Tennessee football relied on one of the best defenses in the country to earn a spot in the College Football Playoffs in 2024. If the Vols want to get back to that spot in 2025, they may follow a similar formula.
According to Kelley Ford’s rankings for the defensive side of the ball, Tennessee will have a unit that will be one of the best in the nation again. UT’s group clocks in at No. 4 heading into the season. The average FBS team earns a score of 50 in the ratings. Tennessee is posted at 97.4.
This is the second-best mark in the SEC behind just Texas at No. 1. The other teams ahead of the Vols are Michigan at No. 2 and Ohio State at No. 3. Other teams inside the top 10 in order from best to worst are Alabama, Georgia, Ole Miss, Notre Dame, Penn State and Iowa.
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A year ago, Tennessee’s defense gave up just 16.1 points per game. This was the seventh-least amount of points allowed in the country and third in the SEC.
In terms of total offense, the Vols gave up only 293.2 yards per game in their 13 appearances. This was the sixth-least amount in the country and second in the conference. In terms of allowed yardage by play, Tennessee gave up 103.9 rushing yards (10th in the country) and 189.3 passing yards (29th in the country).
This year, the Vols will have to replace a handful of elite pieces, particularly on the defensive line. James Pearce Jr., an outside linebacker, was a first-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. Omarr Norman-Lott, a defensive tackle, was also selected in the draft. Defensive tackles Omari Thomas and Elijah Simmons ran out of eligibility, as well.
However, Tennessee has the pieces to replace the departing talent. Joshua Josephs is poised for a breakout year at the LEO spot that Pearce played. On the interior, UT has Daevin Hobbs, who will miss some time with injury, Bryson Eason, Jaxson Moi and more to help.
At linebacker, Tennessee boasts starters Arion Carter and Jeremiah Telander as returners. In the secondary, Jermod McCoy, who is also coming back from injury, and Rickey Gibson III are the corners. At STAR, Boo Carter and Jalen McMurray are both valid options. At safety, it’ll likely be Andre Turrentine and Edrees Farooq.
