Despite getting cooked by Ohio State in the playoffs, they told us Tennessee was back. They told us Josh Heupel is cooking something dangerous in Knoxville for the big 2025. But now? Now they’re whispering. After Nico Iamaleava dipped to UCLA over a $4 million NIL beef, everything went sideways. The next thing you know, they’re QB-less, disrespected, and watching analysts toss them out of the playoff bracket like last week’s leftovers. Heupel’s catching strays, and the whole country’s sleeping on Rocky Top. But guess who’s waking them up?

It took a transfer carousel that felt like an unofficial trade. Nico bounced to UCLA, and Joey Aguilar—who had just arrived in Westwood—doubled back and landed in Knoxville. Just like that, Tennessee had a pulse again. But the disrespect didn’t stop. From analysts to fans, folks started talking like Heupel was some one-season play-off wonder. The Nico drama had people rewriting the narrative real quick.

On May 9, Chris Gordy from Locked On LSU pulled up with a deep-cut SEC roundtable and asked, plain and simple, “Give me a team that’s dangerous in 2025 — and it can’t be your team.” John Miller from Locked On Mizzou didn’t hesitate. “I think Tennessee is starting to fly under the radar a little bit, simply because of the whole Nico Iamaleava thing,” he said. “I think they’re always a dangerous team — any Josh Heupel team is dangerous. They were just in the playoffs last year. I know they got humiliated by Ohio State, but I think some of that is lowering their expectations almost to an unfair point.”

And boy, did he lie? Yes the Vols did meet an embarrassing 42-17 loss to Ohio State but lets not forget the wins. Josh Heupel turned a washed Tennessee program into a certified threat. Since 2021, he’s stacked a 37–15 record, pulled off two 10-win seasons, beat Bama in 2024, smoked Clemson in the Orange Bowl ’22, and led Tennessee to their first-ever CFP spot. His high-octane offense lit up scoreboards and made Neyland Stadium loud again.

Remember 2022? Vols led the country in scoring (46.1 ppg), total offense (525.5 ypg), and touchdowns (79). The Vols finished 11-2 record. In 2024? That offense and defense ball out. Dylan Sampson? Turned into a monster, putting up 1,485 yards and 22 TDs last year. And yeah, Nico helped get them there too. But don’t act like Heupel forgot how to coach ‘cause one guy bounced. But if we go stat for stat, Nico Iamaleava got carried by that Vols defense into the playoffs.

The NIL mess? That’s just the game now. Nico wanted $4 million in his pockets. Tennessee offered $2.4 million. Simple math, but messy business. A raise was demanded. Nico hit the portal and thought everything was fine in his new Los Angeles home at the Bruins until he fell prey to California’s giant tax bracket. Nico had no choice but to accept. Look, not going to lie, Tennessee looked rattled for a sec, but then came Joey Aguilar.

And don’t get it twisted — Joey’s not just a portal body. At App State, he threw 56 TDs over two years, racked up over 6,700 yards, and kept a steady 60% completion rate. Sure, this ain’t the Sun Belt no more. But if you can sling it, you can sling it. SEC, Big Ten, Papa John’s, it doesn’t matter. The ball still spirals.

Urban Meyer asks Josh Heupel to make a big decision

Now spring ball’s in the rearview, and all eyes are on fall camp. The former Ohio State natty-winning HC, Urban Meyer, is peeking over Heupel’s shoulder like a nosy neighbor. Tennessee’s got a QB decision to make—and they better not drag their feet. Aguilar just touched down in Knoxville, while Jake Merklinger’s lurking with nine passes to his name.

So, who’s the guy? “The minute you said you got a quarterback issue, I go right to their schedule,” Meyer said via A to Z Sports. “And here’s the problem…you have to name this quarterback within two weeks of training camp. There’s no chance that you can let this thing bleed out, because the team has to know who your quarterback is. So a guy (Aguilar) that’s just stepping on campus now, a guy (Merklinger) that’s only attempted nine passes. You have to (name a starter quickly).”

He’s got a point. Aguilar may be the new face, but he isn’t walking in with the keys just yet. Jake Merklinger knows the lingo, the reads, the rhythm. Meanwhile, Joey’s gotta cram the playbook, build chemistry, and earn that trust. Fast.

It’s tough to disagree with Urban Meyer on this one. Tennessee’s got a bit of a breather to start the 2025 season — Syracuse in Week 1, East Tennessee State in Week 2 — but then comes the real test. Week 3, they’re going head-to-head with Georgia in what could be a make-or-break game. Georgia had already worked Tennessee in the 2024 season, they are expecting to do that again. Josh Heupel must name Nico’s replacement ASAP.

The smart money? It’s still on Joey Aguilar. You want a hot take? Here’s one: Heupel is going to turn this disrespect into ammo and have the Vols right back in the mix. The floor is 8 wins, and the ceiling? Playoffs.

Either way, Tennessee’s still dangerous. Don’t sleep.