London Vol
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SEASON 2025: GRADES
I have personally been asked to write a report not on an individual game but on the 2025 season overall, so please blame them if you are suffering from ‘A View from Big Ben fatigue’. To help me base the grades below I have tried to take into account what my expectations were back in August for each unit as well as some individuals and then finally record a quick view for the 2026 season.
QUARTERBACKS A -
2025 - Just try and remember the chaos caused by the “Drama in Pyjamas” and that the name Joey Aguilar was far from the top of the replacement list. Add this to problems of understanding the playbook for anyone arriving after Spring Practice, it was safe to say most fair-minded fans had a generous amount scepticism that this season might be a write off. Well, “Joey football” exceeded almost everybody’s expectations with 3,565 yards 24 TDs and 10 INTs (I bet UCLA fans would have salivated for those numbers this season). It must be said that his performances reduced as the season progressed, maybe the film on him was out, maybe the competition got harder, maybe his health issues were a bigger issue that was broadcast ( I wish you all the best Joey) but Joey Aguilars name will bring a smile to me whenever I hear it.
2026 – Yet again we are left in limbo awaiting an NCAA ruling on eligibility on Aguilar and I’m not sure Leavitt, Pribula and others are the answer when we have two blue chippers already here, so back Heupel’s judgment and develop one please.
RUNNING BACKS B +
2025 – Tennessee have had some of the best RBs Tennessee have had for years so I expected a downturn in production, but that was because I continue to underestimate DeSean Bishop. He produced 1,076 yards at 5.9 y.p.c. and 16 TDs. Star Thomas was a useful addition, especially as Peyton Lewis did not develop to the extent I thought he would.
2026 – I am shocked that Bishop still has multiple years left and he looks like being the bell cow runner next season. Daune Morris showed promise, but I expect an experienced RB to arrive from the Portal to create the usual three headed monster.
WIDE RECEIVERS B +
2025 - When you have three WRs posting 1,017 yards (Chris Brazzell), 837 yards (Braylon Staley), and 813 yards (Mike Matthews) this was a good season from this unit. But there were also a number of drops, so it’s not A from me. Staley was a pleasant surprise as well as Brazzell becoming much more reliable in his second year (similar to Dante Thornton), but I still think Matthews has not got close to his potential yet.
2026 – We only lose Brazzell and we get the No 1 WR from the signing class in Tristen Keys so as long as the QB situation is OK then it should be another stellar year here.
TIGHT ENDS C -
2025 - Another season of above average blocking and below average catch production, so it’s a so so year for me. Miles Kitselman again was TE1 and the first statement describes him very well. Just as I was giving up hope on Ethan Davis breaking out, he suddenly breaks out, then, yes you have guessed it, he disappeared again.
2026 - Ethan Davis must finally develop otherwise it will be same again, although Dasaahn Brame and Jack Dorselaer both look useful but neither will be mistaken for the next Tyler Warren, Brock Bowers or Courtland Loveland.
OFFENSIVE LINE B -
2025 - With the bookends of Lance Heard and David Sanders I thought the O`Line might be our best group and for a while it seemed that way, but as the season progressed this lot regressed and so because of the high hopes, I was slightly disappointed overall. One person that did buck the trend and improve during the season was Sam Pendleton at Center, this was meant to be William Satterwhite’s job so we were lucky Pendleton stepped up to the plate or the Centre to more accurate.
2026 – Tennessee were always going to have to choose who is Left Tackle between Heard and Sanders with the other likely to leave and so it proved. But only replacing one Lineman should be good news next year and Gabriel Osenda is a very interesting addition.
DEFENSIVE LINE D
2025 – With so many Defensive Linemen leaving we always looked shorthanded and as stoically as Bryson Eason and Dominic Bailey played, it was a quite porous Defensive Line unlike in recent seasons. Unusually we became “soft” up the middle which showed up against Syracuse and was still sowing by the time the Music Bowl came around. Sometimes it is better that there is a complete meltdown as it stops apologists and forces a complete reset and Jim Knowles is a great reset.
2026 – The new signings from Penn State look really promising and lets hope the improvement will be quick. I also hope for Sophomore surges from Ethan Utley and Isiah Campbell to add depth to this department which is usually Rodney Garners calling card.
