Tennessee football hasn't had the best offseason with some key losses to the transfer portal and NFL, but that doesn't mean Josh Heupel hasn't retooled the roster to remain competitive this fall.
ESPN writers Eli Lederman, Max Olson, and Adam Rittenberg ranked each Power 4 program's offseason, and Tennessee's ranking was one of the worst in the SEC.
The rankings comprised three key measurements: retention of key (non-draft-eligible) players, retention of key coaches or staff upgrades, and player additions, primarily through the transfer portal and high school recruits.
ESPN goes on to note that success in the transfer portal might not equate to a great offseason or offseason ranking, so it is important to rank high in each category.
The Vols were ranked No. 14 in the SEC out of 16 teams in ESPN's offseason rankings, ahead of only Arkansas and Mississippi State.
Tennessee lost a few key players, which is likely why their ranking is so low. Between quarterback Nico Iamaleava leaving in the transfer portal and running back Dylan Sampson and edge rusher James Pearce Jr. leaving for the NFL, the Vols lost a lot of key production from last season.
Those three are listed as key departures, which heavily outweighs Tennessee's key additions of quarterback Joey Aguilar, running back Star Thomas, and offensive guard Wendell Moe Jr., and top incoming recruits offensive lineman David Sanders, defensive tackle Isaiah Campbell, and quarterback George MacIntyre.
ESPN's writers broke down what went right and what went wrong for Tennessee during the offseason, most notably mentioning Iamaleava's departure as the biggest factor in Tennessee's ranking.
"What went wrong: The Vols entered 2025 prepared to build on the program's first-ever CFP appearance behind Nico Iamaleava, the former top quarterback recruit who appeared poised to take another jump in his second season as starter," ESPN writes. "Circumstances aside, Iamaleava's late-spring departure for UCLA was a worst-case scenario for Tennessee's 2025 season.
"The Vols made a solid recovery in the quarterback "swap" with UCLA transfer and former Appalachian State passer Joey Aguilar, but the Iamaleava saga marked a disastrous ending to an otherwise quiet offseason that saw Tennessee's biggest losses come in the NFL draft."
"What went right: Landing Aguilar, it should be reiterated, was a major boon for the Vols, considering the timing of Iamaleava's exit," ESPN writes. "However, if Iamaleava's accuracy and reading of defenses was a problem at times, Aguilar -- who completed 55.9% of his passes and threw 14 picks in 2024 -- might not be a perfect solution.
"Filling the shoes of 2024 SEC rushing yards and touchdown leader Dylan Sampson won't be simple, but Tennessee should have healthy competition at the position between returners DeSean Bishop and Peyton Lewis and Thomas (871 rushing yards, seven touchdowns in 2024 at Duke). The addition of Moe, a 27-game starter in three seasons at Arizona, could prove especially important if the Vols go with Sanders, a five-star freshman at right tackle."
Tennessee has a lot of work to do to get back to College Football Playoff contention after making its first appearance in the championship tournament since its inception in 2014.
The Vols are coming off their second ten-win season in three years and will have to revamp their offense with another first-year quarterback taking over the system, no matter who they choose to lead Tennessee's offense this fall.