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Tennessee football: Five questions for Josh Heupel at 2022 SEC Media Days

By Caleb Calhoun

Sep 18, 2021; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers head coach Josh Heupel on the field before the game against the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bryan Lynn-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 18, 2021; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers head coach Josh Heupel on the field before the game against the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bryan Lynn-USA TODAY Sports /
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Smokey and the Volunteer celebrate a touchdown during a NCAA football game against Tennessee Tech at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021.Kns Tennessee Tenn Tech Football
Smokey and the Volunteer celebrate a touchdown during a NCAA football game against Tennessee Tech at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021.Kns Tennessee Tenn Tech Football /

2. How are NIL deals impacting recruiting?

Name image and likeness has changed recruiting in numerous ways. Add in the transfer portal, and the entire sport of recruiting is dramatically different than it was just three years ago. Tennessee football appears to be one of the schools benefitting from these new rulings.

Josh Heupel was meticulous in the transfer portal this past year, adding key guys at positions of need. However, the real story is how NIL has been affecting the Vols, as they seem to be benefitting much more from it than most programs. There’s a reason Heupel hasn’t raised concerns with it that other coaches have.

The rumors of five-star 2022 quarterback commit Nico Iamaleava being worth $8 million on Rocky Top are swirling around the program, and the Vols have one of the five most ambitious NIL collectives. It’s clear they got out in front of this, and they are benefitting.

How does Heupel feel about all of this though, and how is he using it to his advantage? Honestly, if he’s gutsy, he should just come out and say UT is throwing money at lots of players and doesn’t care and that this is the way it should be. Mention other recruiting advantages other schools have. He probably won’t say that, but he could cloak it in better terms.

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