Josh Heupel enters his sixth season after Tennessee finished 8-5 overall and 4-4 in SEC play in 2025. Joey Halzle returns for his fourth season as offensive coordinator. Five-star freshman Faizon Brandon won the preseason quarterback competition over George MacIntyre and Colorado transfer Ryan Staub, then became Tennessee’s starting quarterback and the youngest in program history when he started the season opener against Furman. Update (Oct. 14): George MacIntyre made his first career start against Arkansas on October 10, throwing for 247 yards and a touchdown in Tennessee’s 24-17 victory. Faizon Brandon has returned to practice while recovering from his shoulder injury, but Josh Heupel has not announced a starting quarterback for the October 17 matchup against Alabama.

DeSean Bishop returns after averaging 83 rushing yards per game last season. Update (Oct. 14): Bishop has emerged as Tennessee’s leading offensive weapon, rushing for 138 yards and the winning touchdown against Arkansas. He has accumulated 678 rushing yards and eight touchdowns through six games. Tennessee must replace Chris Brazzell at receiver, but production returns with Braylon Staley, who caught 68 passes, and Mike Matthews, who caught 53. Five-star freshman TK Keys also joins the receiving corps. Tight end Ethan Davis returned after making 21 catches last season but suffered a season-ending injury against Georgia Tech. Update (Oct. 14): DaSaahn Brame has taken on a larger role at tight end following Davis’ injury, leading Tennessee with 87 receiving yards against Arkansas. The offensive line returns experience with Sam Pendleton, Jesse Perry, Wendell Moe, David Sanders Jr., and Shamurad Umarov, all of whom started games last season. Update (Oct. 1): OL Wendell Moe Jr. suffered a season-ending lower-body injury against Texas and will miss the remainder of the 2026 season. LSU transfer Ory Williams also joins the group.

Jim Knowles arrives from Penn State as defensive coordinator, and Tennessee returns five of its top eleven tacklers from last season, including its top three: Edwin Spillman, Jeremiah Telander, and Arion Carter. Edrees Farooq will miss the season with a patellar tendon injury. Telander returns at linebacker after making 13 starts last season, while Carter made nine and Spillman made six. Penn State transfer Amare Campbell also joins the linebacker group. The secondary returns full-time starter Ty Redmond, who made 12 starts, while Tennessee added experience through the transfer portal. Michigan transfer TJ Metcalf made 13 starts last season, Auburn transfer Kayin Lee made 11, and Kansas State transfer Qua Moss made 10. Daevin Hobbs returns at defensive end, while Penn State transfer Xavier Gilliam and Tulane transfer Jordan Norman join the group.

Evan Crabtree returns for his second season as special teams coordinator. Louisville transfer Cooper Ranvier takes over at placekicker after making 21 of 25 field-goal attempts last season, while Jackson Ross returns at punter. Tennessee must replace primary punt returner Boo Carter, while Daune Morris and Joakim Dodson provide return experience, with Dodson returning a kickoff for a touchdown in the Music City Bowl.

Tennessee enters 2026 with offensive experience around its young quarterbacks, and Jim Knowles takes over as defensive coordinator. The defense returns five of its top eleven tacklers, including the top three from last season, and several experienced transfers bolster the unit. Season-ending injuries to Ethan Davis and Wendell Moe Jr. have forced major adjustments on offense, while Bishop has become the centerpiece of the running game and Brame has assumed a larger receiving role. Update (Oct. 14): Tennessee is 5-1 overall and 2-1 in SEC play, with the quarterback situation remaining unsettled ahead of its October 17 matchup against Alabama.