Tennessee Vols are nearing the close of spring ball, as they wrapped up their second scrimmage. Some key players have moved on to the draft, leaving the space open for younger talent to shine. HC Josh Heupel’s graph at Knoxville has some bumps in it, but he’d be looking to improve from his good finish of 10-3 from last year. Some troubles with the roster could dampen Heupel’s hopes. The offense, in particular, took a few hits too harshly.

Heupel came back strong in 2024 from 2023. Star quarterback Nico Iamaleava made waves, leading the Vols to their first-ever playoffs. But the offense in general could not perform up to the mark. Pass protection was a key area that needed control. The Vols also had the most sacks in the SEC that season, totaling 30. In 2025, he hopes to correct its flaws and address them from spring practice itself. However, the roster is currently missing some players from the O-line already due to injuries. The defense, which put up an aggressive front and made some great wins, is also looking at some downed players.

Spring scrimmages continue to show how the team looks as they advance towards the season. But when problematic rooms lose players to injury, it becomes a nagging problem. At a presser after the second scrimmage, Josh Heupel was asked about the injuries and challenges of scrimmaging, and how he structures it to get the best possible results. He said, “The game hasn’t changed. You gotta be physical, you gotta play with alignment and technique. You gotta play assignment sound. So we’ve tried to balance that throughout the course of spring.” The injuries currently plaguing Vols vary in degree of severity, with a few still not knowing when they’ll return.

Among the injured players, the latest to join was Miles Kitselman, who suffered a pectoral injury. He was one of SEC’s best tight ends in 2024, producing 22 receptions for 301 yards and scoring 4 touchdowns. He will be out for the rest of spring ball. On the other hand, Jermod McCoy’s return to the field still doesn’t have a stipulated date. As spring practice nears its end in Knoxville, let’s hope Josh Heupel doesn’t lose any more players to season-threatening injuries.

Nico Iamaleava has some new WR options this season

Nico Iamaleava will hope to continue his brilliance in 2025 as well. However, that won’t happen with a solid WR room to back him up on the field. In the slew of players who left Knoxville, both to the NFL and to the portal, some key WRs were lost. There’s Dont’e Thornton Jr., who is one of the Vols’ leading receivers from last season. Squirrel White, Kaleb Webb, and more entered the portal. Heupel, however, has been training talents to make up for the losses.

Heupel said that Braylon Staley sat out, while Mike Matthews and Chris Brazzell II showed promise. He added, “They’ve been consistent in making plays day in and day out on the practice field. And for them, it’s just constant growth as far as within the scope of what we’re doing, the fundamentals and technique. [Learning] how to attack defenders, reading zone man, and ultimately getting on the same page with the quarterback.” Matthews has a lot of expectations to be the most talented WR out of the trio, being a 5-star prospect when he was recruited.

Again, the Vols’ offensive line was disappointing last season, with a poor passing game. Iamaleava, this season, will have to make a complete turnaround at his plays with WRs because the ones he got used to are no longer with the team. Matthews, despite being the most favored option, has an injury-riddled past. There are also three freshmen joining the camp: Travis Smith Jr., Radarious Jackson, and Joakim Dodson.

Both the talents are returnees for this season, just like Iamaleava. But they will take on bigger roles than before, no longer in the shadow of the guys who have now left. However, they’d also have to steer clear of injuries to be able to make it to that post. How will they turn out to complement the Vols QB on the field in the season? We’ll have to wait and watch.