The 2025 season marked a clear shift in Tennessee football’s roster philosophy - younger, faster, and more involved. Under Josh Heupel, the Vols leaned heavily on their freshman class, and the results were evident on the field. In fact, Tennessee got more out of its 2025 freshmen than in any of Heupel’s previous three seasons in Knoxville, a sign that the program isn’t just recruiting well - it’s developing talent early and trusting it in meaningful spots.
Two names stood out from the jump: offensive tackle David Sanders Jr. and cornerback Ty Redmond. Both earned starting roles as true freshmen and were recognized as SEC All-Freshman Team selections - no small feat in the nation’s toughest conference. Their performances also landed them on the 247Sports True Freshman All-American list, a nod to just how impactful they were from day one.
But it wasn’t just a two-man show. Tennessee’s 2025 class brought depth and versatility across the board.
The coaching staff redshirted fewer freshmen this season than in any previous year under Heupel, which speaks volumes. It means more first-year players were game-ready, and more importantly, the staff trusted them enough to throw them into the fire.
That trust was made a little easier thanks to a rule change that’s quietly reshaped roster management across college football. Since 2018, players have been allowed to participate in up to four games without burning a redshirt year. But the real game-changer came in 2022, when the NCAA clarified that postseason games - including bowl games, conference championships, and now College Football Playoff matchups - wouldn’t count against that four-game limit.
That’s why Tennessee can head into its Music City Bowl matchup against Illinois on December 30 without hesitation. Any freshman who’s hit that four-game threshold in the regular season can still suit up in Nashville without sacrificing a year of eligibility. It’s a strategic win for programs like Tennessee, who are building with youth and want to give those players a taste of postseason football without long-term consequences.
We’ve seen this play out before. Take quarterback Nico Iamaleava, for example.
In 2023, he played in four regular-season games and then made his first career start in the Citrus Bowl against Iowa - all without burning his redshirt. That kind of flexibility is invaluable for both player development and team depth late in the year.
By 2024, the NCAA made the policy official with a blanket waiver to account for the expanded Playoff format. And now, in 2025, Tennessee is reaping the benefits.
As the Vols prepare for their bowl game, the spotlight is on a freshman class that’s already proven it belongs. From Sanders Jr. anchoring the offensive line to Redmond making plays in the secondary, the future in Knoxville looks bright - and thanks to smart roster management and evolving NCAA rules, that future is getting a head start.