National media outlet makes big statement about Tennessee Vols and the 2025 college football season
The 2024 season didn't end on a positive note for the Tennessee Vols — losing by 25 points to Ohio State isn't how Josh Heupel's squad envisioned the season ending — but it was still a very successful year for UT football. Tennessee beat Florida and Alabama, making the Vols 4-2 in their last six […]
The 2024 season didn't end on a positive note for the Tennessee Vols — losing by 25 points to Ohio State isn't how Josh Heupel's squad envisioned the season ending — but it was still a very successful year for UT football.
Tennessee beat Florida and Alabama, making the Vols 4-2 in their last six games against the Gators and the Crimson Tide, and the program reached the College Football Playoff for the first time in program history.
Not bad for a program that was left for dead four years ago this month.
The Vols are continuing to trend in the right direction under Heupel. And in 2025, the goal for the program will once again be to compete for a national championship.
247Sports isn’t ready to label the Vols as a top national title contender for 2025 just yet. However, the national sports media outlet believes Tennessee is one of the teams that could "flash" next fall, suggesting that the Vols could "emerge as a serious national contender" if the program can provide quarterback Nico Iamaleava with some help.
From 247Sports: Tennessee has accumulated 30 combined wins over the past three seasons under Josh Heupel, so it is not as if the Volunteers would be a surprise contender if they make noise again in 2025. However, competing for an SEC title and making a deeper run in the College Football Playoff would certainly be considered a flash of brilliance. Quarterback Nico Iamaleava did not meet lofty expectations in 2024 with a one-dimensional offense. If Tennessee is able to get some additional help around him, there is reason to believe the Big Orange could emerge as a serious national contender.
The Vols definitely need to add some playmakers to the roster. It was evident in Tennessee's loss to Ohio State that the Vols need more talent at the skill positions. Additionally, the Vols need to protect Iamaleava better.
There's still work to be done, but the program's ceiling continues to rise under Heupel's leadership.
The top 3 plays of the 2024 season for the Tennessee Vols
What a year for the Vols
