The under-the-radar concern for the Tennessee Vols that will likely come into play at some point during the 2025 season

The Under-the-Radar Concern for the Tennessee Volunteers That Will Likely Come into Play at Some Point During the 2025 Season

As the Tennessee Volunteers gear up for another promising season, expectations are high, both within the program and among fans. The Volunteers have become one of the most respected programs in college football, with head coach Josh Heupel leading the charge after an explosive 2022 campaign and a solid 2023 season. Tennessee’s offense, particularly under Heupel’s high-tempo system, has been one of the most formidable in the nation. However, as with any championship-caliber team, there are concerns that often remain under the radar—concerns that can end up playing a critical role as the season progresses. In 2025, one of those concerns for the Volunteers is likely to be depth and consistency in the secondary.

While Tennessee’s offense has garnered the majority of the attention and praise, and rightfully so with its dynamic playmakers and high-scoring capabilities, the defense—particularly the secondary—has quietly been a growing point of concern. While they’ve shown promise and have the potential to be effective, there are aspects of their game that will need to improve if they are to compete at the highest level in 2025, especially with some of the offensive juggernauts that populate the Southeastern Conference (SEC).

In this article, we will dive deeper into the secondary and explore how this under-the-radar concern could come into play for the Vols in 2025. While it’s not a major headline issue right now, the development of Tennessee’s defensive backs could very well be the factor that determines whether they’re competing for a College Football Playoff (CFP) berth or struggling to maintain their standing in the SEC.

The State of Tennessee’s Secondary Heading Into 2025

First, it’s important to assess the current state of Tennessee’s secondary. As of 2025, the Volunteers will likely return a few experienced players in the secondary, but the unit will still be relatively young compared to some of the more seasoned defensive backfields in the SEC. This youth, combined with the aggressive nature of Tennessee’s defensive scheme, will require a balance between blitzing and ensuring the secondary is not caught off guard.

Coaching Staff and Scheme: Tennessee’s defensive scheme is aggressive and fast-paced, designed to generate pressure on opposing quarterbacks through blitzes and aggressive line play. However, for the secondary to truly thrive, they need to capitalize on those opportunities by locking down opposing wide receivers, preventing big plays, and forcing turnovers. In recent years, Tennessee has been successful in creating pressure up front, but that hasn’t always translated into stellar secondary play. The Vols have made strides in terms of defensive recruiting under Heupel, but there are still questions about how quickly these young defensive backs can step up to SEC-level competition.

The Impact of Graduations and Departures: Tennessee lost a number of key players from their secondary after the 2023 season. Defensive backs such as Tennessee’s All-SEC cornerback from the 2023 season were instrumental in their defensive success. Without these veterans, Tennessee will rely on new faces to take up significant roles in the defensive backfield. While the team has some talented incoming recruits and a few players with experience, those players will need to develop quickly in order to prevent vulnerabilities from emerging in 2025.

The Risk of Inexperience in a High-Stakes SEC

The SEC is notorious for its powerhouse offenses, and the 2025 season is no different. Tennessee’s secondary will have to face off against some of the nation’s most talented quarterbacks and wide receiver duos, including teams like Georgia, Alabama, and LSU. While the Volunteers may be able to hold their own against some of the lesser teams in the SEC, they will be tested against the elite offenses that are synonymous with the conference.

One of the challenges of playing in the SEC is dealing with the sheer volume of elite wide receivers and quarterbacks that teams are regularly facing. The top SEC teams consistently feature NFL-caliber talent in the passing game, and for the Vols to remain competitive in such a competitive conference, their secondary will have to step up. If Tennessee’s young defensive backs are overwhelmed by the speed and athleticism of these SEC teams, it could lead to high-scoring games where Tennessee’s offense would be forced to outshoot their opponents.

Depth in the Secondary: The Key to Staying Competitive

One of the biggest challenges Tennessee will face in 2025 is the lack of proven depth in the secondary. While the starting cornerbacks and safeties are likely to be serviceable, the depth behind them remains unproven at best. Injuries or fatigue could easily expose the weaknesses of the secondary, especially against fast-paced offenses that require the defense to remain at full capacity for the duration of the game. For Tennessee to sustain their success and make a real push for a playoff spot, their defensive depth—especially in the secondary—will need to be strong enough to handle such demands.

In an era of high-powered offenses, a defense needs quality depth to rotate players in and out, minimizing the fatigue that can set in over the course of a grueling SEC schedule. Tennessee’s defensive coaches will likely work to develop younger players as much as possible, but without adequate depth in the secondary, one injury could severely impact the team’s defensive capabilities.

Challenges of Relying on Youth

While recruiting has been strong for Tennessee, particularly under Heupel’s watch, it’s always a gamble to rely too heavily on young players in the secondary, especially in a conference as demanding as the SEC. Freshmen and sophomores may have the talent to compete at a high level, but they also face steep learning curves. The mental aspect of coverage, reading opposing quarterbacks, and adjusting to the speed of the SEC are all hurdles that young players must overcome to succeed.

Mistakes in the secondary—whether from miscommunication, blown coverages, or a lack of ball awareness—can lead to big plays and ultimately losses. Teams like Alabama and Georgia specialize in creating mismatches, exploiting defensive backs who are not experienced enough to keep up with their wideouts. If Tennessee’s young secondary is caught out of position or struggles to make critical stops, the Vols could quickly find themselves out of the playoff conversation.

What Needs to Change: Improvement and Adjustments in 2025

For Tennessee to rise above this concern, there are several key areas that need to improve and areas where adjustments can be made. The first is in terms of coaching and player development. If the defensive staff, led by defensive coordinator Tim Banks, can develop their young secondary players into reliable contributors early in the season, the team will be able to build more confidence in its pass coverage. Tennessee will also need to improve communication and coverage techniques, which are often the difference between allowing a 50-yard touchdown pass and forcing a turnover.

Another area that will help mitigate the concern in the secondary is continued development along the defensive front. If Tennessee’s pass rush becomes more consistent, it will help alleviate the pressure on the secondary by forcing opposing quarterbacks to make quicker decisions. A strong pass rush can force mistakes and lead to turnovers, easing some of the burden on the back end of the defense. However, without consistent pressure from the front seven, the secondary could be left exposed.