Tennessee football kicked off its 2025 spring practice, showcasing new talent and preparing for an exciting upcoming season.

As the spring air warms over Knoxville, the Tennessee Volunteers football team officially began its 2025 spring practice, marking the first significant step in what promises to be an exciting new season for the program. With Head Coach Josh Heupel at the helm, the Vols are gearing up to build upon their successful 2024 campaign and continue their ascent to national prominence. Spring practices serve as a critical time for evaluating talent, experimenting with schemes, and developing chemistry as the Vols look to make another run at an SEC title and potentially a playoff berth.

In this article, we will break down the key storylines emerging from Tennessee’s first spring football practice of 2025, focusing on the new talent joining the team, important position battles, the development of returning players, and the overall goals for the program during this crucial period.

The State of Tennessee Football: A Team on the Rise

Tennessee football has experienced a resurgence under Coach Josh Heupel. His up-tempo offense, combined with a more aggressive defensive approach, has revitalized a program that has long been known for its passionate fanbase and rich history but struggled to find sustained success in recent years.

The 2024 season saw the Vols finish with a solid record, securing bowl eligibility and showing glimpses of brilliance, especially in games against top-tier SEC opponents. Tennessee’s offense, led by dynamic playmakers, was one of the most potent units in the country, thanks in large part to Heupel’s fast-paced, pass-heavy system. However, the team’s defense still needed work, especially in the secondary and front seven, to compete at the highest levels in the SEC.

With the 2025 season rapidly approaching, Tennessee is poised to take the next step in its evolution. This spring, the Vols will focus on refining their offensive execution, finding depth across all positions, and solidifying their defense. The importance of the spring practice period cannot be overstated—it’s a time for the coaches to assess returning players, integrate new talent, and experiment with different schemes.

The Quarterback Battle: A Key Position for the Vols

One of the most important and closely watched storylines during spring practice is the quarterback competition. Tennessee’s quarterback position has been a source of success and excitement in recent years, and the 2025 season will be no different, as the Vols look for a successor to star quarterback Joe Milton, who left for the NFL after the 2024 season.

With Milton now a professional, Tennessee enters spring practice with a host of talented quarterbacks, each of whom will be vying for the starting role. The two front-runners in the battle are highly touted sophomore Nico Iamaleava and senior Tayven Jackson, both of whom have different styles and strengths.

Nico Iamaleava, one of the top-ranked quarterbacks in the country coming out of high school, enters spring practice with significant expectations. His impressive arm strength, accuracy, and leadership qualities make him an enticing option to take the reins of the offense. However, as a relatively young player, he will need to adjust to the speed of college football and show that he can handle the mental aspects of the game. Iamaleava’s development is key for the Vols’ future, and if he can emerge as the starter, Tennessee’s offense could continue to be one of the most explosive in the nation.

On the other hand, Tayven Jackson, a more experienced quarterback, will also be in the mix. Jackson has been with the program for a few years and brings a steady presence to the position. While he may not have the same raw talent as Iamaleava, his understanding of the offense and ability to read defenses could give him the edge in a tight competition. Jackson will be aiming to prove that he is more than just a game manager and that he can lead Tennessee to victories against elite competition.

Spring practice will be a pivotal time for both quarterbacks to prove their worth. Coach Heupel and offensive coordinator Joey Halzle will be closely monitoring their performances to make the best decision heading into the fall.

New Talent on the Roster: Freshmen and Transfers

Every spring, new players join the program, whether through high school recruitment or the transfer portal. This year, Tennessee has added several key pieces to its roster that could make an immediate impact during the 2025 season.

One of the most exciting newcomers is freshman Jalen Wright, a highly touted running back who has the ability to become a game-changing threat in Tennessee’s high-octane offense. Wright’s combination of speed, vision, and agility makes him a perfect fit for the Vols’ running-back-by-committee approach. He’ll be looking to carve out a significant role in the backfield, and his development will be crucial to Tennessee’s offensive balance.

