CBS Sports’ Way Too Early Top 25, Like ESPN’s, Doesn’t Favor Vols

Image: Tennessee Athletics

By Cody McClure

Another “Way Too Early Top 25” (plus one) has been released by a major publication.

CBS Sports has put theirs out, and like ESPN’s, it is not very favorable toward Tennessee.

The Vols come in at No. 23 in the CBS version.

According to their rankings, Tennessee will drop the most (18 spots) when it comes to this past season’s contenders.

Here’s what CBS had to say:

“This ranking is based on the Vols returning three of the top eight scorers - specifically Felix Okpara, J.P. Estrella and Cade Phillips - from a team that finished 30-8 and advanced to the Elite Eight of the 2025 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by Vanderbilt transfer Jaylen Carey, Maryland transfer Ja'Kobi Gillespie and four-star freshmen Amari Evans and DeWayne Brown.”

So the general consensus among the national media so far seems to be that Tennessee will take a step back in 2025-26.

But it’s important to remember that, perhaps, these lists are not accounting for more potential transfers/recruits that UT could get.

The Vols are hosting Maryland transfer Rodney Rice for a visit this weekend and, additionally, are still in the running for 5-star prospect Nate Ament.

We’ll see how the national media adjusts their outlook for the Vols once this roster is set.