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. Brandon became the youngest starting quarterback in program history when he started the season opener against Furman.
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 Davis’ 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. LSU transfer Ory Williams also joins the group, while Umarov is among the experienced options competing for a starting role.
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 leading tackler 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 considerable 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 along the defensive line, while Penn State transfer Xavier Gilliam and Tulane transfer Jordan Norman are among the additions competing for larger roles.
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 Brandon established as its starting quarterback and Jim Knowles in place as the new defensive coordinator. The defense returns considerable experience with five of its top eleven tacklers, including the top three from a season ago, while several experienced transfers bolster the unit. The Volunteers also return considerable offensive experience around their freshman quarterback, although the season-ending loss of Ethan Davis creates an early adjustment at tight end.