In addition to Wright, Tennessee also brought in a number of talented transfer portal players. These transfers are expected to contribute right away, particularly on defense, where Tennessee struggled at times in 2024. DB Jalen Thompson from LSU and OLB Jordan Moore from Miami are among the key additions to the Vols’ defense. Both bring much-needed experience and skill to the secondary and linebacking corps, areas where Tennessee needed an infusion of talent. The hope is that these players can help shore up weaknesses and take Tennessee’s defense to the next level.

Position Battles: Who Will Step Up?

In addition to the quarterback competition, Tennessee’s spring practice is filled with other crucial position battles that will determine the Vols’ depth chart for the upcoming season. These battles are critical, as injuries or underperformance in any area of the field could hinder Tennessee’s hopes of competing for an SEC title.

Running Back Depth

While Jalen Wright is one of the top newcomers in the running back room, he isn’t the only player vying for playing time. Tennessee has a deep and talented running back group, including veterans Jabari Small and Dylan Sampson. Small has been a reliable option for the Vols in previous seasons, while Sampson has flashed explosive potential. The competition for touches in the backfield will be fierce, and spring practice will give all three players a chance to prove they deserve to be the lead back.

Heupel has always leaned on a balanced offense, and with multiple capable runners in the fold, expect a committee approach to the running game. However, one player will need to emerge as the top option for Tennessee’s offense to reach its full potential.

Wide Receiver Depth Chart

The wide receiver position is another area where Tennessee will be looking for players to step up. The Vols lost some key contributors from the 2024 season, and now it’s time for the next wave of receivers to show they can fill those shoes. Brew McCoy and Ramel Keyton will be among the veterans leading the charge, but Tennessee’s young wideouts will be given every opportunity to earn playing time.

Freshman Squirrel White, a fast and explosive receiver, is one to watch as he could have a breakout year in Heupel’s system. White’s speed and agility could make him a dangerous weapon, especially in the slot. In addition, transfers like Keaton Johnson from Oklahoma State will add to the competition, giving Tennessee plenty of options to create mismatches in the passing game.

The Offensive Line: A Need for Consistency

The offensive line will be another position to watch during spring practice. While Tennessee has several talented players up front, there is still a need for consistency and cohesion. Ollie Lane and Cooper Mays are two returning veterans who will be expected to anchor the line. However, younger players like Gerald Mincey and Mason Kittrell will have a chance to earn starting spots.

Tennessee’s offensive success hinges on the offensive line’s ability to protect the quarterback and establish the run game. With a potential new signal-caller behind center and a deep backfield, the offensive line will need to gel quickly to ensure success.

Defense: Secondary and Linebacker Concerns

Defensively, Tennessee has several questions to answer, especially in the secondary and at linebacker. The secondary, in particular, was a point of vulnerability for the Vols in 2024, and Coach Heupel and defensive coordinator Tim Banks will be looking for improvements.

Transfers like Jalen Thompson and Tyler Rogers will play key roles in shoring up the secondary. Tennessee will also need players like Kamal Hadden and Wanya Morris to take the next step and become consistent playmakers in the defensive backfield.

At linebacker, Tennessee has depth, but consistency is the key. With players like Aaron Beasley and Juwan Mitchell returning, the Vols need to see significant development from younger players to build a stronger defense. The linebacker position will be pivotal for Tennessee’s success, and spring practice will be crucial for sorting out the rotations.

What’s at Stake for Tennessee in 2025?

The Vols enter spring practice with high hopes for the 2025 season. With talented newcomers, exciting position battles, and a coaching staff eager to build on the successes of the previous year, Tennessee is poised to be a contender in the SEC and beyond. However, spring practice is just the beginning. The real work will come in the fall, as Tennessee seeks to find consistency on both sides of the ball and continue to rise as a national power.

For Coach Josh Heupel, 2025 presents an opportunity to prove that his vision for Tennessee football is coming to fruition. The Vols have the talent and the pieces in place to be a championship contender—but only if they can come together, improve in key areas, and execute at a high level. The first steps in this journey begin now, in the spring, as Tennessee looks to build a team capable of taking on the best that college football has to offer.