2025 Tennessee Volunteers football team

Last updated

2025 Tennessee Volunteers football
Tennessee Volunteers logo.svg
Conference Southeastern Conference
Ranking
CoachesNo. 17
APNo. 22
Record1–0 (0–0 SEC)
Head coach
Offensive coordinator Joey Halzle (3rd season)
Defensive coordinator Tim Banks (5th season)
Home stadium Neyland Stadium
Seasons
  2024
2026 
2025 Southeastern Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
Team W L  W L 
Arkansas  0 0   1 0  
Auburn  0 0   1 0  
No. 13 Florida  0 0   1 0  
No. 4 Georgia  0 0   1 0  
Kentucky  0 0   1 0  
No. 3 LSU  0 0   1 0  
Mississippi State  0 0   1 0  
Missouri  0 0   1 0  
No. 18 Oklahoma  0 0   1 0  
No. 20 Ole Miss  0 0   1 0  
No. 10 South Carolina  0 0   1 0  
No. 22 Tennessee  0 0   1 0  
No. 19 Texas A&M  0 0   1 0  
Vanderbilt  0 0   1 0  
No. 21 Alabama  0 0   0 1  
No. 7 Texas  0 0   0 1  
Championship: December 6, 2025
  • $ Conference champion
  • y Championship game participant
As of September 4, 2025
Rankings from AP Poll

The 2025 Tennessee Volunteers football team will represent the University of Tennessee in the Southeastern Conference (SEC) during the 2025 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Volunteers are led by head coach is Josh Heupel who is in his fifth year. The team will play its home games at Neyland Stadium located in Knoxville, Tennessee.

Contents

Offseason

2025 NFL draft

RoundPickPlayerPositionTeam
126 James Pearce Jr. DE Atlanta Falcons
263 Omarr Norman-Lott DT Kansas City Chiefs
4108 Dont'e Thornton WR Las Vegas Raiders
4126 Dylan Sampson RB Cleveland Browns

Source: [1]

Transfers

Outgoing

PlayerPositionDestination
Charlie BrowderTE East Tennessee State
Ayden BussellIOLUnknown
Christian CharlesS Virginia
Ryan DarmonQB Stephen F. Austin
Christian HarrisonS Cincinnati
Nico Iamaleava QB UCLA
Jayson JenkinsDL Florida State
Larry Johnson IIIOTUnknown
Khalifa Keith RB Appalachian State
Vysen LangIOL Troy
Nathan LeacockWR Purdue
Jordan MatthewsCB Vanderbilt
Gaston MooreQB South Florida
Chas NimrodWR South Florida
Kalib PerryLB Louisville
Cameron SeldonRB Virginia Tech [2]
Luke ShouseTEUnknown
John SlaughterSUnknown
Jalen SmithLB Mississippi State [3]
Dayton SneedWR North Carolina
Nate SpillmanWR Charlotte [4]
Holden Staes TE Indiana [5]
Jakobe ThomasS Miami [6]
Kaleb WebbWR Maryland [7]
Squirrel White WRFlorida State [8]

Incoming

PlayerPositionFormer Team
Joey Aguilar QB Appalachian State
Amari JeffersonWR Alabama [9]
Wendell Moe Jr.IOL Arizona [10]
Sam PendletonIOL Notre Dame [11]
Josh SchellDL Grand Valley State
Star ThomasRB Duke [12]

[13] [14]

Schedule

DateTimeOpponentRankSiteTVResultAttendance
August 3012:00 p.m.vs. Syracuse *No. 24 ABC W 45–2645,918
September 63:30 p.m. East Tennessee State *No. 22 SECN+/ESPN+
September 133:30 p.m. Georgia
  • Neyland Stadium
  • Knoxville, TN (rivalry)
ABC
September 2012:45 p.m. UAB *
  • Neyland Stadium
  • Knoxville, TN
SECN
September 27at Mississippi State
October 11 Arkansas
  • Neyland Stadium
  • Knoxville, TN
October 18at Alabama
October 25at Kentucky
November 1 Oklahoma
  • Neyland Stadium
  • Knoxville, TN
November 154:15 p.m. New Mexico State *
  • Neyland Stadium
  • Knoxville, TN
SECN
November 22at Florida
November 29 Vanderbilt
  • Neyland Stadium
  • Knoxville, TN (rivalry)
  • *Non-conference game
  • Rankings from AP Poll - Released prior to game
  • All times are in Eastern time

