University of Tennessee Athletics
Tennessee Sets New Academic Standard in Fall 2025 Semester
January 16, 2026 | General, Tennessee Tailored
Another record-setting semester for Tennessee Athletics in the classroom
The University of Tennessee's student-athletes recorded the best semester in school history in the Fall of 2025 as the student-athlete population recorded a cumulative 3.49 GPA, the highest-mark ever recorded on Rocky Top.
A department record 283 student-athletes were recognized on their respective Dean's List, while 85 percent of Tennessee's student-athletes achieved a 3.00 GPA or higher.
The record-setting fall metrics marked the 26th consecutive semester in which the Vols and Lady Vols combined to post a GPA of 3.0 or higher. For the sixth straight semester, every team in every sport had a GPA above 3.0.
Tennessee Athletics' Rise Glorious Strategic Plan features a directive to "honor the foundation of college sports by maximizing the educational journey of each student-athlete and creating championship-level performance expectations academically."
"This is yet another testament to the remarkable competitiveness of our student-athletes in every endeavor they pursue, and the outstanding results are a reflection of their dedication," said Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics Danny White. "I applaud our men and women for achieving these record-setting academic milestones and for their steadfast commitment to giving their all for Tennessee. This success is a direct result of our unwavering commitment and focused strategy to lead the way in all that we do."
Nine teams equaled or set new fall GPA records including baseball, men's basketball, football, men's swimming and diving, men's tennis, softball, women's basketball, women's track and field and volleyball.
"I am beyond excited to report on the accolades most recently posted by our student-athletes, said Senior Associate Athletics Director & Assistant Provost Chris Johnson. "The numbers indicate that the fall 2025 semester will go down as the greatest academic term in the history of Tennessee athletics! Our student-athletes continue to meet the standard and raise the expectations for what can be achieved. UTK faculty, coaches, staff, and the Tennessee Tailored team in the Thornton Center all continuously find ways to push student-athletes to be their best – in the classroom, in the community, and beyond."
Some of the additional academic highlights from the Fall 2025 semester include:
A department record 283 student-athletes were recognized on their respective Dean's List, while 85 percent of Tennessee's student-athletes achieved a 3.00 GPA or higher.
The record-setting fall metrics marked the 26th consecutive semester in which the Vols and Lady Vols combined to post a GPA of 3.0 or higher. For the sixth straight semester, every team in every sport had a GPA above 3.0.
Tennessee Athletics' Rise Glorious Strategic Plan features a directive to "honor the foundation of college sports by maximizing the educational journey of each student-athlete and creating championship-level performance expectations academically."
"This is yet another testament to the remarkable competitiveness of our student-athletes in every endeavor they pursue, and the outstanding results are a reflection of their dedication," said Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics Danny White. "I applaud our men and women for achieving these record-setting academic milestones and for their steadfast commitment to giving their all for Tennessee. This success is a direct result of our unwavering commitment and focused strategy to lead the way in all that we do."
Nine teams equaled or set new fall GPA records including baseball, men's basketball, football, men's swimming and diving, men's tennis, softball, women's basketball, women's track and field and volleyball.
"I am beyond excited to report on the accolades most recently posted by our student-athletes, said Senior Associate Athletics Director & Assistant Provost Chris Johnson. "The numbers indicate that the fall 2025 semester will go down as the greatest academic term in the history of Tennessee athletics! Our student-athletes continue to meet the standard and raise the expectations for what can be achieved. UTK faculty, coaches, staff, and the Tennessee Tailored team in the Thornton Center all continuously find ways to push student-athletes to be their best – in the classroom, in the community, and beyond."
Some of the additional academic highlights from the Fall 2025 semester include:
- All 16 sports earned a team GPA above 3.00 (sixth consecutive semester)
- 73 student-athletes earned a 4.00 semester GPA
- 283 student-athletes were recognized on their respective Dean's Lists (most in UT history)
- 85 percent of UT's student-athletes earned a 3.00 GPA
- 453 student-athletes finished with a 3.00 GPA or higher
- Baseball finished with a 3.83 GPA, the highest ever term GPA by any UT team
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