What Is 2019 Tennessee Vols football team

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2019 Tennessee Volunteers football team represented the University of Tennessee in the 2019 NCAA Division I FBS football season, finishing with a 8–5 record under head coach Jeremy Pruitt. They played in the Outback Bowl, defeating the Indiana Hoosiers 23–22 in a comeback victory on January 1, 2020.

Key Facts

Finished the season with an 8–5 overall record and 5–3 in SEC play
Defeated Indiana 23–22 in the Outback Bowl on January 1, 2020
Ranked as high as No. 12 in the AP Poll during October 2019
Quarterback Jarrett Guarantano started 10 games, throwing for 2,074 yards and 15 touchdowns
Defensive end Darrell Taylor recorded 8.5 sacks, leading the team

Overview

The 2019 Tennessee Volunteers football team competed as members of the Southeastern Conference (SEC) in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision. Led by second-year head coach Jeremy Pruitt, the team showed marked improvement from their 2018 campaign, posting an 8–5 overall record and a 5–3 mark in conference play.

The Volunteers achieved their first winning season since 2016 and secured a berth in the Outback Bowl, where they faced the Indiana Hoosiers. Their season was defined by resilience, particularly in close games, and a defense that improved significantly under Pruitt’s leadership.

Started the season 3–0, defeating Georgia State, BYU, and Chattanooga before entering SEC play, showing early promise under Pruitt’s rebuilding plan.
Reached a season-high No. 12 ranking in the AP Poll after defeating No. 23 BYU and surviving a scare against UAB, reflecting growing national respect.
Lost four of their final six regular-season games, including defeats to ranked teams like Georgia, LSU, and Vanderbilt, exposing inconsistencies in execution.
Quarterback Jarrett Guarantano threw for 2,074 yards and 15 touchdowns but also committed 11 interceptions, highlighting both potential and inconsistency.
Running back JaTavion Sanders contributed 530 rushing yards and 4 touchdowns, while freshman QB Brian Maurer added dual-threat capability in key moments.

Season Performance & Key Players

The 2019 campaign was a pivotal year in Tennessee’s rebuilding effort, marked by flashes of brilliance and lingering growing pains. The team’s offensive and defensive units showed progress, particularly in the trenches, though quarterback play remained a point of debate.

Defensive end Darrell Taylor recorded 8.5 sacks and 14.5 tackles for loss, anchoring a defense that ranked 35th nationally in total defense.
Linebacker Daniel Bituli led the team with 99 total tackles, showcasing his role as a defensive leader and run-stopper.
Special teams saw improvement under new coordinator Larry Groomes, with kicker Brent Cimaglia converting 19 of 22 field goal attempts.
The Vols allowed only 20.7 points per game, a significant drop from 34.8 in 2018, reflecting defensive scheme improvements and better discipline.
Four of Tennessee’s eight wins were by seven points or fewer, indicating a team capable of competing but still refining its closing ability.

Comparison at a Glance

Comparing the 2019 season to recent years reveals both progress and areas needing development. The table below highlights key statistical comparisons across seasons.

Season	Overall Record	SEC Record	Points Per Game	Bowl Result
2019	8–5	5–3	27.1	W, 23–22 vs. Indiana (Outback)
2018	5–7	2–6	27.8	No bowl
2017	4–8	0–8	21.5	No bowl
2016	9–4	4–4	34.4	W, 38–24 vs. Nebraska (Peach)
2015	9–4	5–3	32.5	W, 45–28 vs. Northwestern (TaxSlayer)

The 2019 season represented a step forward from the losing records of 2017 and 2018, though it fell short of the high-scoring, bowl-winning teams of the mid-2010s. While offensive output dipped slightly from 2018, defensive efficiency improved dramatically, allowing fewer points and more takeaways. The Outback Bowl victory over Indiana was particularly dramatic, as Tennessee overcame a 10-point deficit in the fourth quarter to win 23–22, sealing the game with a last-minute touchdown drive.

Why It Matters

The 2019 season was a turning point in the Jeremy Pruitt era, proving that Tennessee could compete in the SEC and win a bowl game after years of struggle. It laid the foundation for future recruiting success and program stability, even though Pruitt was later dismissed due to unrelated NCAA violations.

Restored fan confidence after three consecutive losing seasons, with attendance and engagement rising at Neyland Stadium.
Demonstrated defensive improvement, with the unit forcing 20 turnovers and holding opponents to under 21 points in six games.
Provided valuable experience for young players like cornerback Alontae Taylor and linebacker Henry To’o To’o, who became future starters.
Highlighted recruiting momentum, as Tennessee signed a top-15 class in 2020, fueled by on-field progress in 2019.
Set a precedent for close-game resilience, winning five games by one possession, a trait critical for future SEC competitiveness.
Marked the last winning season before a steep decline in 2020 and 2021, making 2019 a benchmark for future rebuilding efforts.

In summary, the 2019 Tennessee Volunteers football team symbolized cautious optimism. While not a championship contender, they showed tangible growth and delivered a memorable bowl win, setting expectations higher for seasons to come.