2024 SEASON-IN-REVIEW

Record: 10-3, Loss vs. Ohio State in College Football Playoff First Round (42-17)

The season can to a disappointing end for the Volunteers. They were run off the field by Ohio State early to end a 10-win campaign that included victories over Oklahoma and Alabama. Tennessee will feature a new quarterback this season and it will be interesting to see how it al comes together.

OFFENSE: Will Post-Nico Iamaleava Life be Better?

Nico Iamaleava was a highly-touted recruit for Tennessee and it came to an ugly end this offseason. Now, he is at UCLA while the former Bruins next-man-up came to Knoxville. Joey Aguilar was dynamic at App State as a dual-threat option. He will have to use both his arm and legs to make plays in the SEC.

Aguilar will not have the luxury of Dylan Sampson, who is not with the Cleveland Browns. The backfield will be made up of Peyton Lewis and DeSean Bishop, who have experience as backups. On the outside, Tennessee is a bit thin. Chris Brazzell II was the team’s fourth-leading receiver last season but he will now rake on an extended role.

This will all take place behind a line that returns four starters. Lance Heard returns to anchor the line at left tackle. The 6-foot-8, 330-pound tackle is a bruiser who will protect the blindside of Aguilar.

Tennessee’s offense is expected to take steps back but if Aguilar is as good as advertised, that could change.

DEFENSE: Pass rush loses a piece but Vols are loaded again

James Pearce might have moved not the next level but Tennessee is ready to find replacements.

It begins with Joshua Josephs. He totaled nine tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks last season. Now, he will be a bigger factor defensively. Dominic Bailey and Tyre West are also coming off the edge this season with Bryson Eason and Jaxson Moi in the middle.

Jermod McCoy will return to the secondary after suffering a knee injury last season. He ended the season with four interceptions and 44 tackles. McCoy is an NFL prospect who is expected to be one of the top corners in the nation. He will be part of a secondary with thin depth at safety. Andrew Turrentine enters with the most experience and will lead the way.

The middle of the defense might be a small weakness for Tennessee. Arion Carter led the team with 68 tackle while Jeremiah Telander returns after 43.

2025 TENNESSEE FOOTBALL SCHEDULE

• Saturday, Aug. 30: vs. Syracuse
• Saturday, Sept. 6: vs. East Tennessee State
• Saturday, Sept. 13: vs. Georgia
• Saturday, Sept. 20: vs. UAB
• Saturday, Sept. 27: at Mississippi State
• Saturday, Oct. 11: vs. Arkansas
• Saturday, Oct. 18: at Alabama
• Saturday, Oct. 25: at Kentucky
• Saturday, Nov. 1: vs. Oklahoma
• Saturday, Nov. 15: vs. New Mexico State
• Saturday, Nov. 22: at Florida
• Saturday, Nov. 29: vs. Vanderbilt