Tennessee Football: Are The Vols Built To BREAK THROUGH In 2025?

As the 2025 college football season approaches, the Tennessee Volunteers are positioning themselves as a team with a genuine shot at breaking through and challenging for SEC supremacy. After a tumultuous few seasons, Tennessee has slowly but steadily started to climb back into national contention, but the question remains: are the Vols truly built to break through in 2025?

With head coach Josh Heupel entering his third season at the helm, expectations for Tennessee are higher than they’ve been in years. After a remarkable 2022 season that included a trip to the Orange Bowl and a high-powered offense led by Heupel’s dynamic system, the Vols have shown flashes of greatness. However, to achieve long-term success and take the next step—competing for SEC titles and potentially reaching the College Football Playoff—they need to solidify a few key areas.

This article takes an in-depth look at what Tennessee needs to improve and the strengths they possess heading into the 2025 season. From their offensive explosiveness to defensive improvements and overall team depth, the Vols have several factors working in their favor. But will these factors be enough to break through the SEC and make a serious run at a national championship?

A New Era Under Josh Heupel: The High-Flying Offense

Josh Heupel’s arrival at Tennessee in 2021 brought a fresh offensive philosophy that quickly paid dividends. Known for his fast-paced, up-tempo offense that emphasizes explosive plays and high-scoring affairs, Heupel transformed Tennessee’s offense into one of the most dangerous in the SEC. The team’s impressive 2022 season, capped off by a thrilling win over Alabama and a trip to the Orange Bowl, was a testament to how effective his system can be when paired with the right players.

At the core of Heupel’s offense is the quarterback position, and for 2025, Tennessee is in a unique position. After a standout 2023 season, quarterback Joe Milton III returns as the presumed starter. Milton’s cannon arm has made him one of the most intriguing quarterbacks in college football. Despite some inconsistencies in previous seasons, his physical tools—paired with Heupel’s coaching—could allow him to fully tap into his potential in 2025.

Milton has shown flashes of brilliance, particularly in the deep passing game, which is a staple of Heupel’s offensive scheme. If he can improve his accuracy and decision-making, Milton has the tools to lead Tennessee’s high-powered offense back to the top of the SEC.

One of the biggest assets in Tennessee’s offensive arsenal will be their stable of skilled playmakers. Tennessee boasts one of the most talented receiving corps in the country, led by playmakers like Squirrel White, who emerged as a breakout star in 2023. White’s speed and ability to stretch the field make him a dangerous weapon in Heupel’s system, and he will be key to keeping defenses on their heels.

In addition to White, Tennessee returns a solid group of wide receivers, including Brew McCoy, who is known for his strong hands and ability to make plays in clutch situations. The Volunteers also have depth at the position, with several young, talented receivers poised to make an impact. This depth provides the Vols with the ability to keep the offense moving at full speed, even if injuries or fatigue set in.

Tennessee’s backfield will also play a critical role in the success of the offense. Jabari Small and Dylan Sampson have both been effective in the running game in recent years, and their ability to complement the passing attack will be crucial. Heupel’s offense is built around a balanced approach, and while it’s known for being pass-heavy, the Vols’ ability to establish a strong running game will give Milton and the receivers more opportunities to exploit the defense.

With Heupel’s fast-paced offensive system, Tennessee has the potential to score quickly and often. However, the key will be whether the Vols can consistently execute and limit mistakes. If Milton improves his efficiency and the offensive line can protect him long enough to deliver accurate throws, the Vols will have one of the most dangerous offenses in college football.

The Defensive Challenge: Building a Playoff-Caliber Defense

While Tennessee’s offense is capable of putting up big numbers, the big question mark heading into 2025 is the defense. For years, the Vols have struggled on the defensive side of the ball, often ranking near the bottom of the SEC in total defense. In order for Tennessee to break through and compete for an SEC title, their defense needs to improve significantly.

The good news for the Vols is that they’ve made significant strides under defensive coordinator Tim Banks. After a rough start in his first season, Banks’ defense showed marked improvement in 2023. The team’s ability to generate pressure on opposing quarterbacks, particularly with edge rushers like Tyler Baron and Byron Young, was a positive development. However, Tennessee will need to be more consistent in terms of both stopping the run and defending the pass if they want to compete with the SEC’s elite offenses.

The Vols have made some key additions to their defense through the transfer portal and recruiting, which could help turn things around. On the defensive line, the Vols will be looking for improved play from their interior linemen. In particular, younger players like Caleb Herring and Daevin Hobbs could provide a much-needed boost to the pass rush. Getting consistent pressure on the quarterback will be vital for Tennessee’s success, as it will force opposing offenses into more mistakes and limit big plays.

In the secondary, Tennessee will need to replace a few key players but has solid depth and talent to work with. The Vols’ defensive backs, including Kamal Hadden and Brandon Turnage, have shown the ability to make plays on the ball, but the secondary will need to be more consistent in coverage to stop SEC offenses from exploiting weaknesses. A key factor in Tennessee’s ability to compete in 2025 will be the development of the young cornerbacks, who will be tasked with locking down elite wide receivers in the conference.

Tennessee also needs to become more disciplined defensively. The Vols’ defense has often been plagued by missed tackles, blown coverages, and poor decision-making in key moments. To break through and reach their full potential, Tennessee needs to clean up these mistakes and play with more discipline. If they can do that while continuing to generate pressure up front, they could have a defense capable of holding their own against the high-powered offenses in the SEC.

Special Teams and Coaching: The X-Factors

While the offense and defense will be the primary drivers of Tennessee’s success in 2025, special teams and coaching will also play pivotal roles in determining whether the Vols can break through to the next level.

Special teams can often be the difference in close games, and Tennessee has made strides in this area under Heupel’s leadership. The return game, in particular, has the potential to be a game-changer with explosive players like Squirrel White. The Vols also have a strong kicker in Charles Campbell, who has proven reliable in clutch situations. However, they will need to continue to solidify their coverage units to ensure they don’t allow big plays that could shift momentum in critical moments.

On the coaching front, Josh Heupel has shown himself to be a capable and forward-thinking leader, particularly when it comes to managing the offensive side of the ball. His ability to adapt and stay ahead of the curve in terms of offensive schemes has been impressive. However, Heupel will also need to continue to grow as a head coach in terms of in-game decision-making and managing his team through adversity. In the SEC, every game is a battle, and Tennessee will need Heupel to make the right adjustments and keep his team focused throughout the season.

Tennessee will also need to continue to build depth, particularly in the trenches. The SEC is known for its physicality, and the Vols will need to have a deep roster that can handle the wear and tear of a long season. With recruiting classes continuing to improve, Heupel and his staff are on the right path to building a program that is capable of competing with the best.

Breaking Through in 2025: The Path to Success

Tennessee’s path to breaking through in 2025 will be determined by several factors. The offense will remain the driving force, with Joe Milton needing to take the next step and become more consistent. If Milton can reach his potential, Tennessee’s offense will be one of the most potent in the country, capable of putting up points on anyone.

Defensively, the Vols need to continue their upward trajectory. The defense won’t need to be elite, but it does need to be solid and create enough stops to allow the offense to thrive. Generating pressure up front and improving the secondary will be key to ensuring that Tennessee can compete against the SEC’s toughest teams.

Finally, special teams and coaching will be crucial in securing close wins in tough environments. The Vols must be disciplined and avoid mistakes in key moments, especially against top-tier opponents like Alabama, Georgia, and LSU.