LINEBACKERS E
2025 – seemed chaotic to me. Arion Carter had a good enough season to get drafted maybe on day 2 despite suffering double turf toe (no menial injury), the performance of Edwin Spillman, who became a decent Linebacker and some promising moments from Jadon Perlotte were the good news. Yet this seemed to be a bad year for this unit. It is not fair or accurate to blame it all on Jeremiah Telander as he is an honest player but it is fair to say in this system he was found wanting in numerous ways.
2026 – Amare Campbell looks like a “Daniel Bituli” Middle Linebacker and I am hopeful that paired with Spillman, and more importantly better coaching and schemes , we could see a big improvement, we certainly need it.
DEFENSIVE BACKS E
2025 – Kudos to Coach Martinez who for the second season found a diamond in the rough with Colton Hood (last year Jermod McCoy), both these two are projected to go in the 1st Round in April. We also had the emergence of Ty Redmond who won national honours. But the rest of the DBs (apart from on occasions Jalen McMurray) simply were not up to the task.
2026 – Redmond will be a “cornerstone” of the cornerbacks and there is lots of help on its way so it will be interesting to see if Tennessee can be good again in the last line of defence.
BIG MOMENTS – 3 PLAYS THREE LOSSES
2025 - Missed last kick field goal from 39 yards to beat Georgia
Sack, fumble and 70-yard scoop and score by a DL when we had Oklahoma on the ropes
Last play of the 1st half against Alabama it’s a 99-yard pick six
When you revisit these three moments 8-4 could so easily have been 11-1. No, I don’t think we were even close to being that good, but each of those three moments were huge.
2026 - I have high hopes that Jim Knowles will considerably improve the Defence especially that he brought with him four important pieces that will not only improve the ‘D’ but also teach fellow teammates the new scheme. If I’m right about Knowles then we will no longer need to score 40 points to have a chance of winning, so let George McIntyre and Faizon Brandon compete for QB1 and the winner take his Freshman lumps next season, I know we have TEX, ALA, KEN, AUB and LSU in Knoxville in 2026 but remember in 2027 we are away to all of these and do you really want an inexperienced QB for that gauntlet?
GO VOLS
I have personally been asked to write a report not on an individual game but on the 2025 season overall, so please blame them if you are suffering from ‘A View from Big Ben fatigue’. To help me base the grades below I have tried to take into account what my expectations were back in August for each unit as well as some individuals and then finally record a quick view for the 2026 season.
QUARTERBACKS A -
2025 - Just try and remember the chaos caused by the “Drama in Pyjamas” and that the name Joey Aguilar was far from the top of the replacement list. Add this to problems of understanding the playbook for anyone arriving after Spring Practice, it was safe to say most fair-minded fans had a generous amount scepticism that this season might be a write off. Well, “Joey football” exceeded almost everybody’s expectations with 3,565 yards 24 TDs and 10 INTs (I bet UCLA fans would have salivated for those numbers this season). It must be said that his performances reduced as the season progressed, maybe the film on him was out, maybe the competition got harder, maybe his health issues were a bigger issue that was broadcast ( I wish you all the best Joey) but Joey Aguilars name will bring a smile to me whenever I hear it.
2026 – Yet again we are left in limbo awaiting an NCAA ruling on eligibility on Aguilar and I’m not sure Leavitt, Pribula and others are the answer when we have two blue chippers already here, so back Heupel’s judgment and develop one please.
RUNNING BACKS B +
2025 – Tennessee have had some of the best RBs Tennessee have had for years so I expected a downturn in production, but that was because I continue to underestimate DeSean Bishop. He produced 1,076 yards at 5.9 y.p.c. and 16 TDs. Star Thomas was a useful addition, especially as Peyton Lewis did not develop to the extent I thought he would.
2026 – I am shocked that Bishop still has multiple years left and he looks like being the bell cow runner next season. Daune Morris showed promise, but I expect an experienced RB to arrive from the Portal to create the usual three headed monster.
WIDE RECEIVERS B +
2025 - When you have three WRs posting 1,017 yards (Chris Brazzell), 837 yards (Braylon Staley), and 813 yards (Mike Matthews) this was a good season from this unit. But there were also a number of drops, so it’s not A from me. Staley was a pleasant surprise as well as Brazzell becoming much more reliable in his second year (similar to Dante Thornton), but I still think Matthews has not got close to his potential yet.
