Tennessee football: 10 burning questions as Vols head into offseason
What a season it was for the Tennessee Volunteers football program.
The Vols beat Florida, LSU and Alabama, won a New Year’s 6 bowl game for the 1st time since January 2005 and finished the season with 11 wins for the 1st time in 21 years.
The 2022 season will be remembered by Vols fans for decades to come. But it won’t be long before all attention will turn toward the 2023 campaign.
Here are 10 burning questions facing the Vols as we head into the offseason.
1. Will Joe Milton III be Tennessee’s starting QB on Week 1?
This seems like an easy “well, duh.” Milton is coming off an Orange Bowl MVP performance, with 251 yards passing and 3 TDs against Clemson. He will be a 6th-year QB with 2 1/2 years learning this offense.
He will get pushed by rising sophomore Tayven Jackson and true freshman Nico Iamaleava, but it would be a stunner if anyone but Milton takes the opening snap against Virginia.
2. Who will be Tennessee’s WR1?
The 2022 season started with Cedric Tillman as Tennessee’s top pass-catching option. After he was injured, Jalin Hyatt was the go-to guy.
Tillman and Hyatt won’t be around come fall, but the Vols have some candidates.
Bru McCoy is probably the leader in the clubhouse. McCoy finished this past season 2nd on the team in catches with 52 and yards with 667. Ramel Keyton is another experienced candidate and finished with 31 catches for 562 yards and 5 scores.
Squirrel White’s speed will continue to give opposing defenses fits, but the guess here is McCoy.
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Sports betting in Tennessee officially launched on November 1, 2020, and many of the largest sportsbooks are live and operating in the volunteer state. Tennessee is only one of a handful of SEC football states with legalized sports betting.
3. Who will be Tennessee’s OC?
When you have success, other schools will try to take your assistant coaches. It was no surprise when Tennessee offensive coordinator Alex Golesh took the head coaching job at South Florida in December.
Vols head coach Josh Heupel hasn’t made any moves since the regular season ended. But you’d expect he won’t go outside the family to find Golesh’s replacement.
QB coach Joey Halzle is the obvious choice. Halzle has been with Heupel in his coaching stops at Utah State, Missouri and Central Florida, and he knows Heupel’s offense better than just about anyone.
4. Will there be changes on the defensive coaching staff?
Tennessee’s defense gave up 484 yards and 34 1st downs to Clemson and was on the field for more than 36 minutes.
But it was in a bend-don’t-break mode, stopped a fake field goal and came away with 2 turnovers. It was one of its best “big-game” performances of the season.
That said, this is a unit that will finish the season ranked no better than 90th in the nation. No matter how good the Tennessee offense is (and it was the best in the nation this year), the Vols won’t win the division with a defense that poor.
Heupel has had a lot of stability on his coaching staff in his 1st 2 seasons in Knoxville. But it’ll be interesting to see if he makes some changes to the staff on that side of the ball.
5. Will the transfer portal help or hurt the Vols?
The transfer portal took its toll on Tennessee’s program, especially leading into Heupel’s 1st 2 seasons in Knoxville. But the Vols have also gotten a lot of help from the portal, with players like Milton, McCoy and JaVonta Payton using the portal to get to Tennessee under Heupel.
In this cycle, Tennessee wide receivers Jimmy Holiday and Jimmy Calloway have entered the portal, as has RB Len’Neth Whitehead. The Vols have already welcomed BYU LB Keenan Pili, as well as Indiana PK Charles Campbell to replace Chase McGrath.
Those won’t be the last guys to leave or arrive.
6. Will Tyler Baron return this fall?
Tennessee is already losing some key players on defense, including LB Jeremy Banks and DE Byron Young.
Knoxville Catholic product Tyler Baron has yet to decide about his future. Baron has played in 36 games for Tennessee the past 3 years. This season, he had 22 tackles, 6.5 of them for a loss.
His return would be a big boost for this defense, which needs playmakers.
7. Will the secondary improve?
It’s no secret that the Tennessee secondary has been the weak spot on this team under Heupel. This season, it was one of the worst units in the nation, allowing 289.5 passing yards per game.
Secondary coach Willie Martinez gets the brunt of criticism for their failures.
8. Will any freshman make an immediate impact?
Tennessee’s Class of 2023 is ranked 9th nationally according to 247Sports. Big things will be expected from several guys in that group in the years to come.
But what about this fall? Considering the Vols’ problems in the defensive backfield, you might see 4-star cornerbacks Jordan Matthews and/or Rickey Gibson on the field sooner than later.
9. Will spring/summer bring key Class of 2024 commitments?
Tennessee’s Class of 2023 got a huge boost when Iamaleava committed to the Vols last March. That commitment gave Heupel and his assistants a big name to point to when trying to recruit other players.
