The SEC released its two preseason All-Conference teams on Thursday morning with three Vols making the cut. Henry Ford (outfielder) and Brandon Arvidson (relief pitcher) each landed on the first team while Levi Clark (first base) landed on the second team.
Ford transferred to Tennessee from Virginia this offseason following head coach Brian O’Connor’s departure to Mississippi State. He’s coming off a strong sophomore season with the Cavaliers, hitting .362 with 11 home runs, 21 extra-base hits and 46 RBIs in 51 games played while missing time due to an injury.
The Charlottesville native mostly played right field at Virginia, but has worked at all three outfield spots and third base for Tennessee this offseason. Ford earned preseason All-American honors from D1Baseball, Baseball America and Perfect Game.
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Arvidson was the surprise of the MLB Draft for Tennessee, electing to return to Knoxville for his redshirt junior season after going unselected in the first three rounds of the draft. The left-handed pitcher struggled early in the 2025 season but emerged as a dominant reliever late in the season, finishing the year with a 4.19 ERA and a 1.29 WHIP in 38.2 innings pitched. Arvidson posted an incredibly effective 42% strikeout rate last season.
While Arvidson landed a reliever on the preseason All-SEC team, there’s a great chance that he will be a starting pitcher for Tennessee in 2026.
Clark was an off-and-on starter for Tennessee as a true freshman in 2025, slashing .289/.459/.594 with 10 home runs, nine doubles and 34 RBIs. The Georgia native came to Tennessee as a catcher before spending most of his freshman season as a left fielder and designated hitter. After a strong fall, Clark projects as Tennessee’s first baseman this season.
Despite earning preseason All-SEC honors, neither Arvidson nor Clark have earned any preseason All-American honors this season. Right-handed pitcher Tegan Kuhns, right-handed pitcher Brady Frederick and two-way Blaine Brown each earned preseason All-American honors from at least one site.
Tennessee baseball opens up its 2026 season on Friday, Feb. 13 when they begin a three-game series against Nicholls at Lindsey Nelson Stadium.
