Tennessee Football Kickoff: Get Ready!

Tennessee Football has just dropped its much-anticipated first depth chart for the 2025 season, just in time for their season opener against Syracuse at the Aflac Kickoff Game this Saturday at noon ET in Atlanta's Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Quarterback Showdown!

In a thrilling conclusion to the preseason quarterback battle, Joey Aguilar has been named the starter. Aguilar previously dazzled as a quarterback at Appalachian State, amassing 6,760 passing yards and 56 touchdowns over two seasons, making him a formidable choice to lead the Vols.

Challenging him are redshirt freshman Jake Merklinger, who showcased his potential last season with 48 passing yards, and four-star freshman George MacIntyre, one of the top recruits in Tennessee's 2025 class.

Dynamic Running Back Duo!

Tennessee's backfield is poised for excitement with DeSean Bishop, last year's leading rusher who tallied 455 yards and three touchdowns. He will be joined by the impressive Star Thomas, a Duke transfer, who rushed for 810 yards and seven touchdowns last season.

Peyton Lewis adds depth after solid performance as well, making for a perfectly packed running attack.

Wide Receiver Revamp!

After losing their top three wide receivers, the Vols are starting anew. Redshirt junior Chris Brazzell II leads the fresh lineup, and with up-and-coming talent like sophomore Mike Matthews and Alabama transfer Amari Jefferson, fans should expect some electrifying plays downfield.

Rebuilding the Offensive Line!

The offensive line faces a major overhaul with the departure of four starters. Lance Heard is the lone returning anchor at left tackle, but five-star freshman David Sanders Jr. is set to make a splash along with transfers like Pendleton from Notre Dame.

Strong Defense in the Works!

On defense, Arion Carter, last season's tackling leader with 68 stops, returns alongside Joshua Josephs and Bryson Eason, both of whom are known for their ability to disrupt the opponent's backfield.

Special Teams Standouts!

Special teams also shows promise with Boo Carter leading the charge as a dynamic punt returner and Max Gilbert showing reliability as a field goal kicker, completing a commendable 20 out of 26 attempts.

As the Vols gear up for their first game, fans can anticipate a season filled with action and excitement!