Tennessee Slotted To Finish Ninth In SEC Preseason Poll
Image: Tennessee Athletics
By Aidan Sidoti
Tennessee football was picked ninth in the 2025 SEC preseason media poll released Friday, per ESPN’s Pete Thamel, signaling its lowest projection since Josh Heupel took over for the Volunteers in 2021, where Tennessee was also slotted ninth.
The Volunteers surprisingly received one first-place vote, while Vandy secured their usual two first-place votes– an SEC Media Days tradition. Still, Tennessee trails behind Texas, Georgia, Alabama, LSU, South Carolina, Florida, Ole Miss, and Texas A&M in the poll standings.
Roster turnover can be the blame for the modest ranking this year for the Volunteers, as Josh Heupel and company will be replacing several starters on offense that includes Nico, rushing leader Dylan Sampson and four of five offensive linemen.
Eight starters return on the defense headlined by future first-round pick and All-American cornerback Jermod McCoy, linebacker Arion Carter, and skilled defensive back Boo Carter– all expected to have major roles this season.
Tennessee opens the season against Syracuse in the Aflac Kickoff Game on Aug. 30 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta with kickoff time scheduled for 12 p.m. ET.