Another 5-star could do the same for the next class.
10. Will Tennessee win at least 10 games again?
You’d have been hard-pressed to find anyone back in August who expected Tennessee to crack double digits in victories. It hadn’t done so in 15 years.
The really good programs are the ones that consistently reach that level of wins. Can the Vols keep this momentum going?
Congrats on the great season! Beating your long-time rivals and stomping Clemson in the Orange Bowl.
Seems like Tennessee is on an upward trajectory. It’s good to see.
Thanks, Orion!
That team and the coaches earned it. And, hey, I like watching good football.
Once again, I’m in awe of such compliments from, “the one and only” UGA fan on here. It’s so much easier to give compliments when you get one every now and again. Good luck on Monday for your sake and yours only Orion.lol
I try to give credit where credit is due. I’m still shocked by that SC game. They had no business beating Tenn, which is a better team.
And if it wasn’t for the rain in the second half against Georgia who knows what could have happened. But that’s college football for you. I wouldn’t change a thing.
And thanks! Here’s hoping they execute well and win another for the SEC!!
If Tenn had made it there (I think they will under Heupel) I would be rooting for them to win it all.
Hooker was also a transfer portal gem for the Vols.
Schedule is pretty good for winning 9-10 games. We got two games as underdogs with AL and UGA along with two swing games with at FL and aTm. Should be favored in the rest.
UGA and A&M at home is helpful. FL and Bama away is tough. The portal makes it really tough to have a good feel for how next season will go for any team. Maybe UGA and Bama take a slight dip in offensive production because their QBs are gone after this season and the next guy doesn’t step up. The SEC will see a lot of new starting QBs next season so it will be interesting.
What is remarkable is that Heupel has blurred the lines of what styles our QB’s actually are. He took a dual with legs, improved his accuracy to the tune of Heisman candidate in short order. This is outside from his norm of pocket passer QB’s in his system. But all of them developed their run. Now the staff moves into the phase of developing two true pocket passers. Milton and Nico. Developing their run is an extra benefit. The reason Milton holds the ball too long at times is he’s being coaches to do all his reads in progression and hold out just a tad longer to do so. This will improve with more games and time. I think that is the most impressive things about Heupel. So many fans believed Joe was a dual. Incredibly difficult to take two different style QB’s and make them elite in any given system. Joe’s finished product will look more like Nico’s than Hooker’s when all is said and done, least that is the plan.
Heupel has blurred the line between $hi++y and really sh!tty on defense
With as much as UF has going wrong as well as A&M, at this time, they don’t look like swings but rather TN favors. But that could change.
A&M has talent. If the coacing staff gets out of their way they have a high ceiling. Florida is in the swamp and even in a bad year they gave you all you could handle at your house. They will likely be better next season.
True, could say the same about Mizzou vs UGA also. Fisher just needs to go. I don’t see it getting any better because he will not budge on this offensive scheme. He won’t let change save him.
Mizzou will be in Athens next season though
All good questions. The offense should continue to perform, although Milton has not reached Hooker’s level, he seems to have the ability to. Of more concern is replacing the losses on the offensive line. In most games, Hooker had all day to throw and the running game was very good. Pitt and UGA were the exceptions to that, and especially against UGA UT was playing against a team with better overall atheletes.
The defense was poor this year, but I believe it was more lack of SEC caliber play makers, especially the defensive backs. They had some good games, but were often overmatched. When Banks was at PennSt, the defense he was involved with was very good, so I don’t think he forgot how to coach. Heupel has bought in a good recruiting class, specifically addressing the defensive side of the house.
Overall, UT should still be a threat for a double digit win season next year. I expect a small drop off on the offensive side but a decent improvement on the defensive side. Nice to look at next season with some optimism. A rare thing for a Vols fan over the last couple of decades.
I like your take on things. It’s been hard not to be cynical at times as a Vol these years, but staying loyal has made 2022 so sweet. There are greater successes to come.
I wish I could be this way..lol But also, if we lose 4 games regular season, Heupel and staff aren’t going to see it any other way than an absolute fail/disappointment for how much they’ve developed the team over the last year and change.
1) Milton
2) I think all 3 of the WR’s listed will be fairly equal in plays. So WR#1 by committee. No standout like Hyatt next season.
3) Hazle
4) No changes but if the secondary doesnt improve I expect Willie to be gone. lost in the discussion is the fact we have no true CB’s on the team in 22. Thats a challenge for any secondary coach. still he can and should have done better.
5) So far its a help. Walker merrill is the only departure that you can say hurt and if we bring in one of the WR’s we are chasing it will be a wash at worst, probably better.
6) return if hes smart. he needs another season to improve. he has not reached enough of his potential. Not sure how his work ethic is.
