The 2025 Tennessee football roster appears to be set or very close to completion.
UT can still add players from the spring transfer portal, and it may snag one more. But there are few quality players available, and the portal is closed to new ones entering it.
The Vols have lost six players during the spring portal and added three.
There are 79 scholarship players projected for the 2025 roster, including only nine scholarship seniors. The 2024 team had 15 scholarship seniors, not including walk-on starters Will Brooks and Matthew Salansky.
That means there’s plenty of young, inexperienced players on the 2025 roster, which makes position competitions interesting.
Here is a projected depth chart as the spring portal activity slows.
Tennessee football 2025 projected depth chart
Quarterbacks
Joey Aguilar or Jake Merklinger | George MacIntyre
This is a legitimate competition. Merklinger has steadily progressed to be a quality backup, which was supposed to be his role until Nico Iamaleava bolted to UCLA. His readiness to start is uncertain, which is why UT sought established starters in the portal.
Aguilar, a UCLA transfer, was a star player at Appalachian State. But he was sometimes too careless in terms of interceptions. He could be effective at the SEC level or over his head. Time will tell. First, he must learn the offense quickly.
MacIntyre has a bright future. But if he’s needed as a 2025 starter, things have gone south for Aguilar and Merklinger.
Running backs
Peyton Lewis or DeSean Bishop | Star Thomas
Neither Lewis nor Bishop can fill the shoes of Dylan Sampson, the 2024 SEC Offensive Player of the Year. But coach Josh Heupel’s offense always produces in the ground game, and this duo could be up to the task.
However, a third running back must pan out – either Thomas, a Duke transfer, or a freshman – for this backfield to be a strength rather than a weakness.
Wide receivers
Mike Matthews | Travis Smith
Braylon Staley | Amari Jefferson | Joakim Dodson
Chris Brazzell | Radarious Jackson
UT wasn’t aggressive enough in the winter transfer portal, and it has struck out so far in trying to land a receiver in the spring portal. The Vols are still looking.
There are reasons for optimism. Matthews has five-star talent. Staley has flashed in practice. Brazzell should improve in his second year in the system. But only orange-colored glasses can hide the concerns in this thin, inexperienced group.
Tight ends
Miles Kitselman (injured) | Ethan Davis | Cole Harrison or DaSaahn Brame or Jack Van Dorselaer
Kitselman is among the SEC’s best returning tight ends, but he must recover from a pectoral injury in spring.
Davis is an athletic pass-catcher who hasn’t mastered in-line blocking yet. UT must accentuate what he does best, or Davis must expand his skillset. Either way, it looks like a make-or-break season for him.
Don’t be shocked if Brame or Van Dorselaer get into the mix as freshmen.
Offensive line
LT – Lance Heard | Bennett Warren
LG – Wendell Moe | Jesse Perry
C – William Satterwhite | Max Anderson
RG – Sam Pendleton | Shamurad Umarov
RT – David Sanders | Jesse Perry
Heard is the only returning starter, but things aren’t that bleak up front. Moe (Arizona) and Pendleton (Notre Dame) were strong portal pickups. Sanders was the No. 1 tackle in the 2025 class, and he must learn on the job as a freshman.
Center is a critical position, whether redshirt freshman Satterwhite can fill it or Pendleton must slide there. Perry steps into Dayne Davis’ former utility role. Perry could start at guard or be the primary backup at either guard or tackle spot.
Defensive line
DE – Dominic Bailey | Tyre West | Tyree Weathersby
DT – Jaxson Moi | Daevin Hobbs | Josh Schell
DT – Bryson Eason | Nathan Robinson or Jamal Wallace (injured)
EDGE – Joshua Josephs | Caleb Herring | Jordan Ross
There are only concerns about this group when compared to the 2024 unit, the deepest defensive line rotation in college football.
But Eason and Josephs are potential All-SEC players. Bailey is a returning starter. And some talented young players have waited their turn.
Injuries could be an issue after numerous interior linemen missed spring. Defensive ends may need to slide inside, or freshmen could be called upon.
Linebackers
MLB – Jeremiah Telander | Edwin Spillman
WLB – Arion Carter | Jordan Burns | Freshman TBD
Carter must stay healthy and play consistently. Telander must improve his play outside the tackle box. Spillman must step forward after missing most of the 2024 season due to injury. If all that happens, this is a strong group.
But depth is still a big question. At least five linebackers will probably be needed by season’s end, which means a freshman or walk-on gets into the mix.
Secondary
CB – Jermod McCoy (injured) or Jalen McMurray | Marcus Goree
CB – Rickey Gibson | Colton Hood
STAR – Boo Carter | Dylan Lewis or TBD
S – Andre Turrentine | Jackson Mathews
S – Edrees Farooq or Kaleb Beasley
McCoy was a 2024 All-American. But he’s rehabbing a torn ACL that could sideline him for at least an early portion of the season. Carter is a potential All-SEC player. Gibson and Turrentine are returning starters.
But the spring portal poached UT’s defensive secondary of depth. Veteran Jalen McMurray could be among the defense’s key players because he may start in McCoy’s cornerback spot or spell Carter at nickelback.
Hood, a Colorado transfer, could calm concerns if he can contribute at cornerback. But coaches hope any of five freshmen are ready to play immediately.
Specialists
P – Jackson Ross
PK – Max Gilbert
LS – Bennett Brady
KO – Josh Turbyville
KR – Peyton Lewis or TBD
PR – Boo Carter
This is the strongest returning unit on the team. Ross, Gilbert and Carter will be preseason All-SEC candidates. Brady takes over for Salansky at long snapper.
Adam Sparks is the Tennessee football beat reporter. Email adam.sparks@knoxnews.com. X, formerly known as Twitter@AdamSparks. Support strong local journalism by subscribing at knoxnews.com/subscribe.
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