After a 10-win season that saw the Tennessee Volunteers make their first College Football Playoff appearance, Tennessee hopes to improve upon its success in 2025.
The Vols come into spring practices without some key players from last season, such as former All-SEC members Dylan Sampson, James Pearce Jr., and Cooper Mays. Tennessee is also missing four starting offensive linemen from last season, and the Vols also lost most of their wide receiver core.
So, how will the Vols bounce back? Fortunately, Tennessee has a few players on the roster who are expected to have breakout years in 2025.
Miles Kitselman
After making his first appearance as a Volunteer in 2024, senior tight end Miles Kitselman will likely return as a starter for the upcoming season. Unfortunately, Austin Price from VolQuest recently reported that Kitselman suffered a pectoral injury during spring practice and underwent surgery. There is no timeframe for his return. However, Kitselman is expected to be healthy by the start of the season.
In his first year with the Vols, the Alabama transfer snagged four receiving touchdowns, the second-highest total on the roster. Kitselman also completed the season as Tennessee’s fifth-leading receiver with 301 receiving yards. Kitselman’s best game as a Volunteer came against the Kentucky Wildcats, where he grabbed six catches for a career-high 97 receiving yards and one touchdown.
The veteran tight end also had an impressive outing against the No. 12 Georgia Bulldogs, where he scored his first career touchdown on the ground. Kitselman even led the Vols in receiving yards for the game with 46 yards through the air.
Before coming to Tennessee, Kitselman was a three-star prospect by Rivals and On3 out of high school. The tight end began his career at Hutchinson Community College, the same school Cordarrelle Patterson attended before playing for the Vols. Kitselman later transferred to Alabama after one season playing JUCO. During his two years with the Crimson Tide, he appeared in 19 games and was a member of the team’s special teams unit.
Kitselman transferred to Tennessee following the 2023 season and was the Vols starting tight end in 2024. Outside of his pass-catching ability, Kitselman has also proven to be an excellent blocker. Kitselman’s blocking prowess has even earned him reps at fullback during goal-line situations.
Kitselman’s experience against SEC competition and versatility as a blocker and pass-catcher will be crucial for the Vols in 2025, especially since they only return one wide receiver with 10 or more receptions.
Joshua Josephs
Joshua Josephs returns to Tennessee as one of the most experienced defensive linemen on the roster. During his three seasons with the Vols, the senior defensive end has accumulated 70 tackles, 5.5 sacks, and 16 tackles for a loss.
Outside of his pass-rushing and run-stopping abilities, Josephs has surprisingly been proficient in pass coverage. Over the course of his career, Josephs registered six pass deflections as a Volunteer.
As a junior In 2024, Josephs received a 90.6 overall from Pro Football Focus, the third-highest grade for a defensive player in the SEC and the 11th-highest in the FBS.
In addition, Josephs was named SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week after recording three tackles, two forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery against the Oklahoma Sooners. The defensive end’s stellar performance was pivotal in Tennessee’s victory over the Sooners in a game where defense reigned supreme.
Josephs has been one of Tennessee’s most consistent defensive linemen in his three seasons with the Vols. His on-the-field play has helped him stand out amongst dominant Tennessee pass rushers such as James Pearce Jr. and Byron Young. His 82-inch wingspan and explosive playmaking abilities make him a dangerous option for the Vols in 2025.
Josephs achieved all of his success while primarily being a rotational player. In 2025, Josephs will likely be Pearce’s successor at the edge position. So, Vols fans should expect to hear Joseph’s name a lot next season.