Freshman participation tracker: Tennessee 45, Syracuse 26
The 2025 Tennessee Volunteers football season got underway on Saturday in Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta (Ga.), as Josh Heupel’s team cruised to a 45-26 victory over Fran Brown’s Syracuse team in the Aflac Kickoff Classic. Tennessee managed to get work for several true freshmen in this contest, and Volquest tracks their participation here.
Total Tennessee Freshmen Participants (14)
WR Travis Smith Jr., TE DaSaahn Brame, TE Jack Van Dorselaer, LB Jaedon Harmon, LB Jadon Perlotte, DL Ethan Utley, DL Mariyon Dye, RB Justin Baker, RB Daune Morris, DB Timothy Merritt, DB Tre Poteat, DB Ty Redmond, DB Sidney Walton, and WR Radarious Jackson.
Tennessee played a number of true freshmen on Saturday, and most notably, their two highest-rated signees from the 2025 class did not play. David Sanders Jr. was a late scratch after being expected to start at right tackle against Syracuse, while Isaiah Campbell, the Vols’ highest-rated defender in the class, did not log a snap in the contest. That will most likely change this week.
Tennessee Freshman Snap Count Log
*Note*This portion will only count offensive/defensive snaps
| Snaps | Player |
| 60 | DB Ty Redmond |
| 13 | DL Ethan Utley |
| 13 | LB Jaedon Harmon |
| 7 | WR Travis Smith |
| 7 | TE Jack Van Dorselaer |
| 6 | LB Brenden Anes |
| 5 | DL Mariyon Dye |
| 2 | RB Daune Morris |
| 1 | TE DaSaahn Brame |
Ty Redmond Shines in Tennessee Debut
Tennessee felt like they had found a gem in Ty Redmond when he committed to the Vols almost 14 months ahead of signing day for the 2025 class. He has continued to turn heads since arriving on campus, and he has been expected to be a part of the rotation at cornerback this season. However, with Jermod McCoy sidelined to start the season, when Rickey Gibson went down on Saturday, Redmond was thrust into the spotlight, and he did not disappoint. He made four tackles and was highly efficient in coverage, minus one play where he allowed a receiver to get across his face and catch a slant to the inside for a modest gain.
Redmond graded out 75.6 for PFF and had a 73.8 coverage grade in his first action at the collegiate level. He will again be called upon in the coming weeks.
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“Not surprised (at how he played),” Heupel said of Redmond’s performance Saturday. “That’s how he’s performed throughout the course of training camp as well as spring ball too. He’s a smart football player. He has great length and ability to bend. Fundamentals and technique have continued to grow. He’s a guy that is very smart and understands the scope of what we are doing and what offenses are doing as well. He’s a really smart, competitive talented young player who has a great future in front of him.”
LB Jaedon Harmon sees action in Tennessee season-opener
Jaedon Harmon saw meaningful action in the second half of this contest, and he did not let the moment consume him. Harmon had two solo tackles and two assists as well as a batted ball, according to the stats. He will look to continue making the most of his opportunities throughout the course of the season in a crowded linebacker room for Tennessee
RB Daune Morris gets first touches
Tennessee rotated heavily at running back on Saturday afternoon, and Freshman Daune Morris even got a series of his own while the game was still competitive. Morris touched the ball two times for two yards, while also getting in work as a return man on kickoff and punt.
