Explosive plays, vertical passing game, efficient rushing attack, and points are what people have come to expect from Josh Heupel’s offense at Tennessee. The last few seasons, the Volunteers’ offense has been sputtering. That is not the case in 2025
The Vols suffered a heartbreaking 44-41 overtime loss to the Georgia Bulldogs in Week 3, but proved to the country that the explosive offense is back. Before this season, Heupel-led Tennessee teams had never scored more than 20 points in a game versus Georgia. The Vols shattered that total in this game.
Tennessee rebounded well the following week with a decisive win over the UAB Blazers, 56-24. The offense continues to headline for the Vols as they are the only SEC team averaging over 50 points a game through four weeks. Joey Aguilar and the passing game can be largely credited for this, along with the always-solid rushing attack from the Vols.
The Revamped Passing Game
Aguilar has brought some fresh air to Heupel’s offense this season. With over 1,000 passing yards and 12 touchdowns in four games, he has been efficiently attacking defenses vertically. The gunslinging and ability to read the field have made him a perfect fit in this offense.
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His ability to create outside the pocket has been on full display this year for the Vols. He’s made multiple plays where he breaks a tackle to get the ball out of danger or makes a tight throw to a receiver.
He has also flashed mobility. He isn’t a typical dual-threat, but he understands when he needs to use his legs to extend drives. The quarterback-designed runs are a staple in Heupel’s red zone offense.
The concern heading into the season was turnovers. Aguilar led the country in turnovers in 2024, but so far this season, he has kept them down. He’s thrown three interceptions, but none of them are completely on him. If he continues to limit turnovers, this offense will continue to be one of the best in the country.
A Retooled Receiving Room
One of the biggest question marks the Vols’ offense had coming into the 2025 season was the receiving room. The only returning receivers with legitimate collegiate snaps were Chris Brazzell II and Mike Matthews. With the emergence of Braylon Staley, the group as a whole has exceeded expectations.
Brazzell II owned the Georgia secondary in their meeting in Knoxville with three touchdowns. Two of these scores were over 50 yards—showing off the Vols’ downfield ability as a whole. Brazzell II’s development as the go-to receiver for Aguilar has been game-wrecking for defenses, as he has accumulated a nation-leading six touchdowns.
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Staley and Matthews have complemented Brazzell II nicely so far this season. Both players have shown the ability to get open deep and create separation in one-on-one situations. The freshman in the receiving room still has growing to do to have a larger role in the passing game.
Winning the Battle in the Trenches
A nice surprise for the Vols this season has been the play up front with the offensive line. The line has excelled even without highly touted freshman David Sanders Jr. and instead has relied on redshirt freshman Jesse Perry. Perry has held his own through the first four weeks, but has had help from guard Wendell Moe Jr. Sam Pendleton, the center, has had his ups and downs after moving to the position for the first time in his career.
Shamurad Umarov and Lance Heard have held down the left side of the offensive line during the season. Heard has improved from the 2024 season into this year by finishing plays with more authority.
If Sanders returns to this group and they can sustain the level they are playing at, it bodes well for the offense going forward.
Talented Rushing Attack Continues
The running back trio of DeSean Bishop, Star Thomas, and Peyton Lewis has lived up to the expectations placed on them at the beginning of the season. Bishop has been a solid, reliable back to get the tough yards offenses need to move the chains. Bishop has thrived running in between the tackles this season.
Thomas has been the do-it-all back for this offense. He is the leading receiving back for the offense and continues to show how he can be a threat out of the backfield. Thomas has also showcased elite balance to break long runs.
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Lewis has been the inconsistent back with a ton of upside. His hands have let him down this season on swing passes that are created to use his elite speed. He has showcased this speed throughout the season, along with the ability to turn that into power in short-yardage situations.
Looking Ahead
The Vols will have their first true road game of the season when they take on an undefeated Mississippi State Bulldog team. The Bulldogs will provide a huge challenge for this team, including Heupel’s offense. Heupel’s offense over the past few seasons has trended to struggle on the road, so it is up to Aguilar and this 2025 team to prove that narrative wrong.
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