Tenessee Football Spring Checklist: Three Areas for Improvement for the Vols

As spring practice rolls around for the Tennessee Volunteers, the excitement surrounding the team is palpable. The Vols have made substantial progress under head coach Josh Heupel, establishing a high-powered offense that has garnered national attention. However, for Tennessee to build on their recent success and achieve long-term dominance, there are key areas that require attention heading into the 2025 season.

In this spring checklist, we will break down three specific areas that need improvement for Tennessee Football. These areas are critical to their development, and addressing them will be essential for the Vols to continue rising to the top of the SEC and beyond.

1. Defense: Building Consistency and Depth

Tennessee’s offense has been explosive, with quarterback Hendon Hooker leading the charge, but the defense has been the area of concern for the Vols in recent seasons. The defense showed flashes of brilliance in 2024 but also struggled at times, particularly when facing high-powered offenses like Georgia and Alabama. If Tennessee is to compete at the highest level, their defense must become more consistent and deeper.

Defensive Line Play

One of the primary concerns for the Tennessee defense is the performance of the defensive line. While the Vols have had some individual talent up front, including defensive linemen like Byron Young, the team needs to improve its ability to get pressure on the quarterback without relying solely on blitz packages. In the SEC, teams that can generate pressure with just four linemen have a massive advantage in limiting opposing offenses.

Tennessee’s defensive line will need to develop more pass-rushing depth in spring practice. The team’s current rotation of linemen will need to prove that they can generate consistent pressure and disrupt plays in the backfield. Additionally, the defensive front must do a better job of stopping the run. The Vols have had their struggles in the trenches, especially against power-running teams, and improving their front seven will be a key area for success in 2025.

In spring practice, the Vols should focus on:

Developing Pass Rush Depth: Who will step up as the next great pass rusher for Tennessee? This position group is pivotal to the defense’s success and must continue to develop multiple reliable contributors.
Stopping the Run: Tennessee must plug the gaps in their defense to slow down SEC rushing attacks, which is particularly important against teams like Alabama and Georgia, who dominate the line of scrimmage.
Defensive Line Rotation: Ensuring that the Vols have a deep rotation will help prevent fatigue and maintain fresh legs on passing downs. Developing additional depth will be crucial.

Linebacker Play

In addition to the defensive line, Tennessee’s linebacking corps has been inconsistent at times. With several key contributors from the 2024 season graduating, there is a need for new leaders to step up in the middle of the defense. The linebacker group needs to improve in coverage, play recognition, and tackling.

The Vols will also need to enhance their ability to cover opposing tight ends and running backs in the passing game. In modern college football, linebackers must be able to drop back into coverage while still maintaining their run-stopping duties. Tennessee’s linebackers will need to improve on their coverage skills to avoid being exploited by fast-paced offenses.

During spring practices, the focus should be on:

Finding a Leader in the Middle: The Vols need to identify a standout linebacker who can command the defense and get others into position.
Improving Coverage Skills: With teams focusing more on using tight ends and running backs in the passing game, the linebackers must improve their coverage ability.
Tackling Consistency: Tackling is a fundamental skill that will help Tennessee avoid big gains after the catch or during running plays. Reducing missed tackles will make a significant impact on the Vols’ defensive success.

Secondary Improvements

The Vols have experienced growth in their secondary, especially with talented cornerbacks and safeties. However, Tennessee’s pass defense still has room for improvement, particularly in deep coverage. The Vols need to enhance their ability to defend against the long ball, something that became apparent in losses to high-powered offenses in 2024.

The defensive backfield must become more aggressive, improve their ball skills, and work on maintaining coverage through the course of longer plays. Communication between the safeties and cornerbacks is essential to limiting explosive passing plays.

Key focuses for spring practice in the secondary should include:

Improved Deep Coverage: Defending the deep ball is a must for success in the SEC. Tennessee’s secondary needs to prevent big plays and improve positioning on long throws.
Ball Skills: Interceptions and forced fumbles are game-changing plays that Tennessee must generate more of in 2025.
Consistency in Coverage: Tennessee’s corners and safeties must continue to refine their technique, especially when facing high-caliber receivers across the conference.

