Projections for Tennessee football in 2026 are all over the place. You can find pundits arguing that the Vols are in trouble and will sit just above or at .500, while others think UT could be in the hunt to return to the College Football Playoffs in 2026.
During a recent episode of That SEC Podcast, Athlon Sports writer Steven Lassan picked his side of the debate. Lassan thinks it’s worth buying stock in Tennessee’s 2026 season and that they could be a top 15-20 level team this upcoming year.
“I figure Heupel will have the right answers at quarterback, so I’m much more optimistic on Tennessee than I think probably the national media is,” Lassan said. “I think they’re much closer to a top 15-20 type team in the country this year.”
Great time to buy stock in Tennessee football, as many are discounting the Vols
But not @AthlonSteven:
“I think they are much closer to a top 15-20-type team this year.”
“I think Tennessee has a top 10 offensive line in the country.”
Full show: https://t.co/PxGLHvW01n pic.twitter.com/kZnvxiLJea
— SEC Mike (@MichaelWBratton) May 5, 2026
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One of the key reasons Lassan is high on the Vols is a specific position group. He’s confident in Tennessee’s offensive line, which features a number of returners and just one departure from its starting group last year, left tackle Lance Heard to Kentucky.
“I’ll give you an Easter Egg,” Lassan said. “I think Tennessee has a top 10 offensive line in the country this year. I think it’s one of the better groups coming back. Obviously, they got to replace Lance Heard, but top 10 offensive lines in Steven Lassan’s rankings have Tennessee as a top-10 offensive line this year.”
Tennessee’s starting five up front isn’t set in stone, but there’s a nearly consensus projection. It will very likely be, from left tackle to right tackle, David Sanders Jr., Wendell Moe Jr., Sam Pendleton, Jesse Perry and Ory Williams. Williams is the only newcomer, but he has experience at the SEC level with LSU.
The most notable piece not in that starting five is offensive guard Sham Umarov. He played a good bit last season and filled in with the starting unit this spring, with Moe missing time due to injury.
