Technically, quarterback Faizon Brandon is the only Tennessee starter that coach Josh Heupel has named to begin the 2026 season.
Brandon's position demands that clarity more than others. But much of the starting lineup can be solved without clearcut statements from a coach.
The 18th-ranked Vols play Furman on Sept. 5 (3:30 p.m. ET, ESPN+/SEC Network+) at Neyland Stadium. Here is our projected depth chart to start the 2026 season.
Tennessee offense projected depth chart
Quarterback
Projected depth chart: Faizon Brandon | George MacIntyre | Ryan Staub
Rundown: Brandon will be the 14th true freshman to start at quarterback for the Vols. Heupel will allow him to go through growing pains, so don’t expect a quick change if he struggles. Nevertheless, MacIntyre will play in the opener because it’ll be a blowout.
Running back
Projected depth chart: DeSean Bishop | Javin Gordon | Daune Morris
Rundown: Bishop returns as an All-SEC performer and 1,000-yard rusher. Gordon (Tulane transfer) has similar skills to Bishop, so he’ll probably get the first shot at RB2. But Morris is a big-play threat who could stretch this to a three-man rotation.
Outside receiver
Projected depth chart: Mike Matthews | TK Keys
Rundown: Matthews is a former five-star recruit who learned the value of patience and consistency in his freshman season. That makes him a perfect mentor for Keys, a five-star freshman with lofty expectations.
Slot receiver
Projected depth chart: Braylon Staley | Joakim Dodson
Rundown: Staley, the 2025 SEC Freshman of the Year, is a superb route-runner who must be a prime target, especially when Brandon scrambles. Dodson had a very good training camp.
Outside receiver
Projected depth chart: Radarious Jackson or Travis Smith
Rundown: Jackson and Smith are competing for the only vacant starting spot in the receiving corps. Keys has a shot here, too, but it might take him a few games to catch up. They’ll compete in the first three games of the season before SEC play.
Tight end
Projected depth chart: Ethan Davis or DaSaahn Brame | Trent Thomas
Rundown: Davis is a potent weapon when he’s healthy, but he was limited in preseason practice. Brame has the opportunity to take a bigger portion of playing time, especially if he develops as a blocker. Thomas (South Alabama transfer) is a blocking tight end.
Left tackle
Projected depth chart: David Sanders | Ory Williams
Rundown: Sanders, a former five-star recruit, moves from right tackle to left tackle. He’ll need to be an anchor there. Williams (LSU transfer), who's competing for the right tackle starting spot, would only play left tackle if Sanders suffered a serious injury.
Left guard
Projected depth chart: Wendell Moe | Sham Umarov
Rundown: Moe was an 2025 All-SEC performer. Umarov has been a part-time starter who could see action at both guard spots.
Center
Projected depth chart: Sam Pendleton | Nic Moore
Rundown: Pendleton had ups and downs in his first season at center. He’ll need to be steady to help Brandon.
Right guard
Projected depth chart: Jesse Perry or Sham Umarov | Donovan Haslam
Rundown: Perry could start at right guard or right tackle. Umarov is another safe option here. The 6-foot-3, 350-pound Haslam (West Virginia transfer) is a mauler who could be a goal-line option or an every-down contender in time.
Right tackle
Projected depth chart: Ory Williams or Jesse Perry
Rundown: Williams (LSU starter) started two games as a redshirt freshman in 2025, and UT got him from the portal hoping that he’d become a full-time starter. If Williams isn’t ready, Perry can start at right tackle. The best combination is debatable.
Tennessee defense projected depth chart
Defensive tackle
Projected depth chart: Daevin Hobbs | Ethan Utley or Isaiah Campbell
Rundown: Hobbs could be a standout if he’s healthy, but he’s dealing with a foot injury. Utley and Campbell will try to take a step from developmental freshmen to contributing sophomores, but they've dealt with injuries. Freshmen could get into the mix.
Defensive tackle
Projected depth chart: Xavier Gilliam | Nathan Robinson | JJ Finch
Rundown: Gilliam (Penn State transfer) played well under new defensive coordinator Jim Knowles last season, and he’s probably UT’s best defensive lineman. Now he’ll be coached by veteran defensive line coach Rodney Garner, who should bring out his best. Robinson has valuable experience.
Defensive end
Projected depth chart: Tyree Weathersby | Mariyon Dye
Rundown: Weathersby is due for a breakout year. He certainly has the talent, and he had a strong training camp. Dye may be a better fit under Knowles than he was in previous coordinator Tim Banks’ scheme.
Edge rusher
Projected depth chart: Jordan Norman | Christian Gass or Kedric Golston
Rundown: Norman (Tulane transfer) was an impact player on a College Football Playoff team, and he could also play as a strongside defensive end. Golston’s father played for Garner at Georgia and then for 11 seasons in the NFL.
Linebacker
Projected depth chart: Arion Carter or Edwin Spillman | Jadon Perlotte
Rundown: Carter pulled out of the NFL draft to follow up his All-SEC season. He’ll start after serving an NCAA one-game suspension. Spillman was recruited by Knowles at Ohio State, and he could benefit from the scheme change. His playing time will increase if UT goes with a three-linebacker look. Perlotte flashed talent as a freshman, and a fresh look from new coaches could be interesting.
Linebacker
Projected depth chart: Amare Campbell or Jeremiah Telander
Rundown: Campbell (Penn State transfer) played 769 snaps in Knowles’ scheme last season. Telander is a team captain type and returning starter who has picked up the scheme quickly. Young players also could factor into this very deep position.
Cornerback
Projected depth chart: Kayin Lee | Tre Poteat
Rundown: Lee (Auburn transfer) has 25 starts in his career with plenty of experience facing elite SEC receivers. Poteat showed promise as a freshman.
Cornerback
Projected depth chart: Ty Redmond | Tim Merritt
Rundown: Redmond was quietly a third-team All-SEC selection as a freshman. He’s got a high ceiling. Merritt is trying to extend the rotation to four cornerbacks.
Nickelback
Projected depth chart: Qua Moss | Isaiah Hardge
Rundown: Moss (Kansas State transfer) is an experienced and confident defensive back who fits well at nickelback but can also play safety. Hardge (Colorado transfer) is the likely backup, but expect some experimentation in the secondary early in the season.
Safety
Projected depth chart: TJ Metcalf | DJ Burks or Sidney Walton
Rundown: Metcalf (Michigan transfer) is an experienced playmaker who started his career in the SEC at Arkansas. Burks (Appalachian State transfer) has played 40 games. Walton played a lot on special teams as a freshman.
Safety
Projected depth chart: Dejuan Lane | Dylan Lewis
Rundown: Lane (Penn State transfer) played in Knowles’ scheme last season, and he was a natural replacement as a starter after Edrees Farooq was lost to a knee injury. Lewis has benefited from a fresh start under new secondary coach Anthony Poindexter.
Adam Sparks is the Tennessee football beat reporter. Email adam.sparks@knoxnews.com. X, formerly known as Twitter@AdamSparks. Support strong local journalism by subscribing at knoxnews.com/subscribe.
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This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Projecting Tennessee football depth chart for 2026 season
