A Jaxson Moi return to Tennessee sounded far-fetched not long ago, but the conversation has picked up again in a hurry.
Moi made it clear earlier this offseason that he wanted another season in Knoxville, only for things to break the other way. He went undrafted and signed with the Rams as a UDFA, and he is currently in camp with the NFC powerhouse. Even so, the possibility of a path back to Tennessee has opened just enough to get people talking again.
That shift comes after double-digit former college players were granted a TRO to play next season, including former Bucs pass-rusher Jack Pyburn. On3 reported the news on August 19, 2026, while Pete Thamel reported that a judge in Louisiana granted a group that includes 16 football players - including several in NFL training camps this summer - a restraining order allowing them to return to college sports this season.
That does not mean Moi is suddenly on his way back to Rocky Top. There are still plenty of moving parts.
He would have to want to return to Tennessee again, and that is not a given if things do not work out with the Rams. He could also try to land on a practice squad elsewhere instead.
Tennessee’s roster picture adds another layer. It is not clear whether the Vols have a spot open for him, especially after adding Tennessee Tech safety Monty Hunt.
That move followed the announcement that standout safety Edrees Farooq is out for the season with a torn patellar tendon in his right knee. Hunt was also given an extra season of eligibility, which only makes the situation more complicated.
Still, if Moi tells the staff he wants one more year with the Vols, Josh Heupel would likely find a way to make it happen. And if it gets to that point, it would be a major pickup for new defensive coordinator Jim Knowles.
Moi would bring real size and presence to the middle of the defense. He checks in at 6-2, 305 pounds and does his best work clogging up running lanes at defensive tackle.
His experience would matter too, especially for a young group up front. Tennessee also lost Chaz Coleman, the 5-star Penn State transfer, which only adds to the need for help inside.
For now, though, this remains a fluid situation. Tennessee fans have been hoping for this for months, and with former NFL players now trying to make their own returns to college football, Moi’s name has naturally come back into the mix. Whether he actually pursues it is still the big question.
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