[15] [16]

Rankings

Ranking movements
Legend:██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking
Week
PollPre123456789101112131415Final
AP 2422
Coaches 1817
CFP Not releasedNot released

Game summaries

vs. Syracuse

Pregame lineOver/under
Syracuse Orange (0–0) vs. No. 24 Tennessee Volunteers (0–0) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Orange0146626
No. 24 Volunteers17147745

at Mercedes-Benz StadiumAtlanta, Georgia

Game information
First quarter
  • TENN – Max Gilbert 34-yard field goal, 12:46. Volunteers 3–0. Drive: 9 plays, 59 yards, 2:14.
  • TENN – Peyton Lewis 2-yard run (Max Gilbert kick), 6:02. Volunteers 10–0. Drive: 12 plays, 85 yards, 3:35.
  • TENN – Colton Hood 22-yard fumble return (Max Gilbert kick), 0:56. Volunteers 17–0.
Second quarter
  • SYR – Yasin Willis 2-yard run (Tripp Woody kick), 11:40. Volunteers 17–7. Drive: 11 plays, 75 yards, 4:16.
  • TENN – Braylon Staley 73-yard pass from Joey Aguilar (Max Gilbert kick), 11:14. Volunteers 24–7. Drive: 2 plays, 75 yards, 0:26.
  • SYR – Johntay Cook II 3-yard pass from Steve Angeli (Tripp Woody kick), 1:55. Volunteers 24–14. Drive: 9 plays, 49 yards, 3:38.
  • TENN – DeSean Bishop 1-yard run (Max Gilbert kick), 0:21. Volunteers 31–14. Drive: 6 plays, 75 yards, 1:34.
Third quarter
  • TENN – Star Thomas 7-yard pass from Joey Aguilar (Max Gilbert kick), 12:22. Volunteers 38–14. Drive: 7 plays, 17 yards, 2:27.
  • SYR – Yasin Willis 1-yard run (pass failed), 7:33. Volunteers 38–20. Drive: 12 plays, 75 yards, 4:49.
Fourth quarter
  • SYR – Yasin Willis 1-yard run (run failed), 11:54. Volunteers 38–26. Drive: 14 plays, 88 yards, 5:19.
  • TENN – Miles Kitselman 2-yard pass from Joey Aguilar (Max Gilbert kick), 3:57. Volunteers 45–26. Drive: 9 plays, 54 yards, 4:42.
StatisticsSYRTENN
First downs2422
Plays–yards84–37767–495
Rushes–yards44–10339–248
Passing yards274247
Passing: comp–att–int23–40–116–28–0
Turnovers21
Time of possession34:3125:29
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
SyracusePassingSteve Angeli23/40, 274 yards, TD, INT
RushingYasin Willis23 carries, 91 yards, 3 TD
ReceivingDan Villari5 receptions, 55 yards
TennesseePassingJoey Aguilar16/28, 247 yards, 3 TD
RushingStar Thomas12 carries, 92 yards
ReceivingBraylon Staley4 receptions, 95 yards, TD

vs East Tennessee State (FCS)

