Last season, Tennessee’s transfer portal quarterback Joey Aguilar led the SEC in passing yards per game.
I didn’t see that coming.
Last season, former walk-on running back DeSean Bishop rushed for more than 1,000 yards.
I didn’t see that coming.
Last season, three Vols exceeded 800 receiving yards for the first time in school history.
I didn’t see that coming.
So why, you might ask, would I dare do a preseason prediction column on Tennessee?
Because I’m a gluten for punishment.
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This season, Tennessee’s team and individual stats might be more difficult to project than ever – or at least since Josh Heupel’s debut season on Rocky Top in 2021.
Forty new players litter the roster. A new quarterback. A new defensive staff. A new strength and conditioning coach. A new SEC schedule.
Good luck looking into a crystal ball this season.
Nonetheless, here we go:
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Quarterback Faizon Brandon will eventually win the job. He will pass for 2,600 yards – similar to what Nico Iamaleava did in 2024 – 20 touchdowns, run for more than 250 net yards and eight more scores. Nico had 19 TDs, 5 picks and 358 net rush yards.
Receivers Braylen Staley and Mike Matthews will each have over 800 receiving yards but, unlike last year, a third receiver will have less than 600. That’s because UT won’t pass for more than 3,600 yards and a third receiver could likely be part of a rotation.
Bishop will top 1,000 yards again, becoming the first UT back since Johnnie Jones (1983-84) to reach that mark in back-to-back seasons. Backup running back Javin Gordon (Tulane transfer) will get over 600 yards.
Tight end Ethan Davis will catch over 40 passes, provided he plays in at least 10 games. He will be a welcome safety valve for Brandon.
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Defensive end Jordan Norman will lead the team with eight sacks. He had six at Tulane last season and has increased his sack total each year he’s been in college.
Linebackers will combine for eight more sacks. Defensive tackle Xavier Gilliam will record five sacks, an important number for an interior lineman.
Linebacker Arion Carter will once again lead the team in tackles per game despite missing the first two games due to a suspension. Amare Campbell (Penn State transfer) will finish with just under his Penn State total from a year ago – 103.
Cornerback Ty Redmond will lead the team with four interceptions and 14 passes broken up – which will rank in the top five in the SEC.
Kicker Cooper Ranvier (Louisville transfer) made 21 of 25 field-goal attempts last year with a long of 51. He’ll make 24 of 28 this year with three of at least 50 yards.
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The offense will average 430 total yards (a low under Heupel at UT) with 240 passing, 190 rushing.
UT will average 34 points per game (27 in SEC play) but have only three games of more than 40 points (UT had seven last year). It will have three games of 21 or fewer points (it had one last year).
The defense will allow 22 points per game, down from 28.8 last year. It will surrender 30 points or more in five games (it allowed eight last year). It will allow 350 yards per game (compared to 397 last year) with opponents getting 135 rushing and 215 passing.
Tennessee will face five quarterbacks who total at least 275 yards of offense.
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