Josh Heupel
Rocky Top Playoff?
By: Jeff Doke
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
The Tennessee Volunteers enter the 2025 college football season with high expectations following a strong 2024 campaign that saw them reach the inaugural 12-team College Football Playoff.
Under the guidance of Head Coach Josh Heupel, now in his fifth year, the Vols aim to build on their recent success and contend for an SEC Championship and another playoff berth.
However, significant changes on offense and a challenging schedule present both opportunities and hurdles for a program striving to return to elite status.
The biggest storyline for Tennessee in 2025 is the transition at quarterback following the surprising transfer of former starter Nico Iamaleava to UCLA.
Stepping into the spotlight is Joey Aguilar, a senior transfer from Appalachian State, who brings notable experience with 6,760 passing yards and 56 touchdowns over the past two seasons.
Aguilar’s dual-threat ability aligns with Heupel’s high-octane “Veer and Shoot” offense, but his adjustment to the SEC’s competitive landscape will be critical.
His interception issues at Appalachian State are a concern, and how quickly he masters Tennessee’s system will determine the offense’s ceiling.
The offense faces additional challenges with the departure of star running back Dylan Sampson to the NFL’s Cleveland Browns and a largely rebuilt offensive line.
Tennessee’s running game, a key component of their 8-0 record when rushing for 185 yards or more in 2024, must find new contributors.
The wide receiver room is young and thin, with sophomore Mike Matthews (seven receptions, two TDs in 2024) expected to emerge as a primary target. Transfer Chris Brazzell II, a deep threat with 29 catches for 333 yards last season, adds potential firepower. Developing chemistry among these pieces will be crucial for offensive coordinator Joey Halzle.
Tennessee’s defense, which was one of the best in the nation in 2024, remains the team’s backbone.
Coordinated by Tim Banks, the unit is poised to dominate again, led by senior edge rusher Joshua Josephs, who anchors a defensive front that recorded 100 tackles for loss in 2024.
Interior linemen Bryson Eason and Jaxson Moi provide depth, while Junior Linebacker Arion Carter is expected to lead the second level.
The secondary features talented cornerbacks Rickey Gibson III and Jermod McCoy, though McCoy’s recovery from an ACL injury is a key variable. Sophomore Boo Carter, a dynamic playmaker at the STAR position, could shine across all three phases, including special teams. This defense is capable of keeping Tennessee competitive in every game.
Special teams should be a strength, with kicker Max Gilbert and punter Jackson Ross returning as multi-year starters. Boo Carter’s explosiveness as a returner adds another dimension.
The 2025 schedule is manageable but includes critical tests.
The season opens against Syracuse in the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game in Atlanta on August 30, followed by non-conference games against ETSU, UAB, and New Mexico State—games Tennessee is favored to win.
The SEC slate begins with a marquee home matchup against Georgia on September 13, a chance to snap an eight-game losing streak to the Bulldogs.
Tough road games at Alabama (October 18) and Florida (November 22) will challenge the Vols’ mettle, while home games against Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Vanderbilt offer better opportunities for a W.
Vegas projects Tennessee’s win total at 8.5, meaning the uncertainty on offense is more than compensated by the strength on defense.
A favorable schedule means that a record of 9-3 or 10-2 is achievable, but reaching the College Football Playoff again may hinge on upsetting Georgia at Neyland, or Alabama/Florida on the road. With a young roster—49% freshmen or redshirt freshmen—Tennessee is building for the future while remaining competitive in 2025.
If Aguilar adapts quickly and the offense finds rhythm, the Vols could exceed expectations and solidify their place among the SEC’s elite.
The Song For Tennessee?
By: Charlie Moon
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
One graveyard for another.
What, no “Rocky Top” quip to intro the Vols?
From the 1950s – 1990s, Neyland Stadium housed University of Tennessee’s School of Anthropology, the FBI’s leading forensic researcher of bones. They were removed in the 1990s, but the research facility remains.
And…it sat on top of over 1,000 dead bodies! “Who knew?”
In 2002-2004, the Vols won 9 games or more. Then came graveyard #2. From 2004-2020, the Vols haven’t had three consecutive 9-win seasons…until now.
Vols’ HC Josh Heupel (2022-present), has won at least 9 or more, in all 3 seasons.
Even with QBs like Peyton Manning and Tee Martin, Tennessee has prided itself on clock-controlling, run-oriented offenses. That identity has remained, although the game has changed over the last 30 years.
“Rocky Top” was written in 1967 by Gatlinburg’s Felice and Boudleaux Bryant. They told the story of Tennesseans wanting their old lives back, where moonshine stills and rum-runners ruled the day.
“….Good ole Rocky Top” was gonna have to change its tune.
Heupel gassed up the Vols offense. In 2021 and 2022, the Vols’ scoring offense finished #7 and #1 respectively, while finishing top 3 in offensive plays/game all 3 years.
I could say something like… “This year’s team has many new faces…” but that’s just the way it is in the transfer portal era.
QB Nico Lamaleava, excels with his arm and his legs. In his only 2023 start, he threw for 3 TDs and ran for 2 in the Vols’ 35-0 Citrus Bowl rout over historically defensively stout Iowa. Not saying he’s Jalin Daniels status, but picture the style.
