I know we're young, but I low key think we might be pretty good

[bpalmer28]

QB - Faizon
RB - Bishop
RB2 - Gordon
WR - Stacked
TE - Stacked
LT - Sanders Jr
LG - Moe
C - Pendleton
RG - Haslam
RT - Perry
OL6 - Umarov
OL7 - TBD (Osenda? Heard? Ginther? Other?)

DE - Weathersby
DT - Hobbs
NT/DT - Giliam
Leo/Edge - Norman
LB - Stacked
CB - Redmond
CB - Lee
Star - Moss
S - Farooq
S - Metcalf/Lane

My biggest concern is DL depth and chemistry in the secondary. There's some veteran pieces among the DBs, but it's year 1 under Knowles and only Redmond and Farooq have been on a field together previously. If the defense holds up, I think we can surprise some people without Faizon doing anything spectacular.

 

[Proud Army Wife]

If we were able to keep Joey I’d be convinced we’re winning ten or more games. Since we couldn’t, I’m expecting 2023 Tennessee. The inexperience at qb scares me.

 

[VolatileVol]

There's some good things to like on paper. I think the season largely hinges on just how big of bullies the offensive line have become. If we can't control the line better, then our QB's will struggle mightily in their first season. Additionally, we can't keep putting our defense in those quick 3 and out positions over and over as we have done the past couple seasons. It's a recipe for anything other than success.

 

[GrayWaterCanine]

I think they look like a 5-7 team.

 

[Oldvoldad]

I think they look like a 5-7 team.

Boo!

 

[Oldvoldad]

QB - Faizon
RB - Bishop
RB2 - Gordon
WR - Stacked
TE - Stacked
LT - Sanders Jr
LG - Moe
C - Pendleton
RG - Haslam
RT - Perry
OL6 - Umarov
OL7 - TBD (Osenda? Heard? Ginther? Other?)

DE - Weathersby
DT - Hobbs
NT/DT - Giliam
Leo/Edge - Norman
LB - Stacked
CB - Redmond
CB - Lee
Star - Moss
S - Farooq
S - Metcalf/Lane

My biggest concern is DL depth and chemistry in the secondary. There's some veteran pieces among the DBs, but it's year 1 under Knowles and only Redmond and Farooq have been on a field together previously. If the defense holds up, I think we can surprise some people without Faizon doing anything spectacular.

When I look at this list/roster. I ask myself, which of these guys will be playing on Sundays? Scary answer is: None of these guys are sure bet Sunday talent. Bump that against the schedule we play, and the outlook quickly becomes grim.

 

[OffTackleVol]

I think they look like a 5-7 team.

Surely you're joking. Top to bottom, you can make the argument that this is Heup's most talented team.

 

[adam.vol]

When I look at this list/roster. I ask myself, which of these guys will be playing on Sundays? Scary answer is: None of these guys are sure bet Sunday talent. Bump that against the schedule we play, and the outlook quickly becomes grim.

David Sanders will be all pro if he stays healthy. I know he’s just one guy, but I thought that needed to be corrected.

 

[SayUWantAreVOLution]

When I look at this list/roster. I ask myself, which of these guys will be playing on Sundays? Scary answer is: None of these guys are sure bet Sunday talent. Bump that against the schedule we play, and the outlook quickly becomes grim.

Reasonable assessment for CFP success based upon last year.

Most teams in 2025 that hit the semis had about 7 or 8 players drafted. Ole Miss, the low outlier, had 2 and Ohio State had 14, I think. For the curious, Indiana had 8, I believe.

Unless you can point to at least two players that are "going to the league after this season" then you probably simply lack the horses to compete at the CFP level or you're too young to get there yet.

 

[LouderVol]

Reasonable assessment for CFP success based upon last year.

Most teams in 2025 that hit the semis had about 7 or 8 players drafted. Ole Miss, the low outlier, had 2 and Ohio State had 14, I think. For the curious, Indiana had 8, I believe.

Unless you can point to at least two players that are "going to the league after this season" then you probably simply lack the horses to compete at the CFP level or you're too young to get there yet.

WR: Staley, Mathews
TE: Davis
OL: Moe

DT: Hobbs
LB: Carter

and thats not counting some of the transfers like Campbell, Metcalf, Lee, Moss

granted I don't think any/many are going round one or two, but we will likely have 4 drafted assuming no injuries.

