CFB analyst has gloomy outlook for Vols 2025 season

Now that spring football has wrapped up for the Tennessee football team, everyone is now going to have to wait for fall camp to get here. With Nico Iamaleava leaving Knoxville and on his way to the UCLA Bruins, what can everyone expect from this team in 2025?

There are some key pieces back and Heupel has been able to land quality talent via the transfer portal. However, losing Iamaleava no question is going to sting for this team. Dylan Sampson and James Pearce Jr. getting drafted and not returning will hurt too. Will all of that result in the Vols missing out on the College Football Playoff after making it in 2024? Unfortunately, that’s what the one and only David Pollack thinks is going to happen.

David Pollack thinks the Tennessee Vols are going to miss out on the CFP next season

“I don’t think Tennessee’s roster as constructed is going to get back to the playoffs,” Pollack said via Athlon Sports. “I don’t. Like, last year that defense was freaking good man. Like, so good. I don’t think they’ll be at that level because they’re losing some depth and key pieces. Offensively, they are losing their best player at running back.”

Few people can argue with the fact that Sampson was Tennessee’s best player in 2024. He put up video game-type numbers, rushing for 1,491 yards and 22 touchdowns, and took home SEC Offensive Player of the Year honors. Sampson has since been drafted by the Cleveland Browns.

Pearce was a first-round pick, getting swooped up late on Thursday night by the Atlanta Falcons. Add in the fact that Iamaleava is going to be replaced by Joey Aguilar and there are a lot of question marks for this squad. Aguilar is a talented QB, but there’s no question a drop off there from Nico.

Heupel and his coaches are going to be working overtime to keep the team focused, though, and have things humming once practices get going again this summer. The hope is that superstar cornerback Jermod McCoy (knee injury) can get healthy ASAP too. Tennessee has key pieces to make noise in the SEC next year, but a lot of people think Heupel and Co. will be taking a step back this fall, which is disappointing.