Tennessee football on the rise under Josh Heupel, which is saying something for where 2021 began

Tennessee football’s current condition is good. But its outlook may be better.

That’s much more than UT could’ve asked for back in January, one of the most turbulent months in program history — and that’s saying something.

Think of how low things were in the early months of 2021.

Coach Jeremy Pruitt was fired for cause. Athletics director Phillip Fulmer retired abruptly. An NCAA investigation into alleged recruiting violations took a serious turn. And valuable players jumped into the transfer portal to escape the sinking ship following the Vols’ uninspiring 3-7 record last season.

Now look at how high things are in the final weeks of 2021.

Josh Heupel is one of UT’s winningest first-year coaches in the past 80 years. AD Danny White’s pick of Heupel from Central Florida, where they worked together, looks like one of the year’s best hires in college football. And the once-stagnant Vols are on pace to become the highest-scoring team in program history with a bowl game ahead.

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UT (7-5, 4-4 SEC) beat Vanderbilt 45-21 on Saturday at Neyland Stadium to guarantee a winning record in Heupel’s debut season. He is just the fifth Vols coach since 1941 to win at least seven regular-season games in his first year, joining John Barnhill (8 in 1941), Bill Battle (10 in 1970), Fulmer (10 in 1993) and Lane Kiffin (7 in 2009).

It didn't take long for Vols to become watchable again

More importantly, the Vols have a much-needed identity with Heupel’s up-tempo offense, which converted mostly unproven players and underperforming transfers into one of the most dynamic units in college football.

It's fun to watch, to say the least. And it's hard to beat.

The offense is the fastest in FBS in terms of plays per minute and could break the team record for single-season scoring. The 1993 Vols scored 484 points, and this year’s team has 466 points with a bowl game still to play.

Quarterback Hendon Hooker, a Virginia Tech graduate transfer, touts the highest passer rating in a season in UT history. He was added by Pruitt, seemingly forgotten after a preseason quarterback competition and then thrived as the season progressed.

Hooker’s path mirrors the Vols’ 2021 season.

Two months ago, UT was 2-2 with frustrating losses to Pittsburgh and Florida. Since then, it has routed Missouri and South Carolina and made its status clear against ranked teams.

The Vols hung around for a while against No. 1 Georgia and No. 2 Alabama before losing both games. They took No. 8 Ole Miss down to the wire in a loss. And they beat No. 25 Kentucky.

That’s a stretch that defines where UT is now. It’s a team that can match up with any opponent outside the College Football Playoff and New Year’s Six bowl pool. And that’s why the Vols will be a tough matchup for any bowl opponent.

Again, imagine how far-fetched that would’ve seemed earlier this year.

It's not all good, as NCAA investigation presents hurdles ahead

But silver linings to a better-than-expected year could be countered with a sobering reality soon.

Hooker, who will turn 24 in January, is pondering whether he should declare for the NFL Draft or return for one more season at UT. If he leaves, the Vols must regroup quickly.

And Tennessee’s 2022 recruiting class is ranked No. 27 nationally in the SEC by the 247Sports Composite. That would be the Vols’ worst ranking since Fulmer’s last signing class was No. 33 in 2008 before his firing later that year.

Heupel and his staff are fighting a perception that UT will be hit hard with NCAA sanctions for alleged recruiting violations under Pruitt. The early signing period begins Dec. 15, as the Vols will be preparing for their bowl game.

So not everything is rosy on Rocky Top.

But considering where the Vols started the year and where they’ll end it, the trajectory of the UT program may be the best news of 2021.

Reach Adam Sparks at adam.sparks@knoxnews.com and on Twitter @AdamSparks.

This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Tennessee football on the rise under Josh Heupel, which is saying something