Tennessee Vols Spring Questions, Vols Starting DB to Hit the Portal, Bama Modified Spring Game: A Deep Dive into SEC Offseason Moves

As the 2025 college football season slowly approaches, the Tennessee Volunteers and other programs around the SEC are gearing up for spring football. The offseason is a time for coaching staff to assess their team, identify potential weaknesses, and integrate new talent into their system. However, as spring practices begin, some significant storylines and questions are already beginning to take shape, setting the stage for a very interesting few months ahead.

For Tennessee, there are key questions that need to be answered during the spring session. These questions span multiple facets of the game, from the team’s quarterback situation to how well the defense can adapt and evolve. This article will address some of the most pressing concerns facing the Vols in spring football. We’ll also touch on a significant development regarding a Tennessee defensive back who is entering the transfer portal, and explore some changes to Alabama’s spring game, which has raised eyebrows across the league.

Tennessee’s Spring Questions: What Needs to be Addressed?

The Vols had a strong 2024 season, finishing near the top of the SEC East and making significant strides under head coach Josh Heupel. However, with a new season on the horizon, Tennessee enters spring with several unanswered questions that could shape the team’s future. From quarterback development to defensive consistency, the spring practices will be critical in determining where the team stands heading into the 2025 season.

1. Quarterback Battle: Will Joe Milton’s Experience Pay Off?

At the top of the list for Tennessee is the quarterback situation. In 2024, Joe Milton stepped in after Hendon Hooker’s injury and led the Vols to a strong finish. Milton has all the physical tools necessary to be an elite quarterback, with a cannon for an arm and an ability to make plays with his legs. However, questions surrounding his consistency and decision-making have led many to wonder if he is ready to fully take the reins in 2025.

Spring practices will be the perfect opportunity for Milton to prove that he can be the leader Tennessee needs. With a full season as the starting quarterback under his belt, Milton should have gained the confidence and rhythm necessary to thrive in Heupel’s up-tempo offense. However, the Vols coaching staff will likely take a long, hard look at Milton’s development in the spring, making sure that his mechanics, timing, and decision-making are up to par before they officially name him the starter for 2025.

The quarterback battle will also include younger talents, most notably Nico Iamaleava, a highly rated freshman quarterback. While Iamaleava will need time to adjust to college football, his arm strength and natural playmaking ability could allow him to push Milton for the starting role. Spring ball will be crucial for Iamaleava to show that he has what it takes to compete at the highest level. If he makes significant progress over the next few months, there could be some interesting conversations regarding who will take the snaps in the fall.

2. Defensive Growth: Can Tennessee’s Defense Take the Next Step?

In 2024, Tennessee’s defense made significant strides but still showed areas that needed improvement, particularly in key moments and against high-powered offenses. As the team prepares for 2025, defensive coordinator Tim Banks will be focused on improving the consistency and execution of his unit. Spring practice will provide an opportunity to build on what worked and fine-tune areas that were exposed in the previous season.

One of the main goals will be to improve the secondary, which had a few vulnerabilities in pass coverage. With a new season approaching, Tennessee’s defensive backs need to step up, especially against pass-heavy teams like Alabama and Georgia. Developing younger corners and safeties to provide solid depth will be key.

Additionally, Tennessee will look to bolster its pass rush. While the Vols had some success in 2024, they will need to improve their ability to get to the quarterback and create havoc in opposing backfields. The defensive line, led by veterans and emerging stars, will be under close scrutiny throughout spring practice as they look to refine their technique and push for more consistency.

One player to watch in the secondary is Kamal Hadden, a key contributor in the Vols’ secondary who will be expected to step up even more in 2025. Hadden’s development in the spring will go a long way toward determining how much Tennessee improves defensively.

3. Wide Receiver Depth: Who Will Step Up?

With Jalin Hyatt departing for the NFL and Cedric Tillman also moving on, Tennessee faces significant questions at wide receiver heading into 2025. Despite the loss of these top playmakers, the Vols have a wealth of talent in the receiving corps, and spring practice will be vital for determining who can emerge as the new go-to targets in Heupel’s offense.

