College Football Preview 2025: Tennessee Volunteers

By Max Chadwick and Dalton Wasserman
Posted Jul 24, 2025 9:50 am EDT

Head Coach: Josh Heupel (5th season)
2024 Record: 10-3 (Lost in CFP First Round)
Strength of Schedule: 55th
PFF Projected Win Total: 7.5
FanDuel Win Total: 8.5

2024 Recap

Tennessee enjoyed another strong season under Josh Heupel, reaching the inaugural 12-team College Football Playoff before falling to eventual national champion Ohio State. It marked the Volunteers’ third consecutive top-20 finish, their best three-year run of the 21st century.

A dominant defense powered the 2024 campaign, finishing third nationally in EPA per play. That unit should remain a strength in 2025 with several key contributors returning. The offense, however, faces more uncertainty following the departures of star running back Dylan Sampson to the Cleveland Browns and quarterback Nico Iamaleava, who transferred to UCLA.

Biggest Strength: A strong defense

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