 

[SayUWantAreVOLution]

WR: Staley, Mathews
TE: Davis
OL: Moe

DT: Hobbs
LB: Carter

and thats not counting some of the transfers like Campbell, Metcalf, Lee, Moss

granted I don't think any/many are going round one or two, but we will likely have 4 drafted assuming no injuries.

I think that's a good assessment of Vols who might hit the league.

The idea of looking at the teams that had success recently and how that translates to guys getting drafted to the next level is, IMO, a good way for us to gauge where we're really at in moving toward a Natty.

Halfway there, honestly, ain't bad. It should be an interesting season.

 

[LouderVol]

I think that's a good assessment of Vols who might hit the league.

The idea of looking at the teams that had success recently and how that translates to guys getting drafted to the next level is, IMO, a good way for us to gauge where we're really at in moving toward a Natty.

Halfway there, honestly, ain't bad. It should be an interesting season.

thinking more, I doubt both Staley and Matthews would leave at the same time since they will only be juniors this year. I think its more likely one would stick around. but the other guys are out of eligibility I am pretty sure. we could always sneak in one "younger" guy

as always a lot of it all comes down to injuries. I think this year we are probably the most "talented" we have been under Heupel, but also not as deep as the last couple years. I think the depth is talented, just not tested and known commodities.

 

[SayUWantAreVOLution]

thinking more, I doubt both Staley and Matthews would leave at the same time since they will only be juniors this year. I think its more likely one would stick around. but the other guys are out of eligibility I am pretty sure. we could always sneak in one "younger" guy

as always a lot of it all comes down to injuries. I think this year we are probably the most "talented" we have been under Heupel, but also not as deep as the last couple years. I think the depth is talented, just not tested and known commodities.

Hopefully the hard work Owings is doing and making the guys put in will translate into less injuries as well as more power on the field.

What is good about the Vols this year is our youth. They are getting ingrained early into the hard work and into the system. They will grow.

What is bad about the Vols this year is our youth. They are new to the systems (and the DC is installing some of his system that is new) and newby mistakes will be made.

Last year we heard Heupel say "Our guys are young but we don't have time to be young...."

Here we are again.

 

[VolatileVol]

WR: Staley, Mathews
TE: Davis
OL: Moe

DT: Hobbs
LB: Carter

and thats not counting some of the transfers like Campbell, Metcalf, Lee, Moss

granted I don't think any/many are going round one or two, but we will likely have 4 drafted assuming no injuries.

Staley and Matthews are currently borderline top 100 players for 2027 draft. Davis and Moe likely aren't getting drafted. Hobbs is currently #43 ranked DT for 2027. Spillman/Campbell are probably similar to Hobbs on likely not getting drafted, but will sign. Lee in the secondary is probably higher rated than everyone you listed on defense for NFL draft boards currently. Not many Vols on any boards right now unfortunately for 2027.

 

[Carp]

The defense should be greatly improved. That shouldn't be a surprise give how poor the unit was last year. They may not be a top 5 unit in the SEC, but they should be in the top half of the conference and top half in the country.

The offense will probably look more like 2024. A strong emphasis on running the ball and minimizing turnovers. A lot of designed QB runs with Faizon. While that is bit boring after the high flying offense from last year, it should allow us to control the game a bit better. Fortunately, the offense is designed so that almost any QB with a some talent can succeed. Nico is proof of that. I also like the depth at RB much better than last year.

Final verdict: 9-3 in the regular season with losses to both Texas teams and splitting LSU/Bama. CFP bubble team.

 

[jaguinn5]

I'm expecting 8 wins. It'll be good not great. Less than that and I'll be really unhappy. That is all based on my expectation of inconsistency/inexperience at QB, plus the unknowns of the defense. I feel like our defense will be better, but that bar is pretty low based on last year. We are looking at possibly having an avg/above avg offense and an avg/above avg defense. I'm seeing 8 wins if we beat Auburn, then 4 games where we will be underdogs. 3 of those games are at home, but Texas is going to be a huge long shot, even at home. A&M on the road is going to be really tough too, especially if both teams are sitting at 7-2 or 8-1. If we can split Bama and LSU at home, I'd be really happy with 9 wins.

If our QB play or defense is better than expected, we could win 9 or 10, even with a really hard schedule. The flip side is that we could just as easily drop one or two between South Carolina, Vandy, GT, or Auburn. If we lose to Arkansas I'm done.

I guess what I'm saying is that this is pointless. We will win somewhere between 6 and 10 games. There it is.

