Tennessee football faced off against Arkansas on October 11, 2025, at Neyland Stadium, securing a narrow victory with a final score of 34-31. The Volunteers took control of the game early, building a 17-point lead by the fourth quarter. However, Arkansas mounted a late charge that brought them close to tying the game.
Tennessee vs. Arkansas: Key Player Grades Revealed
Following the game, Pro Football Focus (PFF) released its player grades. These grades give insights into individual performances, highlighting top players on both offense and defense.
Offensive Grades Overview
The PFF grades for offensive players are as follows:
- QB Joey Aguilar: 90.0 (66 plays)
- RB DeSean Bishop: 83.1 (31 plays)
- RB Peyton Lewis: 81.8 (17 plays)
- WR Braylon Staley: 80.3 (48 plays)
- RG Wendell Moe: 77.2 (67 plays)
- RT Jesse Perry: 66.9 (45 plays)
Bishop stood out with his performance before an injury curtailed his game. Meanwhile, Lewis capitalized on increased playing time, delivering a career-best performance. The offensive line saw rotation for the first time this season, with particular notes on the performance of right tackle David Sanders and center William Satterwhite, especially in pass protection, despite some challenges in run blocking.
Defensive Grades Overview
The defensive performances were also evaluated by PFF:
- LEO Josh Josephs: 87.0 (36 plays)
- LEO Jordan Ross: 81.7 (29 plays)
- DE Dominic Bailey: 74.4 (35 plays)
- LEO Caleb Herring: 66.2 (32 plays)
- S Edrees Farooq: 65.6 (65 plays)
Josephs and Ross were particularly effective in rushing the passer, contributing significantly to Tennessee’s defensive pressure. However, other defensive players did not perform to expected standards. Notably, cornerbacks Colton Hood and Jalen McMurray received lower grades than anticipated.
Notable Performances
Even players with fewer snaps made an impression. Linebacker Jadon Perlotte achieved an impressive 82.3 grade despite just nine snaps, highlighting the potential impact of limited playing time.
Tennessee’s players responded well on both sides of the ball, demonstrating resilience and skill throughout the difficult matchup against Arkansas.
