RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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See the full story · 3 sourcesSTARKVILLE, MISSISSIPPI - SEPT. 27: DeSean Bishop #18 of the Tennessee Volunteers carries the ball in for a touchdown during the first overtime of a football game against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Davis Wade Stadium on September 27, 2025 in Starkville, Mississippi. (Photo by Butch Dill/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Tennessee Vols will start the 2026 college football season among the best 25 teams in the nation. Or at least that’s how the coaches around the country see things.
The 2026 preseason coaches poll was released on Tuesday, and Tennessee checked in at No. 18.
BREAKING: College Football Preseason Coaches Poll👀 https://t.co/gnEe967fmH pic.twitter.com/W2xBYGZWYe
— On3 (@On3) August 4, 2026
It’s an interesting spot for Tennessee, as those in the media had Tennessee right around the cut line at 24/25 in preseason polls.
Tennessee will be working in a new starter this season, who won’t have a lick of starting experience. Of course, both are talented, with Brandon’s upside seemingly limitless, but it’s going to be a learning curve for both players during the season.
But it’s clear that coaches respect Tennessee’s roster greatly beyond just the quarterback position. And there’s certainly reason to. Josh Heupel finds a way to create a competitive offense just about every year, and his skill position players of DeSean Bishop, Mike Matthews, Braylon Staley, TK Keys, and Ethan Davis can go toe to toe with anyone in the SEC and perhaps the country. The offensive line has some strong pieces in David Sanders, Jr. and Wendell Moe, Jr.
Defensively, while the pass rush options off the edge still have to emerge with Chaz Coleman’s departure, the Vols should be solid in the middle with Daevin Hobbs and Penn State transfer Xavier Gilliam. The Vols should be really good in the middle with a deep, experienced, and talented linebacker group and at corner with Ty Redmond and Auburn transfer Kayin Lee in the fold. Edrees Farooq is a riser on the back end with a strong spring following a breakout 2025, and Michigan transfer TJ Metcalf could be a solution next to him.
And, of course, that’s not including the physical transformations that S&C coach Derek Owings has pulled off this offseason.
There’s a lot to like on the Tennessee roster going into 2026, and it appears as though the coaches around the country have seen it.
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