Pregame lineOver/under
East Tennessee State Buccaneers (FCS) (1–0) at No. 22 Tennessee Volunteers (1–0) – Game summary
Quarter12Total
Buccaneers (FCS)0
No. 22 Volunteers0

at Neyland StadiumKnoxville, Tennessee

  • Date: September 6
  • Game time: 3:30 p.m.
  • Game weather:  
  • Game attendance:  
  • Referee:  
  • TV announcers (SECN+/ESPN+): Matt Schumacker, Dustin Fox, and Stephanie Otey
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
StatisticsETSUTENN
First downs
Plays–yards
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passing: comp–att–int
Turnovers
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
East Tennessee StatePassing
Rushing
Receiving
TennesseePassing
Rushing
Receiving

vs Georgia (rivalry)

Pregame lineOver/under
Georgia Bulldogs (0–0) vs Tennessee Volunteers (0–0) – Game summary
Quarter12Total
Bulldogs0
Volunteers0

at Neyland Stadium • Knoxville, Tennessee

  • Date: September 13
  • Game time: 3:30 p.m.
  • Game weather:  
  • Game attendance:  
  • Referee:  
  • TV announcers (ABC):  
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
StatisticsUGATENN
First downs
Plays–yards
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passing: comp–att–int
Turnovers
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
GeorgiaPassing
Rushing
Receiving
TennesseePassing
Rushing
Receiving

vs UAB

Pregame lineOver/under
UAB Blazers (0–0) vs Tennessee Volunteers (0–0) – Game summary
Quarter12Total
Blazers0
Volunteers0

at Neyland Stadium • Knoxville, Tennessee

  • Date: September 20
  • Game time: 12:45 p.m.
  • Game weather:  
  • Game attendance:  
  • Referee:  
  • TV announcers (SECN):  
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
StatisticsUABTENN
First downs
Plays–yards
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passing: comp–att–int
Turnovers
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
UABPassing
Rushing
Receiving
TennesseePassing
Rushing
Receiving

at Mississippi State

Pregame lineOver/under
Tennessee Volunteers (0–0) at Mississippi State Bulldogs (0–0) – Game summary
Quarter12Total
Volunteers0
Bulldogs0

at Davis Wade StadiumStarkville, Mississippi

  • Date: September 27
  • Game time:  
  • Game weather:  
  • Game attendance:  
  • Referee:  
  • TV announcers ( ):  
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
StatisticsTENNMSST
First downs
Plays–yards
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passing: comp–att–int
Turnovers
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
TennesseePassing
Rushing
Receiving
Mississippi StatePassing
Rushing
Receiving

vs Arkansas

Pregame lineOver/under
Arkansas Razorbacks (0–0) vs Tennessee Volunteers (0–0) – Game summary
Quarter12Total
Razorbacks0
Volunteers0

at Neyland Stadium • Knoxville, Tennessee

  • Date: October 11
  • Game time:  
  • Game weather:  
  • Game attendance:  
  • Referee:  
  • TV announcers ( ):  
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
StatisticsARKTENN
First downs
Plays–yards
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passing: comp–att–int
Turnovers
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
ArkansasPassing
Rushing
Receiving
TennesseePassing
Rushing
Receiving

at Alabama (Third Saturday in October)

Pregame lineOver/under
Tennessee Volunteers (0–0) at Alabama Crimson Tide (0–0) – Game summary
Quarter12Total
Volunteers0
Crimson Tide0

at Bryant–Denny StadiumTuscaloosa, Alabama

  • Date: October 18
  • Game time:  
  • Game weather:  
  • Game attendance:  
  • Referee:  
  • TV announcers ( ):  
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
StatisticsTENNALA
First downs
Plays–yards
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passing: comp–att–int
Turnovers
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
TennesseePassing
Rushing
Receiving
AlabamaPassing
Rushing
Receiving

at Kentucky (rivalry)

