Tennessee Vols drop a spot in the latest top 25 rankings from The Athletic
The Tennessee Vols haven't played a game yet, but they still dropped a spot in the latest top 25 rankings from The Athletic. Prior to spring practice, The Athletic had the Vols ranked at No. 14. Their post-spring practice rankings, however, have Tennessee at No. 15 (one spot behind Lane Kiffin and Ole Miss). From […]
The Tennessee Vols haven't played a game yet, but they still dropped a spot in the latest top 25 rankings from The Athletic.
Prior to spring practice, The Athletic had the Vols ranked at No. 14.
Their post-spring practice rankings, however, have Tennessee at No. 15 (one spot behind Lane Kiffin and Ole Miss).
Josh Heupel should have himself another explosive offense, led by QB Hendon Hooker, WR Cedric Tillman and RB Jabari Small. Third-year WR Jalin Hyatt should take on a bigger role, and Jimmy Calloway showed off his big-play ability in the Vols’ last scrimmage. LBs Jeremy Banks and Aaron Beasley and edge Byron Young lead a defense that gave up too many big plays late in some of their biggest games.
The reason the Vols fell in The Athletic's top 25 is because USC jumped all the way to No. 12 after landing Pittsburgh wide receiver Jordan Addison as a transfer addition.
This is still an extremely optimistic view of Tennessee, which didn't finish the 2021 season as a top 25 team. I think the Vols will prove to be worthy of a top 25 ranking in 2022, but I'm not sure they should start the season at No. 15.
Tennessee should probably start the season in the No. 20 to No. 25 range. That would be a more appropriate ranking for a team coming off a 7-6 season that's hoping to take a step forward in 2022.
Featured image via Calvin Mattheis/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK
