With SEC Media Days less than a week away, teams in the conference are starting to announce which players will be joining their head coaches in Atlanta to discuss all things college football and the upcoming season.
This summer, Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel will be joined by senior defensive lineman Bryan Eason, senior tight end Miles Kitselman, and junior linebacker Arion Carter.
With the drama and uncertainty that Nico Iamaleava's departure created for the Volunteers' offense, it isn't all that surprising that minimal offensive team members are going to be present in Atlanta. However, the lack of a quarterback and the presence of two veteran defensive players might just reveal what to expect from the Vols this season.
Almost time to talk 🏈 in Atlanta
— Tennessee Football (@Vol_Football) July 8, 2025
Arion, Bryson, and Miles (+ Coach Heup) will represent us at #SECMD25#GBO 🍊 pic.twitter.com/X1b5I3esXC
Over the last few years, Tennessee has transformed itself into an offensive powerhouse, putting up point totals in the 60s and 70s a handful of times a season. However, with an almost entirely new offensive front, the Vols might not be the same high-scoring team we've grown used to.
Last season, the Volunteers amassed 57 total touchdowns, averaging nearly 36 points per game as they lost just three games. Just two seasons earlier, Tennessee averaged a jaw-dropping 46.1 points per game, earning 79 total touchdowns.
Who is going to be Tennessee's starting quarterback in 2025?
More likely than not, senior transfer quarterback Joey Aguilar, who came from Appalachian State, will be the first quarterback to step onto the field for the Vols. Last season, he earned 3,003 passing yards for 23 touchdowns for the Mountaineers, as well as 207 rushing yards for two touchdowns on the ground.
Playing the supporting roles, redshirt freshman Jake Merklinger and true freshman George MacIntyre might step into games earlier in the season or when Tennessee has an insurmountable lead over its opponent.
With such new faces leading the offense, Heupel decided to bring one of his most reliable offensive stars to the SEC Media Days this year, in the form of Kitselman.