Josh Heupel Must Confront Pressing Concerns About Tennessee’s Readiness and Expectations Ahead of 2025 SEC Media Days Appearance
As the college football world turns its focus to Nashville for the 2025 SEC Media Days, Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel finds himself walking into the most important offseason press conference of his tenure. Since taking the reins in Knoxville in 2021, Heupel has helped orchestrate a remarkable transformation of the Volunteers program—restoring energy, recruiting top-tier talent, and putting Tennessee back in the national conversation. But with progress comes pressure, and as the Vols prepare to take the next step, Heupel faces a barrage of questions from media, fans, and analysts alike.
Heupel enters SEC Media Days with his team at a crossroads. The Volunteers are coming off back-to-back solid seasons, including a 10-win campaign and a New Year’s Six bowl appearance. But they also fell short in some key games—especially against SEC powers like Georgia and Alabama—raising questions about whether Tennessee is merely good, or truly great. For a fanbase starving for a return to championship contention, the difference is everything. The tone of Media Days will likely reflect that growing tension.
The first challenge for Heupel will be addressing the expectations surrounding quarterback Nico Iamaleava. The former five-star recruit has been dubbed the future of Tennessee football since the day he signed, and now the spotlight is fully on him. After taking over the starting role late last season and flashing moments of brilliance, the pressure is on for Iamaleava to deliver a full season of high-level play. Reporters will undoubtedly press Heupel on whether his young quarterback is ready for the grind of an SEC schedule, and whether the offense can return to its 2022 explosiveness with him at the helm.
Heupel’s responses will be critical. He’s known for his calm demeanor and confidence in his players, but this season demands more than optimism. It demands clarity. Is Iamaleava ready? Does he have the weapons and protection to thrive? Can he stay healthy and consistent? These are the questions that will dominate headlines following Tennessee’s Media Days appearance, and Heupel will need to balance support with honesty.
Beyond the quarterback position, Heupel faces tough scrutiny on both sides of the ball—particularly with Tennessee’s defense. While last year showed improvements in pressure rate and red-zone defense, there were still glaring lapses against elite competition. The Vols gave up chunk plays at an alarming rate and struggled to get off the field on third down. Heading into 2025, the defensive unit is still under construction. While returning stars like James Pearce Jr. and Elijah Herring offer stability, the unit lacks the proven depth needed to survive a brutal SEC slate.
One major point of interest will be Tennessee’s defensive identity. Tim Banks returns as defensive coordinator, but many fans and pundits are watching closely to see if the scheme evolves. Tennessee has had success in spurts, but when it comes to facing high-powered offenses like Georgia, Texas, and Ole Miss, the unit has too often been outmatched. Heupel will likely be asked how much responsibility falls on the coaching staff versus personnel, and what’s being done to close the gap.
Recruiting will also be a major topic. Tennessee has made noise with several high-profile commitments, especially on the defensive side, but the Vols are still chasing consistency. They’ve yet to stack classes at the level of Georgia or Alabama, and while Heupel’s ability to develop talent is not in question, the overall depth of the roster is. Media members will want to know if Heupel believes his current class is good enough to build a championship core, or if Tennessee is still a year or two away from truly contending.
A tricky subplot Heupel will have to navigate is the impact of the transfer portal. Tennessee has lost several players to the portal over the last two years—some expected, others surprising. While the Vols have also brought in talent from other programs, the ongoing roster churn has made it difficult to establish long-term continuity. At Media Days, Heupel will be expected to provide insight into how Tennessee is managing the portal, what they’ve learned from the process, and whether the current roster feels stable enough to compete for an SEC title.
Another area likely to come under scrutiny is Tennessee’s offensive line play. Last season saw mixed results in pass protection and run blocking, and while there’s young talent in the pipeline, the unit’s chemistry and toughness are still in question. For an up-tempo offense like Heupel’s to succeed, it all starts up front. Reporters will be looking for specifics on position battles, projected starters, and whether Tennessee has found the right mix of size, experience, and physicality to protect Iamaleava and create running lanes for the backfield.
Speaking of the backfield, the running game could be another hot topic. With Jabari Small and Jaylen Wright both moving on, Heupel will be asked to identify who’s ready to take on the lead role. Cameron Seldon and Dylan Sampson offer intrigue and explosiveness, but neither has been a featured back for a full season. Tennessee’s run game has been a crucial part of Heupel’s offensive formula, and if the Vols want to keep defenses honest, they’ll need to establish consistency on the ground early in the season.
One wildcard that may catch attention is the state of special teams. Tennessee has been quietly solid in that department under Heupel, but with a new kicker and potential shakeups in the return game, questions remain. In the SEC, where close games are the norm, special teams execution can be the difference between a 9-win season and a playoff berth. Heupel will likely be asked about the confidence level in the specialists and whether Tennessee can maintain its edge in that phase of the game.
Heupel will also have to field broader questions about the evolving SEC landscape. With Texas and Oklahoma officially joining the conference in 2025, the SEC has never been deeper or more competitive. Tennessee’s schedule includes road trips to Oklahoma and Georgia, and home games against Alabama and Florida—meaning every week will test the team’s depth and resilience. Media Days will likely bring questions about the expanded conference, playoff format changes, and how Tennessee plans to survive what may be the toughest schedule in the country.
The noise surrounding NIL and recruiting infrastructure is impossible to ignore as well. Tennessee has made investments in its NIL program, but it’s still a high-stakes race to keep up with the Alabamas, Georgias, and Texases of the world. Reporters will want to know if Heupel believes Tennessee’s support structure is sufficient to retain talent and attract top-tier prospects. How the coach addresses those off-field dynamics could shape the public perception of Tennessee’s trajectory as much as anything related to X’s and O’s.
But perhaps the most important storyline heading into SEC Media Days is this: Is Tennessee ready to win the SEC East—and, eventually, the SEC title?
It’s the question fans have been asking for over a decade. Heupel has restored excitement to the program, delivered wins against traditional rivals, and raised the recruiting floor. But with Georgia still dominating and Alabama reloading, Tennessee has yet to truly break through. This year, with a potential breakout quarterback and a more seasoned roster, feels like a tipping point. Media Days will be the place where Heupel either embraces that pressure or deflects it.
How he handles the moment—how he communicates confidence without sounding complacent, how he sets expectations without overpromising—will matter. Tennessee fans are more educated and engaged than ever. They know the team is close. They just want to hear their coach say it—and mean it.
As SEC Media Days begin, all eyes will be on Josh Heupel. His message, demeanor, and transparency will shape the narrative heading into fall camp. If he handles the tough questions with the same boldness that’s defined his offense, the Vols could be on the verge of something special. If not, the noise will only grow louder.
For now, Tennessee stands at the edge of possibility. Media Days won’t win or lose any games. But it will set the tone—and for a program chasing greatness, tone means everything.
