2026 SEC Media Day Series: Tennessee

In 2025, the Tennessee Volunteers were an offensive juggernaut, scoring at least 20 points in every game and posting over 30 on eight occasions. The problem was on the other side of the pigskin, where, in their five defeats, Tennessee surrendered at least 30 points. The Orange & White are consistently in the top-ten of teams playing up-tempo offense, and their style has become a double-edged sword for them—and one the coaching staff will need to address before the season starts next month. 

Team Snapshot

Conference: SEC
Head Coach: Josh Heupel
2025 Record: 8-5 Overall, 4-4 SEC
Key Games: Texas, Alabama, Texas A&M, LSU

Season Outlook 

Fall training will be vital, as the Volunteers will truly have a quarterback competition. George MacIntyre may have a leg up because he’s been in Heupel’s system for a year, but transfer Ryan Staub (Colorado) and freshman Faizon Brandon will both get serious looks before a decision is made. 

The receiving corps will have to learn on the job and will be led by returnee Braylon Staley. The running game is in good hands with DeSean Bishop (1,076 yards in 2025) and is bolstered by the addition of Javin Gordon (Tulane) and holdover Duane Morris. The strength of the Tennessee offense is up front, where the Vols return five starters along the offensive line and some capable backups with game experience. That should help as the quarterback becomes comfortable with the up-tempo offense.

The big chore for the Volunteers is to turn their defense from a liability into an asset. The first step was hiring Jim Knowles (Penn State) to install his 4-2-5 scheme on that side of the football. A big piece was added when defensive end Chaz Coleman chose to transfer in from State College as well. 

Experience has been added through the transfer portal, with the addition of defensive tackle Daevin Hobbs, but a foot injury had him on the shelf most of spring practice. The linebacker room remains the Vols strong suit, after convincing Arion Campbell to return and picking up another Penn State transfer in Amare Campbell. Jadon Perlotte and Edwin Spillman return after solid freshman campaigns to add depth. 

The injury bug bit the cornerbacks hard in 2025, but it allowed freshman Ty Redmond to collect meaningful snaps. Edrees Farooq returns at strong safety with newcomers TJ Metcaff (Michigan) and DJ Burks (Appalachian State) battling for the free safety spot.

2026 Prediction: Projected Record: 8-4 Overall, 6-3 Conference

Give Head Coach Josh Heupel credit for recognizing that the shortcoming in 2025 was with the Tennessee defense, and he’s taken two major steps to alleviate that deficiency. The first is the hiring of veteran defensive coordinator Jim Knowles. The second is making a significant investment in the transfer portal for what the Vols defensive coaching staff perceives to be high-impact players that are already familiar with his system. If the defense can stem the tide until the quarterback situation is settled, Rocky Top could be the surprise team in the SEC.

Top NFL Prospects

Jackson Ross returns for his senior season, recognized as one of the elite punters in the nation. The 6’3” and 205-pounder enters his fourth season in Knoxville coming off a 2025 campaign averaging 44 yards per attempt. Normally, NFL teams do not draft punters, but he may be intriguing enough in the final round for a team to spend a 7th-round choice on.

BOOK IT DANO!