2026 – We only lose Brazzell and we get the No 1 WR from the signing class in Tristen Keys so as long as the QB situation is OK then it should be another stellar year here.
TIGHT ENDS C -
2025 - Another season of above average blocking and below average catch production, so it’s a so so year for me. Miles Kitselman again was TE1 and the first statement describes him very well. Just as I was giving up hope on Ethan Davis breaking out, he suddenly breaks out, then, yes you have guessed it, he disappeared again.
2026 - Ethan Davis must finally develop otherwise it will be same again, although Dasaahn Brame and Jack Dorselaer both look useful but neither will be mistaken for the next Tyler Warren, Brock Bowers or Courtland Loveland.
OFFENSIVE LINE B -
2025 - With the bookends of Lance Heard and David Sanders I thought the O`Line might be our best group and for a while it seemed that way, but as the season progressed this lot regressed and so because of the high hopes, I was slightly disappointed overall. One person that did buck the trend and improve during the season was Sam Pendleton at Center, this was meant to be William Satterwhite’s job so we were lucky Pendleton stepped up to the plate or the Centre to more accurate.
2026 – Tennessee were always going to have to choose who is Left Tackle between Heard and Sanders with the other likely to leave and so it proved. But only replacing one Lineman should be good news next year and Gabriel Osenda is a very interesting addition.
DEFENSIVE LINE D
2025 – With so many Defensive Linemen leaving we always looked shorthanded and as stoically as Bryson Eason and Dominic Bailey played, it was a quite porous Defensive Line unlike in recent seasons. Unusually we became “soft” up the middle which showed up against Syracuse and was still sowing by the time the Music Bowl came around. Sometimes it is better that there is a complete meltdown as it stops apologists and forces a complete reset and Jim Knowles is a great reset.
2026 – The new signings from Penn State look really promising and lets hope the improvement will be quick. I also hope for Sophomore surges from Ethan Utley and Isiah Campbell to add depth to this department which is usually Rodney Garners calling card.
LINEBACKERS E
2025 – seemed chaotic to me. Arion Carter had a good enough season to get drafted maybe on day 2 despite suffering double turf toe (no menial injury), the performance of Edwin Spillman, who became a decent Linebacker and some promising moments from Jadon Perlotte were the good news. Yet this seemed to be a bad year for this unit. It is not fair or accurate to blame it all on Jeremiah Telander as he is an honest player but it is fair to say in this system he was found wanting in numerous ways.
2026 – Amare Campbell looks like a “Daniel Bituli” Middle Linebacker and I am hopeful that paired with Spillman, and more importantly better coaching and schemes , we could see a big improvement, we certainly need it.
DEFENSIVE BACKS E
2025 – Kudos to Coach Martinez who for the second season found a diamond in the rough with Colton Hood (last year Jermod McCoy), both these two are projected to go in the 1st Round in April. We also had the emergence of Ty Redmond who won national honours. But the rest of the DBs (apart from on occasions Jalen McMurray) simply were not up to the task.
2026 – Redmond will be a “cornerstone” of the cornerbacks and there is lots of help on its way so it will be interesting to see if Tennessee can be good again in the last line of defence.
BIG MOMENTS – 3 PLAYS THREE LOSSES
2025 - Missed last kick field goal from 39 yards to beat Georgia
Sack, fumble and 70-yard scoop and score by a DL when we had Oklahoma on the ropes
Last play of the 1st half against Alabama it’s a 99-yard pick six
When you revisit these three moments 8-4 could so easily have been 11-1. No, I don’t think we were even close to being that good, but each of those three moments were huge.
2026 - I have high hopes that Jim Knowles will considerably improve the Defence especially that he brought with him four important pieces that will not only improve the ‘D’ but also teach fellow teammates the new scheme. If I’m right about Knowles then we will no longer need to score 40 points to have a chance of winning, so let George McIntyre and Faizon Brandon compete for QB1 and the winner take his Freshman lumps next season, I know we have TEX, ALA, KEN, AUB and LSU in Knoxville in 2026 but remember in 2027 we are away to all of these and do you really want an inexperienced QB for that gauntlet?
GO VOLS