2. Offensive Line Development: Protection and Run Blocking

While the offense has been one of the most dynamic in the country under Heupel, the offensive line has not always been as reliable as it needs to be. Tennessee’s quick-paced offense depends on the line’s ability to protect the quarterback and open running lanes, which means the spring practice session should focus on fine-tuning the play of the offensive line.

Pass Protection

Tennessee’s offensive line has been solid but not exceptional in pass protection. Quarterbacks like Hendon Hooker thrived due to their mobility and ability to evade pressure, but that won’t always be the case. For Tennessee to succeed at the highest level, their offensive line must do a better job of keeping defenders off the quarterback, especially when facing strong pass-rushing teams like Georgia or Alabama.

In spring practices, the Vols must focus on:

Pass Protection Drills: Tennessee needs to spend significant time working on pass protection, both in one-on-one drills and as a unit. Protecting the quarterback is paramount in a high-paced offense.
Adjusting to Stunts and Blitzes: Teams will look to pressure Tennessee’s offensive line with creative blitz packages. Developing a sound communication strategy and ability to pick up stunts will be crucial.
Building Depth: Injuries or fatigue could hurt the offensive line during the season, so developing depth at the position is critical. Spring practice offers the opportunity to test younger players and develop backups.

Run Blocking

While the passing game has been the Vols’ trademark under Heupel, the team’s run game has lacked the consistency needed to balance the offense. Running backs like Jabari Small and Dylan Sampson are capable of big plays, but the offensive line needs to do a better job of creating consistent lanes for the running game.

For Tennessee to continue being a multifaceted offensive threat, the run blocking must improve. In the SEC, running the ball successfully will be key to controlling the clock and giving the defense time to rest.

Spring practice should emphasize:

Power Running Drills: The Vols need to work on creating push at the line of scrimmage to ensure their running backs can break through for yardage.
Combination Blocks: Offensive linemen need to work on executing combination blocks, ensuring that they can seal the edge and drive defenders downfield.
Consistency at the Point of Attack: Tennessee must establish consistency on early-down runs, setting up manageable second- and third-down situations for the offense.

3. Special Teams: Kicking and Punting Game Improvement

Special teams are often the overlooked aspect of a football team, but for Tennessee, they have proven to be a deciding factor in close games. The kicking and punting game must improve, particularly in the areas of consistency and field position.

Kicking Game

Tennessee’s placekicking has been shaky at times, with inconsistent accuracy and range. For the Vols to win close games, particularly against elite SEC opponents, the kicking game must be reliable, whether it’s for extra points, field goals, or kickoffs.

During spring, Tennessee should focus on:

Competition for Kicking Jobs: If there is a competition for the starting kicker, spring practice will be the time to see who can handle the pressure and deliver in game situations.
Longer Field Goals: Kicking beyond 40 yards was an issue for Tennessee last season. Establishing confidence in long-range kicks will be essential for the offense to avoid being forced into conservative playcalling on long drives.

Punting Game

Tennessee has a solid punter in the form of Rylan Gaddy, but the team must focus on ensuring that punts are effective in pinning opponents deep in their territory. The punt coverage team also needs to maintain consistency in preventing big returns.

Focus areas for spring practice include:

Punt Coverage: Tennessee must ensure that its coverage unit is on point to prevent field position from being lost.
Directional Punting: Punting with precision to specific areas of the field could provide a strategic advantage by forcing opponents into unfavorable starting positions.

Prioritizing Growth in Key Areas

For the Tennessee Volunteers to make a run at an SEC Championship and national relevance, the spring season will be critical for improving on these three areas: defense, offensive line play, and special teams. While Tennessee has an explosive offense, they must continue developing their defense, solidifying their offensive line, and sharpening their special teams to become a complete team capable of competing for championships.

By addressing these weaknesses during spring practice, the Vols will set themselves up for a strong 2025 season, with the potential to further solidify their place in the upper echelon of college football.