponsor A. O. Smith Corporation have announced the 2019 Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award watch list. The award is presented annually to the top senior or fourth-year junior quarterback set to graduate with their class by the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Educational Foundation.

UT freshmen named preseason All-Americans – Barton Simmons, 247Sports.com

Three Tennessee football freshmen made the 247Sports preseason All-American team. Offensive lineman Wanya Morris, linebacker Henry To’oto’o and defensive back Warren Burrell were all on there. Darnell Wright was shockingly left off.