On Saturday evening, Tennessee football’s 2025 season came to a close. The Vols lost 45-24 to Vanderbilt, resulting in an 8-4 (4-4 SEC) finish.
Josh Heupel’s Tennessee squad finished with a poor 1-3 record at home in conference play. It did not beat a single Power Four team with a winning record, but only lost to opponents who are in the top 15 of the AP Poll.
After the regular season came to a close, we asked fans on X to grade Tennessee’s 2025 season, the fifth under Heupel. Here are some responses.
More From RTI: Tennessee Falls Out of the AP Rankings Following the Regular Season
Overall – C
Offense – B+
Defense – D
Special teams – C
Coaching Overall – CTough year but not far from where predictions were at preseason. Injuries hurt for sure, but lack of adjustments overall are concerning. Changes need to be made to make this team better.
— VOLSFanInGA🍊 (@Cavsbsb16) November 30, 2025
B- . Exceeded my expectations. I thought we would get 6-7 wins. Defenses lack of tackling and physicality was very disappointing on the year and lost us games.
— Exit1Trell (@Exit1Trell) November 30, 2025
C: The Vols lost to Georgia by a wide right field goal in September. Two months later they get housed by Vandy by 21 points at Neyland. It undoubtedly means they regressed and what started out as a somewhat promising season, turned to bitter disappointment for disheartened fans.
— John W (TNJohnVolsFan#1) (@tnjohnvolsfan) November 30, 2025
C-
But I have a deep appreciation for Joey Aguliar. Imagine the frustration he had to have with all the drops
— Modern Day Crusader (@FaithofFaith_) November 30, 2025
B+, only because they had to replace the starting quarterback after spring football and our starting cornerbacks didn’t play. Otherwise it is a C…… having said that we are about 4 or 5 plays away from the playoffs! Go figure!
— Tom Cate (@01Tomcate) November 30, 2025
Very tough schedule, very porous D, inconsistent OL & running game play.
If we can ever have a complete team — for an entire season (looking at you, 2022 team), it could be special. But we have to stop having amazing D’s w/ no O, crazy good O w/ bad D, 600 yd passing games w/…
— Shakur Moneymaker (@stu_623) November 30, 2025
From an outsiders perspective:
I like Tennessee a lot. Always been one of my favorite SEC teams.
But, Theres nothing to be proud of about an 8-4 record when 0 of those 8 wins came against teams with over a .500 record. It seems like Tennessee continuing to be ranked was a…
— Frisky Dingo ✌️ (@friskydingo4242) November 30, 2025
QB: B+
WR: A-
RB: B
TE: B
OL: A-
DL: C+
CB: B
LB: C+
STAR: D
SAFETY: F
PUNT/KICKOFF: A
FG/XP: D
PUNT/KICK RETURN: F— HairyVols101 (@HairyVols101) November 30, 2025
With this roster AND OPPORTUNITIES WE MISSED, c- and that’s not good enough at Tennessee!
— Rodney Ayers (@govols9819) November 30, 2025
D. We beat 1 team with a winning record, ETSU. We also looked bad beating some of the teams we beat. 5th year with no discipline.
— Todd (@onecrazytj) November 30, 2025
I said I’d be happy with an 8 win season when Nico left in April and we had to retool the offense. I would have preferred to not lose to Vandy but it’s not starting a trend. We beat Florida in the swamp!
— RP in TN (@volalum1) November 30, 2025
Before the season I said 8-4/7-5 but expectations change when you see what’s put out there how things go. Because of that, C-
— Logan Addison (@addisonlogan30) November 30, 2025
C- All wins were against teams with less than 6 wins. Losses were to teams that are legit CFP contenders. Just a mediocre season.
— VOLFORLIFE62 (@volforlife62) November 30, 2025
C. Honestly could have been an A if they make that field goal.
— Charles Taylor (@CharlesTaylol) November 30, 2025
D-
There isn’t one appealing thing about the Tennessee resume.
Fail after fail after fail. Lost to everyone good on the schedule. Wins against trash schools. 3 home defeats.
Heupel has hit his ceiling.
Nothing will convince me this guy can get it done here.
— Rockyadriane (@CTREM31) November 30, 2025
C-.
0 wins against over 500 teams
3 losses at home
Terrible clock mgmt/decisions impacted close games.— PokeVol (@VolStang11) November 30, 2025
C. 8-4 isn’t that bad at a glimpse but 3 conference home losses ain’t acceptable. That’s the issue. You got the gritty road wins, but you failed it protect home turf.
— SSJ Vols 🍊 (@bayleefmaster) November 30, 2025
Overall C – defense has to learn how to tackle and secondary be better in man-to-man coverage. Offense was good against less talented teams and could not score in the second half against good teams. Need more depth and guys who want to compete every game (no motivation needed)
— Clayton Alexander (@CSAVol2015) November 30, 2025
When I was in school, a C meant average. At best, that’s what they were. You had hopes for them, but they regressed over the course of the season. And showed no heart against the Dores in the finale.
— Glenn Mitchell (@Jglennmitchell) November 30, 2025
This was a team that underachieved its potential. The biggest disappointment was our defense. Even when we scored points, we couldn’t stop anyone. These is talent in all the positions; but. execution was inconsistent. So, I give them a C.
— John Casey (@SuperJohnCasey) November 30, 2025
