University of Tennessee Athletics
Vols Prepare For Preseason Camp, Watch Media Day 12:45 p.m. ET Tuesday
July 29, 2025 | Football
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee football reports for preseason camp to begin the fifth year of the Josh Heupel era Tuesday, kicking off five weeks of practices leading up to the Aflac Kickoff Game against Syracuse on Aug. 30.
Heupel, defensive coordinator Tim Banks, offensive coordinator Joey Halzle and players will participate in media day Tuesday beginning at 12:45 p.m. ET. The Heupel and coordinator portions will be carried live on Tennessee Athletics' YouTube channel as well as @Vol_Football X and Facebook.
The Volunteers begin practice Wednesday morning, marking the first of three workouts in four days. Tennessee is embarking on a three-year stretch of 30 victories, including the program's first College Football Playoff appearance in 2024.
A total of 45 letterwinners return from that squad, including 11 primary starters. The Vols reloaded the roster with 27 newcomers who joined the squad in January. Six FBS transfers are new faces on the 2025 roster, including senior quarterback Joey Aguilar (Appalachian State/UCLA), sophomore cornerback Colton Hood (Colorado), redshirt freshman wide receiver Amari Jefferson (Alabama), offensive lineman Wendell Moe Jr. (Arizona), sophomore offensive lineman Sam Pendleton (Notre Dame) and senior running back Star Thomas (Duke).Â
Defensively, Tennessee returns six of its top eight tacklers, including junior linebacker Arion Carter, who registered 68 last season. Cornerbacks Jermod McCoy and Rickey Gibson III and safety Andre Turrentine anchor a secondary that was among the best in the country last year, allowing the fewest explosive plays in the FBS.Â
Offensively, running backs DeSean Bishop, Peyton Lewis and Thomas look to step into role held by SEC Offensive Player of the Year Dylan Sampson last fall. Bishop recorded 455 rushing yards and three scores, while ranking third in the SEC in yards per carry (6.15 ypc).Â
Tickets to the season opener are on sale now at AllVols.com. Season tickets are sold out for the third consecutive year. Fans interested in purchasing future new season tickets can fill out the 2026 season ticket interest form.
Heupel, defensive coordinator Tim Banks, offensive coordinator Joey Halzle and players will participate in media day Tuesday beginning at 12:45 p.m. ET. The Heupel and coordinator portions will be carried live on Tennessee Athletics' YouTube channel as well as @Vol_Football X and Facebook.
The Volunteers begin practice Wednesday morning, marking the first of three workouts in four days. Tennessee is embarking on a three-year stretch of 30 victories, including the program's first College Football Playoff appearance in 2024.
A total of 45 letterwinners return from that squad, including 11 primary starters. The Vols reloaded the roster with 27 newcomers who joined the squad in January. Six FBS transfers are new faces on the 2025 roster, including senior quarterback Joey Aguilar (Appalachian State/UCLA), sophomore cornerback Colton Hood (Colorado), redshirt freshman wide receiver Amari Jefferson (Alabama), offensive lineman Wendell Moe Jr. (Arizona), sophomore offensive lineman Sam Pendleton (Notre Dame) and senior running back Star Thomas (Duke).Â
Defensively, Tennessee returns six of its top eight tacklers, including junior linebacker Arion Carter, who registered 68 last season. Cornerbacks Jermod McCoy and Rickey Gibson III and safety Andre Turrentine anchor a secondary that was among the best in the country last year, allowing the fewest explosive plays in the FBS.Â
Offensively, running backs DeSean Bishop, Peyton Lewis and Thomas look to step into role held by SEC Offensive Player of the Year Dylan Sampson last fall. Bishop recorded 455 rushing yards and three scores, while ranking third in the SEC in yards per carry (6.15 ypc).Â
Tickets to the season opener are on sale now at AllVols.com. Season tickets are sold out for the third consecutive year. Fans interested in purchasing future new season tickets can fill out the 2026 season ticket interest form.
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