2025 Tennessee football returning starters preview
The Vols have 13 returning starters in 2025, based on who were primary starters last season. Three returning starters are on offense, eight defensively and two specialists.
Redshirt junior wide receiver Chris Brazzell II, junior offensive lineman Lance Heard and senior tight end Miles Kitselman are returning starters for Tennessee's offense.
Heard has appeared in 23 games during his collegiate career, 12 at LSU and 11 with the Vols, including 12 starts. The 6-foot-6, 330-pound left tackle transferred from the Tigers following the 2023 season.
Brazzell II played in all 13 games, including nine starts, in his first season with the Vols in 2024 after transferring from Tulane. He recorded 29 receptions for 333 yards and two touchdowns. The 6-foot-5, 200-pound wide receiver's longest reception last season was 53 yards.
Kitselman appeared in all 13 games during his first season at Tennessee in 2024 after transferring from Alabama. He recorded 22 receptions for 301 yards and four touchdowns. The 6-foot-5, 256-pound tight end also scored one rushing touchdown.
More: 2025 Tennessee football projected starting lineup for offense
Redshirt senior defensive end Dominic Bailey, junior linebacker Arion Carter, sophomore defensive back Boo Carter, redshirt senior defensive lineman Bryson Eason, junior defensive back Rickey Gibson III, junior defensive back Jermod McCoy, junior linebacker Jeremiah Telander and defensive back Andre Turrentine are Tennessee's returning defensive starters.
Arion Carter led Tennessee in tackles (68), McCoy was the Vols' leader in pass deflections (7) and interceptions (4), while Telander led Tennessee for fumble recoveries (3) in 2024.
More: Jermod McCoy ranked No. 23 player in college football, projected as first-round pick
Redshirt sophomore punter Jackson Ross and redshirt sophomore placekicker Max Gilbert also return as specialists in 2025.
Gilbert converted 20-of-26 field goal attempts and 54-of-54 extra point attempts last season, while Ross averaged 43.2 yards per punt from 2023-24 at Tennessee.
More: Tennessee quarterbacks positional breakdown for 2025 football season
More: Tennessee running backs positional breakdown for 2025 football season
More: Where Tennessee football is predicted to finish in 2025 SEC standings
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This article originally appeared on Vols Wire: Previewing Tennessee's returning starters for 2025 football season
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