A lot has unfolded around the Tennessee football program over the last few weeks. Quarterback Nico Iamaleava left the program and transferred to UCLA and immediately after Tennessee signed UCLA quarterback Joey Aguilar out of the portal.

It has created some questions around the program but more specifically questions around just how good Tennessee will be this season. According to college football analyst David Pollack, his expectations are not very high for the Volunteers this season.

“I don’t think Tennessee’s roster as constructed is going to get back to the playoffs,” Pollack said on his podcast. “I don’t. Like, last year that defense was freaking good man. Like, so good. I don’t think they’ll be at that level because they’re losing some depth and key pieces. Offensively, they are losing their best player at running back.”

The player Pollack is referring to at the end of that quote is running back Dylan Sampson, who was just selected in the fourth round by the Cleveland Browns.

Needless to say, it’s setting up to be an interesting season for the Tennessee Volunteers and it appears people are already bailing on them for the 2025 college football season.

The Tennessee Volunteers football program has experienced a rollercoaster of highs and lows in recent years. Under head coach Josh Heupel, there was a resurgence that brought excitement back to Neyland Stadium. However, recent analysis suggests that the Vols might be facing significant challenges that could hinder their quest to return to College Football Playoff contention.

According to a prominent college football analyst, doubts are surfacing about Tennessee’s ability to remain competitive at the highest level. Key concerns include recruiting, player development, and the overall trajectory of the program. In a landscape where elite teams are constantly refining their rosters and strategies, the argument posits that the Vols may be falling behind their rivals.

One of the primary issues is the volatility of college football recruiting. The recruiting landscape has become increasingly competitive, with top-tier programs vying for the same pool of elite prospects. While the Vols have had some success in attracting talent, the concern is that they are not consistently landing the top-tier prospects necessary to compete with the likes of Alabama, Georgia, and Ohio State. The gap in talent among these elite programs is widening, and the analyst argues that the Vols may struggle to close that gap in the coming seasons.