Pregame lineOver/under
Tennessee Volunteers (0–0) at Kentucky Wildcats (0–0) – Game summary
Quarter12Total
Volunteers0
Wildcats0

at Kroger FieldLexington, Kentucky

  • Date: October 25
  • Game time:  
  • Game weather:  
  • Game attendance:  
  • Referee:  
  • TV announcers ( ):  
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
StatisticsTENNUK
First downs
Plays–yards
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passing: comp–att–int
Turnovers
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
TennesseePassing
Rushing
Receiving
KentuckyPassing
Rushing
Receiving

vs Oklahoma

Pregame lineOver/under
Oklahoma Sooners (0–0) vs Tennessee Volunteers (0–0) – Game summary
Quarter12Total
Sooners0
Volunteers0

at Neyland Stadium • Knoxville, Tennessee

  • Date: November 1
  • Game time:  
  • Game weather:  
  • Game attendance:  
  • Referee:  
  • TV announcers ( ):  
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
StatisticsOUTENN
First downs
Plays–yards
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passing: comp–att–int
Turnovers
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
OklahomaPassing
Rushing
Receiving
TennesseePassing
Rushing
Receiving

vs New Mexico State

Pregame lineOver/under
New Mexico State Aggies (0–0) vs Tennessee Volunteers (0–0) – Game summary
Quarter12Total
Aggies0
Volunteers0

at Neyland Stadium • Knoxville, Tennessee

  • Date: November 15
  • Game time: 4:15 p.m.
  • Game weather:  
  • Game attendance:  
  • Referee:  
  • TV announcers (SECN):  
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
StatisticsNMSUTENN
First downs
Plays–yards
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passing: comp–att–int
Turnovers
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
New Mexico StatePassing
Rushing
Receiving
TennesseePassing
Rushing
Receiving

at Florida (rivalry)

Pregame lineOver/under
Tennessee Volunteers (0–0) at Florida Gators (0–0) – Game summary
Quarter12Total
Volunteers0
Gators0

at Ben Hill Griffin StadiumGainesville, Florida

  • Date: November 22
  • Game time:  
  • Game weather:  
  • Game attendance:  
  • Referee:  
  • TV announcers ( ):  
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
StatisticsTENNUF
First downs
Plays–yards
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passing: comp–att–int
Turnovers
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
TennesseePassing
Rushing
Receiving
FloridaPassing
Rushing
Receiving

vs Vanderbilt (rivalry)

Pregame lineOver/under
Vanderbilt Commodores (0–0) vs Tennessee Volunteers (0–0) – Game summary
Quarter12Total
Commodores0
Volunteers0

at Neyland Stadium • Knoxville, Tennessee

  • Date: November 29
  • Game time:  
  • Game weather:  
  • Game attendance:  
  • Referee:  
  • TV announcers ( ):  
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
StatisticsVANTENN
First downs
Plays–yards
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passing: comp–att–int
Turnovers
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
VanderbiltPassing
Rushing
Receiving
TennesseePassing
Rushing
Receiving

