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 before becoming Tennessee’s starting quarterback and the youngest in program history when he started the season opener against Furman. Update (Oct. 7): George MacIntyre will take over as the starting quarterback against Arkansas after replacing Brandon against Auburn. Brandon has been dealing with a shoulder injury suffered against Texas.
DeSean Bishop returns after averaging 83 rushing yards per game last season. Tennessee must replace Chris Brazzell at receiver, but production returns with Braylon Staley coming off a 68-catch season and Mike Matthews recording 53 receptions. 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. DaSaahn Brame is among the players expected to take on a larger role at tight end following the injury. 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 are among the additions to 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 entered 2026 with considerable offensive experience surrounding its young quarterbacks and Jim Knowles taking 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 created significant adjustments on offense, while MacIntyre has taken over at quarterback with Brandon dealing with a shoulder injury.