“This Team Will Remain a Problem in the Southeastern Conference” — Greg McElroy Reveals Two X-Factors for 2025 Tennessee Vols Run

As the 2025 college football season inches closer, few teams in the Southeastern Conference (SEC) are facing the level of expectation, skepticism, and intrigue quite like the Tennessee Volunteers. After a rollercoaster 2024 campaign that ended with flashes of brilliance but questions of consistency, national analyst and former Alabama quarterback Greg McElroy believes the Vols are still firmly in the contender conversation.

During a recent episode of his “Always College Football” podcast, McElroy had one clear message for SEC fans: “This team will remain a problem in the Southeastern Conference.” And according to him, there are two crucial X-factors that will determine whether Tennessee can elevate from spoiler to serious SEC title contender in 2025 — quarterback development and defensive front dominance.

The Vols’ SEC Relevance Is No Fluke

Under head coach Josh Heupel, Tennessee has transformed into a team that commands attention every fall Saturday. The 2022 high-flying offense led by Hendon Hooker and Jalin Hyatt sent a shockwave through the conference, and though the 2023 and 2024 campaigns were not quite as magical, the Vols still demonstrated resilience and flashes of elite potential.

McElroy, who has often praised Heupel’s offensive system, insists the Vols aren’t going anywhere. “People keep thinking Tennessee had a one-year spark and is fading back into the middle of the SEC pack,” he said. “That’s just not reality. This is a program building sustainable depth, especially at positions that matter most.”

But for the Vols to challenge the likes of Georgia, Alabama, and a rising Texas program in the SEC, two key areas must rise to meet championship standards.

X-Factor #1: The Quarterback Room — Nico Iamaleava’s Leap Must Be Real

It’s no secret that Nico Iamaleava is Tennessee’s most high-profile player heading into the 2025 season. The former five-star quarterback and No. 1 player in the 2023 class is entering his second year as a full-time starter after flashing his talent in stretches during 2024.

McElroy called Iamaleava “the key to unlocking the offense’s full ceiling.”

“He has the tools. The arm strength, the mobility, the charisma — it’s all there,” McElroy said. “But what separates great college quarterbacks in this league is anticipation, processing speed, and confidence in tough spots. If Nico takes that next step, Tennessee becomes a legitimate threat to win the SEC East.”

Iamaleava showed poise and creativity late last season, particularly in comeback efforts and off-script plays. But his midseason inconsistency raised eyebrows. He struggled at times with pre-snap reads and deep accuracy, especially against pressure-heavy defenses like Kentucky and Missouri.

Still, McElroy remains bullish on his trajectory. “Let’s not forget — this guy was a redshirt freshman last year in a very complex system,” he noted. “A full offseason, improved line play, and deeper chemistry with his receivers can make a huge difference.”

With Bru McCoy returning from injury and sophomore speedster Mike Matthews emerging as a breakout candidate, the weapons are there. If Iamaleava puts it all together, the Vols’ offense could return to its 2022 explosiveness — with even more versatility.

X-Factor #2: Defensive Line Pressure — Vols Must Dominate the Trenches

The second X-factor McElroy emphasized is the defensive front. Tennessee’s defense, once a liability, has steadily improved under defensive coordinator Tim Banks. In 2024, they ranked among the top five in sacks and tackles for loss in the SEC. But McElroy says that’s not enough — they must become the most disruptive front in the conference.

“The way to beat Georgia, Bama, or LSU isn’t just offense anymore,” he said. “You’ve got to affect the quarterback. That means pressure up the middle, chaos off the edge, and depth rotation to stay fresh late in games.”

That responsibility falls heavily on veterans like James Pearce Jr. and Tyre West, who are both returning in 2025 with NFL ambitions. Pearce, in particular, is projected by many to be a first-round draft pick due to his elite get-off and relentless motor.

“Tennessee has legit pass-rushing talent,” McElroy added. “If they can complement that with better linebacker play and improved coverage behind them, it’s game over.”

Incoming four-star lineman Kellen Lindstrom and sophomore Daevin Hobbs also give the Vols added muscle and versatility. The unit has the pieces — it just needs to impose its will more consistently against top-tier offensive lines.

The Schedule Will Test Tennessee Early and Often

The Vols won’t have the luxury of easing into the 2025 season. Their schedule includes an early non-conference clash with NC State, plus midseason showdowns with Oklahoma and Alabama, and a brutal November stretch featuring Georgia and Florida.

McElroy believes this gauntlet could be a blessing in disguise.

“Sometimes it’s better to know who you are by Week 5 instead of feasting on cupcakes,” he said. “If Tennessee survives the early weeks with just one loss — or none — they’ll be viewed as a Playoff contender.”

The expanded 12-team College Football Playoff format also helps a team like Tennessee. Gone are the days when one September loss to Georgia derailed an entire postseason dream. Now, consistency and late-season surges matter more than ever.

Heupel’s Culture and System Provide a Strong Foundation

Beyond the players, McElroy pointed to Josh Heupel as an overlooked asset.

“People don’t talk about Heupel enough as a program builder,” McElroy said. “We know he’s an offensive mastermind, but he’s also built a culture of toughness and accountability. That’s why guys like Nico stayed patient, and veterans keep coming back.”

Tennessee’s locker room culture has evolved from a post-Butch Jones mess to one of the more cohesive units in the SEC. Players cite clarity of roles, detailed preparation, and belief in the system as reasons for buying in — even in the NIL and transfer portal era.

That cultural stability has helped Tennessee retain talent that might otherwise have jumped ship and has made the Vols a more attractive destination for portal additions like offensive tackle Ethan White and linebacker Tyler Grubbs.

Recruiting Momentum Keeps the Vols in the Conversation

Recruiting remains the lifeblood of SEC contention, and Tennessee is holding its own. The 2025 recruiting class is currently ranked No. 6 nationally, highlighted by commitments from five-star cornerback Daryus Dixson and four-star quarterback Cutter Boley.

McElroy highlighted recruiting as another signal that Tennessee’s rise isn’t a fluke.

“They’re landing elite talent. And not just flash — guys who fit Heupel’s identity,” he said. “It’s not hard to see this team being even better in 2026, but 2025? They could surprise people now.”

Greg McElroy’s endorsement of Tennessee as an ongoing “problem” in the SEC is more than just offseason noise. It reflects what coaches and analysts across the league are sensing — that the Volunteers are no longer a one-hit wonder.

With Nico Iamaleava’s growth and the continued rise of their defensive front, Tennessee has two foundational pieces that can elevate the entire program. Pair that with a stable culture, strong recruiting, and a coaching staff unafraid to adapt, and it’s easy to see why the Vols are on every contender shortlist.

But as McElroy cautioned, the SEC doesn’t hand out respect — you have to take it.

“Everything they need is there,” he said. “Now it’s about execution. If those X-factors hit, Tennessee’s not just in the hunt — they’re in the driver’s seat.”