The WR core boasts a formidable 3-man core. Last year’s top WR Squirrel White brings back his 2023 803 yards and 67 catches. Add 2023 USC transfer Bru McCoy, injured after only 5 games last year and new Tulane transfer Chris Brazzell. Sophomore Ethan Davis and Notre Dame transfer Holden Staes add depth.
Leading 2023 RB Jalen Wright is in the NFL but returning #2 man Dylan Simpson returns his team-leading 7 TDs.
The offensive line could be one of the SEC’s top 2 or 3. Replacing outgoing Kentucky transfer Gerald Mincey is incoming LSU transfer Lance Heard, who many NFL scouts label “special upside.” The interior could be one of the nation’s best in Cooper Mays and Javontez Spraggins.
For all the offensive talk, it’s the defense that could lead these Vols to a playoff spot. It’s difficult to grade them based off scoring and yardage, because of how fast the offense runs.
Having said that, they finished 2023 #8 in sacks and #4 in TFL. DE James Pearce, Jr returns after a top 15 NFL Draft grade. The tackles are led by Omari Thomas, Bryson Eason and Omarr Norman-Lott.
2022 BYU transfer LB Keenan Pili sat out most of 2023, after a whopping 190 tackles in 2022.
2023 leading tackler Elijah Herring transferred to Memphis. Arion Carter and Kalib Perry will replace 2nd leading tackler and current NFLer Aaron Beasley.
The secondary returns none, but transfer portal to the rescue. Oregon State’s Jermod McCoy and MTSU’s Jakobe Thomas are respective 2023 all-conference players.
The Bottom Line…I really think Tennessee will be one of those fringe teams that will be lobbying their expanded playoff qualifications.
As far as SEC schedules go, they catch several breaks. Two games will probably be losses, @ UGA and Oklahoma.
Believe it or not, Sept. 7 in Charlotte, against NC State is their biggest game. If they win, there’s a path. If not, that path is pummeled. Most believe there will be 3 SEC teams, but I believe there will be a push for four.
“Good ole Rocky Top,” or not….we’ll soon find out whether Vol Nation is singing it full of that happy rum, or buried under Neyland after way too much sipping.
Rocky Bottom
By: Kipp Branch
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
To say the Tennessee Volunteer football program has struggled recently is being kind. The program is downright awful at the moment.
Tennessee has not won the SEC East since 2007, and have not won an SEC Title since 1998. Since 2007, Florida and Georgia have won the SEC East five times each, Missouri twice, and South Carolina once.
Since 2007, Tennessee has gone through five head football coaches. Jeremy Pruitt was hired in 2018 and fired in 2020 and that experiment was a disaster.
Pruitt was fired for cause due to committing serious NCAA recruiting violations. The NCAA is in a current investigation of the Tennessee. Major NCAA sanctions are looming over the horizon. Nine other coaches and staff were fired as well after the internal investigation.
On the local front former Brunswick High School head football coach Larry Harold was one of the nine terminated after the Tennessee internal investigation.
Rumors of cash being handed out to players and recruits in fast food bags are some of the things you hear being tossed around in connection to the investigation.
Former head coach and AD Philip Fulmer was forced to resign as Athletic Director over the internal investigation and was not allowed to take part in the hiring of Pruitt’s replacement.
I know Tennessee legend Johnny Majors had to be smiling down from heaven on that one after then offensive coordinator Fulmer conspired to have Majors fired as head coach of the Vols back in 1992. Karma has no menu. You get served what you deserve eventually.
Josh Heupel was hired away from Central Florida to clean up the mess of a rotten internal football culture at Tennessee. Heupel will need time to rebuild this program.
The transfer portal has gutted the depth of the program. Hendon Hooker transferred in from Virginia Tech and he and Harrison Bailey look to compete for the starting QB job. Joe Milton also transferred from Michigan and could also compete for the QB job.
Cade Mays leads an offensive line that was brutal in pass protection in 2020. Heupel runs a pass happy offense so pass protection is the key.
On defense the talent at LB transferred. The defensive talent level is lacking. Heupel must develop a defense at Tennessee, which could be a major challenge as his defensive units at UCF ranked among the worst in the nation. Poor defensive play will get you fired in the SEC.
The rebuild at Tennessee won’t be easy at all with Alabama and Georgia recruiting at elite levels and taking top Tennessee high school talent annually. Tennessee must recruit Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Virginia well to return to glory.
It may take a decade after looming NCAA sanctions wear off for Vol fans to get back if ever to the standard they were used to in the 1990’s.
Schedule/My Predictions: Projected Wins: Bowling Green, Tennessee Tech, South Carolina, South Alabama, Vanderbilt.
Projected Losses: Pittsburgh, Florida, Missouri, Ole Miss, Alabama, Kentucky, Georgia
Projected record 5-7 and 2-6 in the SEC.
Tennessee football seasons hinge on outcomes of the Alabama, Florida and Georgia games.
Tennessee records against those three this century:
Alabama: 5-16 and currently on a 14-game losing streak.
Florida: 4-17 and a current 4 game losing streak
Georgia: 6-15 and a current 4 game losing streak
Combined: 15-48
Since Tennessee’s last SEC Championship game appearance in 2007 the Vols are 36-70 in SEC play.
Tennessee has gone from one of the best programs in the conference to one of the worst in 13 years.
It’s not going to get better overnight Tennessee fans. The worst still may be yet to come once the NCAA gets finished with you.
