On Saturday, Tennessee football will finally begin its 2025 season with the attempt to get back to the College Football Playoffs. To open the year, the Vols will meet Syracuse in Atlanta at Mercedes-Benz Stadium at noon ET on ABC.
Each week, Rocky Top Insider will take you behind the scenes with a question and answer with a media member who covers Tennessee’s opponent.
This week, Football Host/Sideline Reporter for Syracuse Sports Network from Learfield, Tim Leonard, talks starting quarterbacks, what went well last year for the Orange, what’s different this year and more.
More From RTI: Former Vols Defensive Star Intends to Sign with NFL’s Tennessee Titans
Steve Angeli and Joey Aguilar were both named the starting QBs despite being spring transfers. What jumps off the page about Angeli that he was able to win the job, and how much do you think his transfer timing will play into what he’s able to do this year?
“Fran Brown has consistently raved about Angeli’s leadership and demeanor since he stepped on campus. He said it was a very close battle throughout fall camp, but Angeli had better “operation” than LSU transfer Rickie Collins and that ultimately acted as something of a tiebreaker. Despite Collins having a head start on the playbook from being there in the spring, Angeli is viewed as the safer and higher-floor option among the fanbase. He is not as good of a runner or athlete as Collins, but the hope is he can be like a Kyle McCord lite: a pocket passer that thrives in Jeff Nixon’s offense, which threw the ball more than anyone in FBS last season.
“Angeli also had more game experience and Brown loved the way he looked and carried himself in a relief role for a pivotal drive in the CFP last year for Notre Dame. Obviously, picking up a new playbook in the fall isn’t ideal. The coaching staff has known him long before he stepped on campus though, including QB coach Nunizo Campanile, who is the brother of Angeli’s high school coach.”
How does this team compare to last year’s Syracuse squad? What will be the biggest challenge outside of quarterback in replacing production?
“Syracuse brings back just 37 percent of its production, the fewest in the ACC. Kyle McCord was one of four NFL draft picks along with back-to-back 1,000-yard rusher LeQuint Allen, star tight end Oronde Gadsden and leading pass-rusher Fadil Diggs. The Orange had 12 All-ACC selections last season in the 10-win season and only one of them returns in punter Jack Stonehouse. After some solid transfer portal additions, this is still a talented and deep roster with plenty of speed and size, at least compared to Syracuse teams of the last decade. They are just very young and inexperienced. Skill positions shouldn’t be an issue. The concern would be more with how the pieces fit in the trenches and at the linebacker position. They are also unproven at cornerback, but safety is one of the most experienced positions on the team.”
If Syracuse is to win this game, what do you think has to go well? If they lose, what went wrong?
“Syracuse’s main points of emphasis on defense in the offseason were to improve its tackling and create more turnovers. It would help SU a lot if it could get some pressure on Joey Aguilar, especially considering he was turnover prone last year at App State. A lower-scoring game probably plays into Cuse’s hands. It’s going to be tough to move the sticks consistently against a defense as good as Tennessee. I do think the Orange have the speed and talent on the outside to potentially hit on some home run plays though.”
Who are some star players for Syracuse that people should keep in mind on Saturday?
“Wide receiver Johntay Cook is arguably the most talented player on the roster. A former-five star transfer from Texas and Washington, who seems to have matured off-the-field under the guidance of Coach Brown and is poised for a breakout year. Justus Ross-Simmons and speedster Darrell Gill Jr. also had some big games last year at the wide receiver position. Syracuse fans are very high on the future of sophomore running back Yasin Willis, who is a downhill bruising back.
“On the defensive side of the ball, safeties Devin Grant and Duce Chestnut are known commodities. Four-star Florida flip Demetres Samuel Jr. is a special talent. He is set to start at cornerback as a 17-year-old freshman and play some WR as well, but he’s more of a potential star at this point considering he hasn’t played a college game.”
What is the strength of Syracuse’s offense? Defense?
“If anything it’s underrated nationally how much talent Syracuse still has at running back and wide receiver, despite losing plenty from last year. The hope for Syracuse is that offensive coordinator Jeff Nixon proves he is truly one of the best in the country even without Kyle McCord running the show. With solid weapons and a creative play-caller, Angeli should have guys open to throw too if given enough time. It remains to be seen how pass-heavy the offense will be without McCord at QB.
“Defensively, SU feels good about its safety group and they have some solid interior linemen in Dion “Tank” Wilson and BC transfer George Rooks.”
How do you see this game playing out?
“I tend to see this as more of a low-scoring Tennessee win by roughly 10-14 points. While Syracuse does feel good about the talent they have on offense, it’s unproven and it’s understandable to be concerned about how its new-look offensive line will match up against a very-good SEC defense. Fran Brown has gotten Syracuse way more ready for this stage just based on the depth and size they have in the trenches. They will rotate bodies on the O-line and D-line liberally throughout the game to stay fresh. The culture around Syracuse is very impressive right now. Fran Brown has them working extremely hard in practice and they have full confidence they are going to win this game. My hunch is this might be too tough of an assignment for an inexperienced team in Week 1 though.”