7) Thats the $64K question and I lean yes. I mean it cant get any worse can it… will still be a challenge to get into the top 50. Counting on frosh to get there is 23 is not ideal. Hoping we can still find some help there in the portal.
8) probably and agree with the corners being most likely.
9) yes
10) if I had to bet something important I would lean 8-4 but 9-3 is certainly doable. 10 wins seems like stretch right now.
Vols over-performed in 2022. Heupel proved what his system and his staff can do. This will pay big dividends in recruiting and already has. But depth and high quality secondary players still have to be built. we are still 2 years away from seeing what the staff can really do. Look at Nico’s jr year to gage if we are back or not.
Well broken down.
Agree that Willie would go if someone on D major goes. I got Keyton as the breakout speedster or White in the slot. Bru is consistent but just not as many opportunities for catches per game.
I see the offense averaging close to 40 per game give or take average for the season with the D improved.
Regular season, 11-1, 10-2, splitting the Bama and UGA games for a 1-1. UF has an idenity crises and especially getting a QB that goes against their system is a head scratcher so I don’t see UF, SC being an issue next season and we don’t play anyone else outside of UGA and Bama that should really test us in that way. 9-3 certainly wouldn’t shock anyone, especially the QB situation. But if overall offensive production is steady with an improved D, than 11-1, 10-2 regular season probably wouldn’t shock anyone ither. 8-4 would be the least likely and I’m not sure there are 4 teams on our schedule good enough to outscore us.
fuzzy…an accurate post from a Vol fan.
Well, there’s one burning question extinguished. Halzle is the man!
McCoy is the most talented WR on this roster even with Hyatt and Tillman. People forget how good he was coming out of high school. I think he’ll blow up next year
My best guess is that next season is another golden opportunity for TN to make the playoff or a NY6. Teh only two games that appear to be legit nail biters are Bama and UGA obviously. Bama won’t have a QB identity and will have a new OC. Sure the game is at Bama but a good chance to finally win in Tuscaloosa. UGA has to come to Knoxville with a new QB but the game is very late in the season. Unlikely to be warm. A chance TN wins both of those games or goes 1-1 and least likely is to lose both games.
So regular season looks more like 11-1, 12-0, least likely 10-2 with both loses to Bama and UGA.
Just my opinion and I hope this does not happen. But Milton starts but gets hurt. If his pocket presence does not improve he’s going to take some real hits. Nico wins the starting job if Milton gets hurt. Fingers crossed this does not happen and if it did, all prediction of a regular season move down a game or two.
WR breakout? Ramel Keyton, Bru is consistent but not our speedster WR like Hyatt, and White is the breakout slot WR.
Bend don’t break D with a very good Redzone D. The redzone feels like all Garner’s work. Between the 20’s and those issues feel more like something Banks isn’t managing well.
More speed on the outside, with 2 top ten nationally ranked guys coming in. Secondary improvement and overall D improved. Speed upgrade being the main factor for improvement in the secondary and more DB’s facing the ball in play.
The portal will help TN in a huge way as long as the staff stays true to getting players that compliment their style of play. It has for the last two years, don’t think that changes for year three.
When Tennessee is good, the SEC East is a lot more fun. Hopefully the Gators will be up there eventually. Congratulations Vols on a great season.
Interesting. Did you enjoy losing to them?
If you don’t ever lose to your rival, is it really a rivalry? See: UT-AL, VD-UT, etc. To be rivals, there must be some back and forth.
LSUMC
Did you?
No, and I have no interest in any opponent getting better.
Not gonna lie. I didn’t expect that game to go the way it did. Extremely glad we caught you guys early in the season and had an early kickoff.
Still not sold on Kelly. LSU always has talent and can make mediocre coaches look good. If he can give LSU 3 consecutive years of this type of production, I’ll change my mind.
Great season Tigers. Till we meet again.
Gwhite loves losing to rivals. Tenn does once a year. I don’t think LSU is on schedule next year.
yeah but it was intentional
Milton should start game one easy. He’ll be a sixth year senior who has been in high pressure games already and he’ll be 23/24 when the season starts whereas Nico will be 18 and hasn’t seen the speed of the college game. I always fear for true freshman starters because they often get shell shocked and some never recover. A lot of difference in the maturity of 18 vs 23. (you hope anyway)
Milton has all the tools and seems to be more and more confident in the offense so I can’t see him not having the reigns day one.
The Vols 2022 season was the best since Phil Fulmer had his great run in Knoxville. Duplicating that success in 2023 will be more difficult. Hooker ran that offense beautifully. Congratulations Vol players/coaches/fans on your 2022 season.
I hope every TN/Bama game is as good as what we got this past season.