Tennessee Volunteers Face a Crucial Rebuilding Year After Playoff Debut
For the first time in program history, the Tennessee Volunteers reached the College Football Playoff last season, marking a significant milestone for the team and its fanbase. However, their journey through the postseason was cut short, as they suffered a decisive 42-17 loss to the Ohio State Buckeyes on the road in Columbus. While making the playoff represented progress, the next challenge for Tennessee is clear: not just reaching the playoff, but advancing past the first round and competing at a higher level.
That said, expectations for the 2025 season are far more tempered. Rather than being considered a legitimate playoff contender again this year, Tennessee is seen as a team entering a transition period. Much of the uncertainty surrounding the Volunteers stems from the offseason departure of their starting quarterback, Nico Iamaleava, who entered the NCAA transfer portal and ultimately landed at UCLA after spring practices concluded.
This departure has created a significant question mark for the Volunteers heading into head coach Josh Heupel’s fifth season at the helm. After guiding Tennessee to its first-ever playoff appearance, Heupel is now tasked with regrouping and managing lowered expectations while still pushing the program forward.
ESPN analyst Cole Cubelic recently commented on the current state of the program, suggesting that simply reaching eight wins in the upcoming season should be viewed as a success given the circumstances. While this may seem like a step back for a program that just reached the playoff, it’s a realistic assessment considering the major personnel change at quarterback.
The uncertainty at the quarterback position is just one reason why expectations have cooled. An anonymous opposing SEC coach shared his thoughts with Athlon Sports, expressing doubt that Tennessee will return to the playoff this year. In his comments, the coach pointed to Iamaleava’s departure as a turning point for the team, noting that while the Volunteers’ offensive system remains effective and flexible, losing a player of Nico’s caliber is tough to overcome.
“Losing Nico [Iamaleava] isn’t ideal,” the coach said. “They’re not replacing him with someone more talented, and they’re losing the quarterback who had already played in a playoff game in their system. That experience matters. Still, given the situation, I don’t think the blame falls on Josh Heupel or the program. With the turnover on defense, Nico leaving makes this transition year easier to understand.”
Despite the loss of Iamaleava, the coach emphasized that Tennessee’s offensive system is known for its adaptability and shouldn’t experience a total breakdown. “The offense won’t completely collapse. That scheme does a good job of tailoring to the strengths of whoever’s under center,” he added.
Still, the bigger concern might lie on the defensive side of the ball. According to the same coach, Tennessee’s defense was instrumental in the team’s success last season, especially in high-stakes games. With multiple starters from that unit moving on, the Volunteers are facing a tough rebuild. While the secondary remains a strength and should provide some stability, overall defensive depth and cohesion will need to be reestablished quickly if the team wants to remain competitive in the SEC.
“They’re going to take a step back this year,” the coach concluded. “I don’t see them as a playoff team in 2025. But the quarterback situation won’t be a total disaster either.”
Even with the challenges ahead, Tennessee is far from out of the race. The path back to the playoff is a narrow one, but not impossible. To get there, the Vols will likely need to reach at least ten wins during the regular season. This is a tall order, especially without a returning star at quarterback, but not outside the realm of possibility.
The Vols’ fate will likely hinge on three key matchups: games against SEC powerhouses Alabama, Florida, and Georgia. These games will be the defining tests of Tennessee’s season. If the Vols can manage to win at least one of those matchups and secure victories in the remaining games on their schedule—which includes several winnable contests—they could make a compelling case for another playoff berth.
Fortunately for Tennessee, while preseason predictions may seem grim, they’re ultimately just projections. Football is played on the field, not on paper. Teams often outperform or fall short of expectations, and the unpredictability of each season is part of what makes college football so compelling.
For now, fans and analysts alike are bracing for what could be a rebuilding year for the Volunteers. It may not bring the highs of last season’s playoff run, but it will provide a crucial opportunity to develop young talent, build continuity, and prepare for what could be a bigger leap in 2026. In fact, whispers around Knoxville suggest that the Vols could be planning a major shift or strategic change in the 2026 season, though details remain under wraps for now.
Whatever that change may be, this year will serve as a bridge between eras for the program. While the immediate future may not include a return to the playoff, the long-term vision for Tennessee remains promising. With a strong coaching staff, a passionate fanbase, and a track record of developing talent, the foundation is still solid.
As the Volunteers gear up for another SEC campaign, they’ll do so with tempered expectations but plenty of motivation. If nothing else, 2025 offers a chance to regroup, recalibrate, and reignite the fire that carried them to unprecedented heights just a season ago.
Ultimately, Tennessee’s story in 2025 may not be one of domination, but rather one of resilience and preparation. If the Vols can navigate this transition with discipline and development, they could set themselves up for an even stronger future.
One thing is certain: the road back to the College Football Playoff is filled with obstacles, but Tennessee has proven before that it’s capable of rising to the occasion. And in college football, all it takes is one special season to change everything.
