Josh Heupel sets expectation for Tennessee’s identity entering 2025 season

Tennessee’s trip to the College Football Playoff last season has set the standard for success in Knoxville. Not looking to finish any short of that in 2025, the Volunteers will look to establish its identity early this season.

Vols head coach Josh Heupel has high expectations for the players on his roster, which he set ahead of fall camp. He used four words to outline what will lead Tennessee to success this fall.

“Leadership, accountability, and then we get to playing, the effort and attitude that we approach every day with,” Heupel said. “The consistency of ultimately what our fans are going to see on Saturday’s. But to do that, you’ve got to be consistent every single day. That’s what I expect from our guys, and what I think I’m going to get.”

Personnel-wise, Tennessee is returning eight starters from last season’s defense. They all return with College Football Playoff experience. However, the same can’t be said about the Volunteers’ offense following a litany of turnover among its personnel this offseason.

Nico Iamaleava‘s departure was among the top storylines in college football this offseason. In the wake of his departure and eventual commitment to UCLA, former Bruins QB Joey Aguilar hit the portal and found his new home in Knoxville. Unofficially a quarterback swap out of the transfer portal.

Additionally, Tennessee lost its top wide receiver and running back to the NFL Draft and will have to replace all of that production. With major expectations surrounding its new starters at key positions, Heupel sent a message to his players both incoming and returning.

“Be where your feet are at I think it’s really important here through training camp,” Heupel said. “And through that, if you are where your feet are at, you’re going to drain everything out of it. That’s all of it. The practice field, it’s in the meeting room, it’s recovery. All the things that ultimately go into them being their best.

“And collectively, if you do that, you’re going to take big steps forward. And every team in the country, at this point, has got to take big steps.”

Tennessee will kick off its 2025 regular season against Syracuse in Atlanta as a part of the Aflac Kickoff. The Volunteers will face Georgia, Alabama, Oklahoma and Florida down the stretch as they look to shock critics and find themselves right back in the College Football Playoff conversation in 2025.