Tennessee football is set to begin spring practice on Monday morning. That will mark the beginning of position battles across the depth chart as the Vols get a better idea of what they have to work with.
Here are a handful of returning Tennessee players who will particularly need to have a big spring practice period heading into fall camp and the 2026 season.
Safety – Edrees Farooq
Edrees Farooq was one of Tennessee’s starters at safety last season and showed some flashes. However, he also had games and moments he’ll want back as he grows into his increasingly bigger role at the college level.
With Jim Knowles on campus as the new defensive coordinator, Farooq is going to have to make a big impression on him and his co-defensive coordinator and secondary coach, Anthony Poindexter. Just because he earned the trust of the staff last year doesn’t mean you can pencil him in as a starter this year.
Knowles also brought in a number of safeties to help fill out the roster and compete for roles. That puts extra pressure on Farooq to get off on the right foot this year.
Tight End – DaSaahn Brame
DaSaahn Brame was the fourth tight end Tennessee looked to last season. Behind Miles Kitselman, Ethan Davis and Jack Van Dorselaer, he was often used more as a slot receiver than a tight end throughout that freshman campaign.
However, Kitselman is out of eligibility, and Van Dorselaer hit the transfer portal and committed to Jason Witten and Oklahoma. Now, Brame is suddenly being looked at as the second-string option behind Davis.
He’ll have some other tight ends in the room competing with him for playing time, but Tennessee is seemingly banking on Brame to take a step. That needs to start in the spring.
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Defensive Ends – Tyree Weathersby/Mariyon Dye
Tennessee football’s defensive line is going to look a lot different next season. At defensive end, it’s relying on a pair of returners to take a big step.
Tyree Weathersby was often in the third-string role a year ago, as he finally got a clean bill of health. He was effective at times, but wasn’t necessarily a game-wrecker. He’s now in a position to play as much as he earns, which starts on Monday.
Mariyon Dye just finished his true freshman year and is expected to play a much bigger role, now, as well. He’s someone who could take one of the biggest leaps from year one to year two on the roster.
Running Back – Daune Morris
Another rising sophomore that Tennessee is relying on is Daune Morris. He’ll be behind returning lead-back DeSean Bishop, but could easily carve out a role as the second-string guy. His main competition is Tulane transfer Javin Gordon.
Morris played at running back occasionally a year ago, but was the fourth-string option. If he can make the leap that the staff hopes he can, though, he could be a significant piece as a running back and return man in 2026.
Wide Receivers – Radarious Jackson/Travis Smith Jr.
Tennessee has the slot role locked down by Braylon Staley and one outside job manned by Mike Matthews. The other outside receiver role is up in the air, though.
The candidates are rising sophomores Radarious Jackson and Travis Smith Jr. and true freshman TK Keys. The Vols could really use at least one of Jackson or Smith playing well, though, even if Keys lives up to the five-star hype and wins the starting job.
Having at least three options on the outside to mix and match, especially with a thinner tight end room this year, would be great.