 

[Teeman]

Ory Williams may start at RT and Perry RG, but I see your point. I trust Rodney Garner with the DL and there’s experience in the secondary. My biggest concern by far is QB. Strictly because of inexperience and depth.

 

[Carp]

I'm expecting 8 wins. It'll be good not great. Less than that and I'll be really unhappy. That is all based on my expectation of inconsistency/inexperience at QB, plus the unknowns of the defense. I feel like our defense will be better, but that bar is pretty low based on last year. We are looking at possibly having an avg/above avg offense and an avg/above avg defense. I'm seeing 8 wins if we beat Auburn, then 4 games where we will be underdogs. 3 of those games are at home, but Texas is going to be a huge long shot, even at home. A&M on the road is going to be really tough too, especially if both teams are sitting at 7-2 or 8-1. If we can split Bama and LSU at home, I'd be really happy with 9 wins.

If our QB play or defense is better than expected, we could win 9 or 10, even with a really hard schedule. The flip side is that we could just as easily drop one or two between South Carolina, Vandy, GT, or Auburn. If we lose to Arkansas I'm done.

I guess what I'm saying is that this is pointless. We will win somewhere between 6 and 10 games. There it is.

Anything could happen, but Vandy's O/U is 5.5 wins for a reason. They won 2 games the year before Pavia arrived and only 7 games the first year he was there. And he was the best QB their sorry school has ever seen.

I would be surprised if they are bowl eligible this year, even with a pretty favorable schedule.

 

[SayUWantAreVOLution]

The defense should be greatly improved. That shouldn't be a surprise give how poor the unit was last year. They may not be a top 5 unit in the SEC, but they should be in the top half of the conference and top half in the country.

The offense will probably look more like 2024. A strong emphasis on running the ball and minimizing turnovers. A lot of designed QB runs with Faizon. While that is bit boring after the high flying offense from last year, it should allow us to control the game a bit better. Fortunately, the offense is designed so that almost any QB with a some talent can succeed. Nico is proof of that. I also like the depth at RB much better than last year.

Final verdict: 9-3 in the regular season with losses to both Texas teams and splitting LSU/Bama. CFP bubble team.

Texas will be a big early test and a good look at what we've got at QB.

Muschamp is tricky and he'll do everything he can to rattle a young QB with new looks, disguised blitz formations, rotating coverage, etc.

We'd better be solid up front and ready to run on TX because our young QB is going to need a little more time to process what he's seeing if we're looking to pass.

My hope is that our QB doesn't have a tough first SEC start and have a hard time after that.

 

[bpalmer28]

When I look at this list/roster. I ask myself, which of these guys will be playing on Sundays? Scary answer is: None of these guys are sure bet Sunday talent. Bump that against the schedule we play, and the outlook quickly becomes grim.

"sure bet" is the key word in your statement, but I'd put money on a bet that at least 9 guys on this list will be in the NFL.

 

[Volpatine]

Some people just live to troll. OP is trying to be positive and some replies just can’t live in that world…I for one am very excited…a team full of unknowns are sometimes the best teams!

 

[bpalmer28]

"sure bet" is the key word in your statement, but I'd put money on a bet that at least 9 guys on this list will be in the NFL.

Faizon, Bishop, Staley, Keys, Davis, Sanders Jr., Pendleton, Haslam, Hobbs, Carter, and Perlotte are going pro IMO. Moe, Mathews, Smith Jr., Giliam, Metcalf, Lee, Redmond, and Ross among others have a chance as well. Plus he untapped talent we haven't seen much of yet - Morris, Brame, Osenda, Harmon, White, Rouse... lack of NFL talent is definitely NOT something I'm concerned about.

 

[GBO2011]

We have a high ceiling, and a higher floor than we would have under other coaches. I think we’ll be closer to our floor which I think is 6-6. But with our talent I think we have a ceiling of 10-2 or 11-1. If everybody works their ass off on their own time, and outside of practice. It will pay dividends on the field.

 

[LouderVol]

SEC going to 9 games is rough for everyone. I have seen a couple odds makers that don't have any SEC winning 10 games this year.

 

[BruisedOrange]

I think they look like a 5-7 team.

Boo!

Yes, a light-hearted Boo! at GrayWaterCanine.

But I'm placing my bet right now that he also has the most enjoyable football season as a Vol fan this year!
(IF... he can hold up/down against the annual July-August media bombardment of Hopium radiation emanating from camp.)

Hang on to those unexceptional dreams, GWC, and yours will be a season of surpassing delights!