KNOXVILLE, TN - October 19, 2024 - Vol fans storm the field after the game between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, TN. Photo By Andrew Ferguson/Tennessee Athletics
Tennessee
2024 Record: 10-3, 6-2 (SEC)
2025 Prediction: 8-4, 4-4 (SEC)
Overview:
After a lot of offseason drama thus far with the whole Nico Iamaleava holdout and departure, and having to bring in a new quarterback at the last second, things look uncertain. On the bright side, the defense is stacked, and Tennessee has a scrappy identity that should be able to translate a decent amount of success in 25-26.
Offense:
Joey Aguilar has had a handful of production, and so far, looks to be the starter. Desean Bishop will take over after Dylan Sampson went to the draft. Guys like Lance Heard, David Sanders, and Notre Dame transfer Sam Pendleton will snap the ball. Mike Matthews and Chriz Brazzell will most likely lead the Volunteers, with a guy that showed some flash at tailback in Desean Bishop.
Defense:
This was a much improved group last year. We were used to seeing the high flying offense, but the defense stepped up tremendously. The interior has names like Tyre West, who apparently is a freak athlete with speed, and Joshua Josephs on the outside, who is one of the top edge rushers in the nation. Arion Carter and Jeremiah Telander look to be some head hunters, while guys like Boo Carter and Rickey Gibson will hold it down in the secondary. Jermod McCoy will be sidelined possibly the majority of the season after tearing his ACL.
Special Teams:
Jackson Ross will punt, and Max Gilbert will head kicking duties. Boo Carter is going to see some numbers at punt returner, and Desean Bishop is the kickoff return man.
Final Thoughts:
I may be a little harsh on the Vols. This offseason hasn’t necessarily been a dumpster fire, but enough to raise some concerns. They haven’t beat Georgia since Obama was president, have to go to Alabama and Florida, and Oklahoma should be much improved. Maybe I’m crazy, but I just don’t see it happening this year.
