Tennessee football returns to Neyland Stadium for its 2025 home opener Saturday afternoon. It’s an easy home opener for the Vols as they host instate foe ETSU ahead of their week three showdown against Georgia.
It’s the second game of the season so there’s still things to learn about Tennessee, but it’s also an easy matchup that should give Josh Heupel and his staff plenty of opportunities to play young players. Here are the five Tennessee players I’m most intrigued to watch against ETSU.
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RT David Sanders
Let’s try this one again. Sanders was one of the players I was most intrigued to watch last week in the opener but he was unable to play against Syracuse with a minor injury. The expectations is that Sanders will make his collegiate debut against ETSU and start at right tackle.
It’s important that Sanders does play this weekend and doesn’t make his collegiate debut next week against Georgia’s stout defensive front. The Vols’ offensive line looked great a week ago against Syracuse and Sanders should be able to dominant FCS competition.
But I’m still excited to see what Sanders looks like in his first college action as he looks to get his feet wet before the Bulldogs come to town.
WR Travis Smith Jr
The talented freshman was Tennessee’s first receiver off the bench last week against Syracuse. But even then, he played just seven snaps and wasn’t able to haul in the one pass thrown his way.
Smith should play an abundance of snaps against ETSU and get the chance to prove what he can do with both Joey Aguilar and Jake Merklinger behind center. The blue-chip recruit can help Tennessee this season and could have to if the Vols suffer any injuries at receiver. Smith can get his feet wet and get comfortable at the college level against ETSU.
DT Ethan Utley
Tennessee entered fall camp thin at defensive tackle. Through fall camp and one game, they’ve lost two of the three returning defensive tackles who played snaps a season ago. Daevin Hobbs, who injured his foot in the preseason, will miss a few more week while Jaxson Moi, upper body injury, could return earlier.
But neither will play against ETSU Saturday leaving Bryson Eason and Nathan Robinson as Tennessee’s top two defensive tackles. After Robinson’s strong showing against Syracuse, there’s reasons to feel good about him helping the Vols this season. But what about behind him?
Jamal Wallace, Ethan Utley, Isaiah Campbell and Josh Schell will all play major snaps in this game. I’m most intrigued to watch Utley. The freshman played 13 snaps a week ago, mostly in pass rush spots, but will need to give Tennessee more while Hobbs and Moi are sidelined. Facing a FCS opponent will give him a chance to make plays.
STAR Boo Carter
Boo Carter played 27 defensive snaps a week ago against Syracuse but didn’t return punts. I’m curious to see if that changes this week and Tennessee gives Carter a chance to return punts before the SEC slate begins. Long term, I still believe Carter is the punt returner on this team. ETSU is a good opportunity to move him back into that role.
Then defensively, does his role change. Rickey Gibson missing an “extended period” of time means Tennessee could use Jalen McMurray at cornerback more than they do STAR.
Tennessee should have a comfortable enough lead that they don’t need Carter much in the second half, but what about the first half? He played two first half series a week ago. I’m curious to see whether he plays more this week.
CB Ty Redmond
Speaking of Gibson’s injury, freshman corner Ty Redmond will be the first one to step up in his place and will likely start opposite of Colton Hood. The three-star freshman was terrific in his debut a week ago, allowing just one catch and posting Tennessee’s highest defensive PFF grade while playing 60 snaps.
Cornerback is a position about being able to stack good reps and to put the bad ones quickly behind you when they happen. I’m excited to watch Redmond play after his strong debut and am curious if he can turn in another strong performance.
