Depth Chart Thursday: Examining the Vols' Roster Post-Spring Camp

As we navigate through the Spring Ball & Recruiting 2026 season, the Tennessee Volunteers are looking to bounce back from their narrow 30-28 Music City Bowl loss to Illinois last December. With the Orange & White Game in the rearview—where nearly 48,000 fans gathered at Neyland Stadium on April 11—head coach Josh Heupel and his staff are evaluating a roster in transition. For this edition of Depth Chart Thursday, we break down the biggest position battles and projected starters taking shape in Knoxville.

The Quarterback Dilemma

The most heavily scrutinized position on Rocky Top remains a mystery. Offensive coordinator Joey Halzle is overseeing an ongoing quarterback battle, and a clear QB1 has not been named. The fierce competition primarily features underclassman George MacIntyre and true freshman Faizon Brandon. Colorado transfer Ryan Staub is also in the mix, providing much-needed depth. Whoever eventually wins the job will step into an offense with plenty of returning firepower.

Veteran Anchors on Offense

While the signal-caller remains undecided, the offensive line is one of the most stable units on the depth chart. Returning starters David Sanders Jr. (OT), Wendell Moe Jr. (IOL), Sam Pendleton (IOL), and Jesse Perry (IOL) provide a veteran wall. They will be paving the way for running back DeSean Bishop, who enters 2026 with soaring expectations. Out wide, returning starters Mike Matthews and Braylon Staley will lead the receiving corps, stepping up to replace Carolina Panthers third-round draft pick Chris Brazzell II.

Jim Knowles' Defensive Redesign

The arrival of new defensive coordinator Jim Knowles is the defining storyline on the other side of the ball. Knowles is tasked with installing his system while simultaneously rebuilding a defensive line heavily depleted by the NFL. With Joshua Josephs (Commanders), Tyre West (Lions), Bryson Eason (49ers), and Dominic Bailey (Texans) all moving on to the pros, the edge and interior snaps are up for grabs. Incoming transfers Xavier Gilliam (Penn State) and Jordan Norman (Tulane) are projected to factor heavily into the two-deep. Unfortunately, the unit was without highly-touted transfer EDGE Chaz Coleman during the spring due to an off-field situation, muddying his current depth chart projection.

Reconstructing the Secondary

The back end of the defense also experienced a mass exodus to the next level. Cornerbacks Colton Hood (Giants), Jermod McCoy (Raiders), and Jalen McMurray (Titans) have all departed. To stop the bleeding, Tennessee hit the transfer portal hard. Expect Auburn transfer Kayin Lee, Kansas State transfer Qua Moss, and Penn State safety transfer Dejuan Lane to be heavily featured as Knowles finalizing his starting lineup. At the linebacker level, things are much more secure with returning starters Arion Carter and Amare Campbell locking down the second level.