Key players like Squirrel White and Bru McCoy will likely take on larger roles in the offense, but there will be opportunities for younger players to emerge as well. Spring football will be the first real opportunity for players like Caleb Webb and Chaz Nimrod to make their mark on the offense, potentially setting themselves up for breakout seasons in 2025.

Tennessee’s high-tempo offense demands fast, explosive receivers who can stretch the field, and the competition for these spots will be fierce. The spring practices will allow the coaching staff to evaluate the players’ skills in live situations, determine who is most effective in different roles, and build chemistry with the quarterbacks.

Tennessee Defensive Back to Hit the Transfer Portal

In a surprising turn of events, Tennessee’s starting defensive back, Warren Burrell, announced he would be entering the transfer portal ahead of the 2025 season. This news came as a shock to many Tennessee fans, as Burrell had been a reliable starter in the Vols’ secondary over the past few seasons. His decision to leave comes at a critical juncture for Tennessee’s defense, and it creates additional questions for the coaching staff to address heading into spring practices.

Burrell’s departure leaves a significant hole in the defensive backfield. As a cornerback, Burrell had been one of Tennessee’s best cover corners, and his ability to lock down opposing wide receivers was a crucial element of the Vols’ defense. Losing a player of his caliber is a blow to the unit, but it also opens up opportunities for younger players to step up and prove themselves.

In the wake of Burrell’s decision, Tennessee will need to find a way to replace his leadership and production. This could lead to increased opportunities for Christian Charles, Kamari Mumpfield, and other members of the defensive backfield to step into starting roles. While this may be a challenging transition for Tennessee, it could also serve as a chance for some younger players to gain experience and potentially blossom into future stars.

Burrell’s departure is certainly a setback, but it’s also an opportunity for Tennessee’s defense to evolve and grow in new ways. How quickly they can replace his presence and adjust to the change will be a key storyline for the Vols throughout spring practice and into the fall.

Alabama’s Modified Spring Game: A Unique Approach

While Tennessee faces questions about its roster and development, Alabama is also making headlines with a modified format for its upcoming spring game. Traditionally, spring games are a chance for fans to get an early look at the team’s progress and see key players in action. However, Nick Saban and the Crimson Tide are implementing changes this year to better suit the needs of their team as they prepare for the 2025 season.

The biggest change is that the spring game will not be a traditional scrimmage, but rather a more structured practice with a focus on individual position battles and scheme implementation. Alabama’s coaching staff has made it clear that this spring is all about evaluation, and they want to give players a chance to show their skills in a controlled environment that simulates game conditions without the added pressure of a full-scale, fan-driven spectacle.

This modified approach is likely designed to give the coaching staff a better opportunity to evaluate their roster without the distraction of a public-facing game. Given the high expectations at Alabama, Saban and his staff are keenly focused on identifying weaknesses, developing younger players, and solidifying positions before the start of the 2025 season. The emphasis on position battles, particularly at quarterback and along the offensive line, makes this spring game one of the most anticipated in recent memory, even though it won’t follow the traditional format.

 A Spring of Transition and Growth for Tennessee

The Tennessee Volunteers enter the spring season with several important questions to address. From the quarterback battle to the development of the defense, the Vols have the potential to build on their success from 2024, but the upcoming months will be critical for determining where they stand heading into the fall.

Meanwhile, the departure of Warren Burrell and Alabama’s modified spring game further complicate the picture for SEC teams as they look to shape their rosters for the 2025 season. Tennessee, in particular, has the opportunity to rise to the occasion, with several young players eager to seize the spotlight and prove that they can contribute at the highest level.

As spring practices unfold, the Vols will be looking to answer these key questions and emerge stronger, more cohesive, and more prepared for the challenges ahead. With so much at stake, the 2025 offseason is sure to be filled with excitement and anticipation as Tennessee and the rest of the SEC prepare for what promises to be another thrilling season of college football.