Tennessee football is preparing for fall camp ahead of a pivotal 2026 season. With so many questions about the roster, predictions have ranged from threatening to make the playoffs to a rough year.
Here are three reasons for optimism for the Vols’ season, though.
Jim Knowles Hired as Defensive Coordinator
Tennessee refound a dynamic offense in 2025, but the defense took a dramatic step back. The falloff was so severe that Josh Heupel made a massive change to his coaching staff. He fired defensive coordinator Tim Banks and replaced him with well-respected coordinator Jim Knowles.
Knowles joins after one year at Penn State. Before that, he was on the staff that won a national title at Ohio State. His defenses with the Buckeyes, Oklahoma State, Duke and more have consistently been toward the top of their respective conferences and even the nation.
Along with Knowles, he brings in some new faces as position coaches. Linebackers coach William Inge and defensive line coach Rodney Garner return, but he adds co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach Anthony Poindexter, cornerbacks coach Derek Jones and LEOs coach Andrew Johnson.
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The Offensive Line
With a young quarterback taking over, it’ll be imperative that the offensive line holds up to protect him. With the mix of returners and newcomers, it looks like Tennessee could have one of the best offensive lines in the country.
The starters are projected to be David Sanders Jr. at left tackle, Wendell Moe Jr. at one of the guard spots, Sam Pendleton at center and Ory Williams at right tackle. The other guard spot opposite of Moe will likely be either Jesse Perry or Sham Umarov.
There’s depth behind this front group, as well. Add in five-star freshman Gabe Osenda, West Virginia transfer Donovan Haslam and more, and the group is top to bottom strong. This should help give the pass game time for routes to develop and the run game massive holes to exploit.
Skill Positions Return Talent
It’s not just the offensive line that returns talent. At the skill positions, the Vols will have dynamic options with experience under their belt.
First, DeSean Bishop returns after a 1,000-yard season in UT’s backfield. He seems on track to handle the bulk of Tennessee’s rush attack again and should find himself around the 1,000-yard mark again if healthy.
At wide receiver, the Vols return SEC Freshman of the Year Braylon Staley and starter on the outside, Mike Matthews. Between the two of them, they were key pieces of getting the offense rolling again in 2025. The other starting job is open, but three contenders, Travis Smith Jr., Radarious Jackson and TK Keys, all have the skill to be breakout stars.
Tight end also returns Ethan Davis. He looked his best as the top option with Miles Kitselman hurt late in the year, and will have to carry a large load this year.