Roster

2025 Tennessee Volunteers football team roster
PlayersCoaches
Offense
Pos.#NameClass
TE 0Ethan Davis Redshirt.svg  So
WR 1Travis Smith Jr.Fr
RB 2 Peyton Lewis So
TE 3Jack Van DorselaerFr
WR 4 Mike Matthews So
WR 5Radarious JacksonFr
QB 6 Joey Aguilar Redshirt.svg  Sr
TE 7DaSaahn BrameFr
RB 9Star ThomasSr
QB 12 Jake Merklinger Redshirt.svg  Fr
QB 13 Mason Phillips Fr
WR 14Braylon Staley Redshirt.svg  Fr
QB 15George MacIntyreFr
WR 17 Chris Brazzell II Redshirt.svg  Jr
RB 18 DeSean Bishop Redshirt.svg  So
RB 19Daune MorrisFr
RB 20Justin BakerFr
RB 24Hunter Barnes Redshirt.svg  Jr
WR 26Carson Whitehead Redshirt.svg  Jr
WR 29Jack-Henry Jakobik Redshirt.svg  So
WR 35Ben PetermannFr
WR 36Nathan Roberts Redshirt.svg  So
WR 39Malcolm Kinzer Redshirt.svg  Fr
TE 40Seamus MeagherSr
WR 42Braylon Harmon Redshirt.svg  Fr
OL 50William Satterwhite Redshirt.svg  Fr
OL 51Jeremias Heard Redshirt.svg  Fr
OL 53 Lance Heard Jr
OL 55Antoni OgumoroFr
OL 56Sam Pendleton Redshirt.svg  So
OL 58Nic MooreFr
OL 68Bennett Warren Redshirt.svg  Fr
OL 69Gus Hill Redshirt.svg  Jr
OL 70David Sanders Jr.Fr
OL 71Max Anderson Redshirt.svg  Fr
OL 72Jesse Perry Redshirt.svg  Fr
OL 73Brian Grant Redshirt.svg  Jr
OL 74Shamurad Umarov Redshirt.svg  So
OL 75Wendell Moe Jr.Jr
OL 78Gage Ginther Redshirt.svg  Fr
WR 81Amari Jefferson Redshirt.svg  Fr
WR 83Trey Weary Redshirt.svg  Jr
WR 84Tommy Winton III Redshirt.svg  Jr
TE 86Cole Harrison Redshirt.svg  Fr
TE 87 Miles Kitselman Sr
WR 88Deon HardinJr
WR 89Joakim DodsonFr
Defense
Pos.#NameClass
DB 0William Wright Redshirt.svg  Sr
DB 1Rickey Gibson IIIJr
DB 2Andre Turrentine Redshirt.svg  Sr
DB 3 Jermod McCoy Jr
DB 4Jourdan Thomas Redshirt.svg  Jr
DB 6Jalen McMurray Redshirt.svg  Sr
LB 7 Arion Carter Jr
DB 9Jakobe Thomas Redshirt.svg  Sr
DB 12John SlaughterJr
LB 13Edwin Spillman Redshirt.svg  Fr
DB 14Christian Charles Redshirt.svg  Sr
DB 15Edrees FarooqSo
DL 18Tyree Weathersby Redshirt.svg  So
DL 19 Joshua Josephs Sr
DL 20Bryson Eason Redshirt.svg  Sr
LB 22Jeremiah TelanderJr
DB 23 Boo Carter So
DB 25Kaleb BeasleySo
DB 26Sidney WaltonFr
DB 27Ty RedmondFr
DB 28Marcus Goree Jr. Redshirt.svg  Fr
DL 29Jordan RossSo
DL 30Jamal Wallace Redshirt.svg  Jr
DL 31Caleb HerringJr
LB 33Ben Bolton Redshirt.svg  Jr
DB 34Dylan LewisFr
DB 35Timothy MerrittFr
DB 36Tre PoteatFr
DB 37Montrell Bandy Redshirt.svg  Sr
DB 38Andre Stewart Redshirt.svg  Jr
DL 39Jayden LoftinFr
DB 40Colin Brazzell Redshirt.svg  Fr
LB 41Jadon PerlotteFr
DL 42Tyre WestSr
DB 43Jackson Mathews Redshirt.svg  Fr
DB 44Steele Katina Redshirt.svg  Fr
DL 46Christian GassFr
DL 47Isaiah CampbellFr
LB 48Jaedon HarmonFr
LB 50Ryan Scott Redshirt.svg  Fr
DL 51Jaxson MoiSr
DL 52Mariyon DyeFr
DL 53Daevin HobbsJr
LB 54Jordan Burns Redshirt.svg  Fr
LB 55Brenden AnesFr
DL 56Kellen Lindstrom Redshirt.svg  Fr
LB 57Grier Short Redshirt.svg  Fr
DL 58Herb Gray Redshirt.svg  Fr
DL 59Tim Amet Redshirt.svg  Sr
DL 87Joshua Helsdon Redshirt.svg  Jr
DL 89Mike Bethea Redshirt.svg  Jr
DL 90Dominic Bailey Redshirt.svg  Sr
DL 94Nathan Robinson Redshirt.svg  So
DL 95Carson Gentle Redshirt.svg  Fr
DL 96Isaiah Inge Redshirt.svg  Fr
DL 97Ethan UtleyFr
DL 98Emmanuel Okoye Redshirt.svg  So
Special teams
Pos.#NameClass
LS 48Bennett Brady Redshirt.svg  Jr
PK 90Max Gilbert Redshirt.svg  So
P/PK 94Josh Turbyville Redshirt.svg  Jr
P 98Jackson Ross Redshirt.svg  Jr
Head coach
Coordinators/assistant coaches
  • Alec Abeln – Tight ends
  • Tim BanksDefensive coordinator
  • Evan Crabtree – Special teams coordinator
  • Glen ElarbeeOffensive line
  • Rodney Garner – Defensive line
  • Joey HalzleOffensive coordinator/Quarterbacks
  • Levorn Harbin – Outside linebackers
  • William IngeLinebackers
  • Willie MartinezSecondary
  • Kelsey Pope – Wide receivers
  • De'Rail Sims – Running backs
  • Max ThurmondSenior offensive analyst

Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (S) Suspended
  • (I) Ineligible
  • Injury icon 2.svg Injured
  • Redshirt.svg Redshirt

Roster

References

  1. Sparks, Adam (April 24, 2025). "Tennessee football NFL draft picks: Tracking every player drafted". Knoxville News Sentinel. Retrieved May 29, 2025.
  2. Crawford, Kolby (December 29, 2024). "Tennessee transfer WR Cameron Seldon commits to Virginia Tech". 247Sports. Retrieved March 4, 2025.
  3. Sklar, Sam (December 19, 2024). "Mississippi State football lands Jalen Smith as Tennessee transfer". The Clarion-Ledger. Retrieved March 4, 2025.
  4. Londergan, Joe (January 27, 2025). "TRANSFER PORTAL: Tennessee WR Nate Spillman Commits To Charlotte". SI.com. Retrieved March 4, 2025.
  5. Horner, Scott (January 9, 2025). "Indiana football transfer portal signs tight end Holden Staes". IndyStar. Retrieved March 4, 2025.
  6. https://www.knoxnews.com/story/sports/college/university-of-tennessee/football/2025/05/02/jakobe-thomas-tennessee-football-transfer-portal-miami/83327512007/
  7. Schumpert, Ryan (December 18, 2024). "Tennessee Transfer WR Flips Commitment From ACC To Big 10 School". Rocky Top Insider. Retrieved March 4, 2025.
  8. Lewis, Dustin (January 5, 2025). "Florida State Lands Explosive Tennessee Wide Receiver Transfer Squirrel White". SI.com. Retrieved March 4, 2025.
  9. Hall, Cora (January 7, 2025). "Tennessee football lands Alabama WR Amari Jefferson from transfer portal". Knoxville News Sentinel. Retrieved March 4, 2025.
  10. Johnson, Tanner (December 18, 2024). "Tennessee Football Lands Arizona Transfer OL Wendell Moe". SI.com. Retrieved March 4, 2025.
  11. O'Bleness, Ryan (January 26, 2025). "Notre Dame transfer offensive guard Sam Pendleton commits to Tennessee". NBC Sports. Retrieved March 4, 2025.
  12. Giles, Matt (January 19, 2025). "Duke Football Star Announces Transfer to Tennessee". SI.com. Retrieved March 4, 2025.
  13. "2025 College Football Transfer Portal". 247Sports.com. Retrieved March 2, 2025.
  14. "Tennessee Football Transfer Portal". On3.com. Retrieved March 2, 2025.
  15. Sparks, Adam (December 11, 2024). "Tennessee football's 2025 schedule is complete: See the full list of opponents, dates". Knoxville News Sentinel. Retrieved December 19, 2024.
  16. "2025 Tennessee Football Schedule". FBSchedules.com. Retrieved December 19, 2024.