The 2025-26 college football season came to a close on Monday night when Indiana knocked off Miami 27-21 to reach the sport’s mountaintop for the first time in program history. With the 2025 season in the rearview, focus begins to turn to the 2026 season.
With that, a number of outlets are publishing way-too-early rankings ahead of the 2026 season. Tennessee football occupies very spots in a number of rankings but falls between No. 19 and unranked in every ranking we found at the time of publication.
It’s a highly important sixth year for head coach Josh Heupel. The Vols remade their defensive roster and coaching staff after a disappointing 2025 season while bolstering their mostly set offensive roster. There’s a number of questions about Tennessee entering the offseason including about the new-look defense and, most importantly, who will start at quarterback.
Here’s a look at where Tennessee landed in 10 different “way-too-early” top 25 rankings for the 2026 college football season.
More From RTI: DeSean Bishop Only Tennessee Football Player With Early Heisman Trophy Betting Odds
ESPN
National rank: No. 24
SEC rank: No. 8
What they said: “After a disappointing 2025 season, Volunteers coach Josh Heupel made a big move on defense by firing coordinator Tim Banks and replacing him with former Penn State coordinator Jim Knowles, who helped Ohio State win the 2024 CFP national title. The Vols ranked 14th in the SEC in scoring defense (28.8 points) and total defense (397.2 yards) last season. Campbell, Coleman, Gilliam and Lane followed Knowles to UT and should be impact players. Heupel didn’t land a big-time quarterback in the transfer portal after pursuing Ty Simpson and Sam Leavitt, which could put his offense in a bad spot. It’s unclear whether Aguilar will get another year of eligibility — he’s a co-plaintiff in former Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia’s lawsuit against the NCAA. A hearing on the motion for a preliminary injunction is scheduled for Feb. 10. Redshirt freshman George MacIntyre and freshman Faizon Brandon will be in the QB room, and Heupel added Colorado’s Ryan Staub at the end of the portal cycle.”
CBS
National rank: Not ranked
SEC rank: Not ranked
What they said: Not available
The Athletic
National rank: Not ranked
SEC rank: Not ranked
What they said: Not available
On3
National rank: No. 20
SEC rank: No. 7
What they said: “Why is Tennessee in the top 25? That’s a fair question, but Josh Heupel has shown throughout his tenure with the Volunteers that this team will overachieve. Right now, it seems highly unlikely that quarterback Joey Aguilar will be back next season, which raises the biggest question — who will play quarterback? Also, Jim Knowles takes over as defensive coordinator, and his defense typically takes more than a year for players to fully adapt to. That said, Tennessee will probably find a way to be ranked in this area next November.”
Athlon Sports
National rank: No. 19
SEC rank: No. 8
What they said: “Coach Josh Heupel’s ability to get the most out of a roster and adapt to its strengths will be tested in ’26. With uncertainty surrounding the status of quarterback Joey Aguilar, either true freshman Faizon Brandon or redshirt freshman George MacIntyre is expected to start under center in ’26. Helping to ease either young quarterback into the starting role is a solid supporting cast that includes running back DeSean Bishop, receiver Braylon Staley, and rising star tackle David Sanders. Massive change is coming to a defense that surrendered 33.6 points in SEC play last year. Longtime coordinator Jim Knowles was hired to improve this group, and several players (defensive lineman Chaz Coleman, linebacker Amare Campbell, and safety Dejuan Lane) are arriving from the portal from his last stop at Penn State to be instrumental in the turnaround effort.”
Sports Illustrated
National rank: Not ranked
SEC rank: Not ranked
What they said: Not available
Fox Sports
National rank: No. 23
SEC rank: No. 10
What they said: “The Vols didn’t see their 2025 starting quarterback throw a meaningful pass until August, yet they still went 8-5 and stayed ranked all season. If Josh Heupel can develop redshirt freshman quarterback George MacIntyre or true freshman quarterback Faizon Brandon into a legitimate starter, Tennessee could surprise many in 2026.”
Bleacher Report
National rank: No. 21
SEC rank: No. 8
What they said: Not available
Sporting News
National rank: Not ranked
SEC rank: Not ranked
What they said: Not available
