Josh Heupel and Tennessee are about to take center stage at SEC Media Days, and the countdown is down to exactly two weeks.
The league’s annual preseason gathering runs July 20-23 in Tampa, FL, with four coaches scheduled to meet the media each day. Tennessee opens the event on Monday, July 20, alongside Oklahoma, Kentucky, and Missouri.
Heupel should have no shortage of topics waiting for him on the main stage. Tennessee’s offseason has been packed with change, which makes questions about the quarterback battle, the new defensive coordinator and defensive scheme, coaching changes, and strength program changes feel inevitable. There could also be some NIL discussion tied to Tennessee’s new Adidas partnership.
And because the national media will be in the room, the conversation is likely to widen beyond Tennessee. Expect questions about the overall state of college football, playoff expansion, NIL, rules, scheduling, and more.
There’s also a built-in Oklahoma angle. With the Sooners on the same day, Heupel could get questions about his time as a former Oklahoma championship-winning quarterback.
Tennessee still hasn’t announced which players will join Heupel in Tampa, but there are several names that fit the program’s usual approach. The Vols typically bring productive or veteran players, which makes DeSean Bishop, Arion Carter, Jeremiah Telander, Braylon Staley, David Sanders, and Ethan Davis all plausible options.
The SEC’s lineup also features a number of new faces in new places this year. Arkansas’ Ryan Silverfield, Auburn’s Alex Golesh, Kentucky’s Will Stein, and Florida’s Jon Sumrall are all set for their first season in the league after coming from different conferences. Lane Kiffin will make his national media debut with LSU, and Ole Miss will also be represented at SEC Media Days for the first time with Pete Golding as head coach.
Here’s how the week is set up:
Monday, July 20th
Tennessee, HC Josh Heupel
Oklahoma, HC Brent Venables
Kentucky, HC Will Stein
Missouri, HC Eli Drinkwitz
Tuesday, July 21st
Auburn, HC Alex Golesh
South Carolina, HC Shane Beamer
Vanderbilt, HC Clark Lea
Georgia, HC Kirby Smart
Wednesday, July 22nd
Alabama, HC Kalen DeBoer
Florida, HC Jon Sumrall
Texas A&M, HC Mike Elko
Ole Miss, HC Pete Golding
Thursday, July 23rd
Mississippi State, HC Jeff Lebby
LSU, HC Lane Kiffin
Texas, HC Steve Sarkisian
Arkansas, HC Ryan Silverfield
In Other News...
Vols And Lady Vols Just Put Tennessee Orange Front And Center
Tennessee Athletics spent the week putting a brighter shade of orange in the spotlight, rolling out new adidas uniforms across a wide swath of its programs. The reveal came with high-definition photos and detailed looks at football, mens basketball, Lady Vols basketball, baseball, softball, volleyball and soccer, giving fans a first real glimpse at how the new partnership is going to show up on the field and the court.
For coaches and athletic officials, the uniforms were only part of the message. The broader adidas deal was framed as a resource boost for the department, with leaders talking up the support and investment that could come with it. The visual reset is already doing its job, but the bigger question is how quickly that momentum turns into something more meaningful for Tennessees programs. [Read more 🡒]
Tennessees Offensive Line Just Earned The Kind Of SEC Respect That Matters
With Tennessee likely turning to a new quarterback this season, the Volunteers are leaning on the one part of the offense that already looks established. Most of the offensive line is back, and that matters even more when the next passer in line is expected to be either George MacIntyre or Faizon Brandon, two young quarterbacks with limited college experience. In a league where protection and communication can make or break a season, Tennessees front has already drawn notice as one of the better units in the SEC.
Analyst Steven Lassan ranked the Vols line third in the conference, behind Georgia and Texas, which is the kind of recognition that usually comes with proven depth and continuity. Offensive line coach Glen Elarbee has also seen the benefit in spring practice, where returning pieces and experienced transfers have let the group move faster than a typical rebuild. The bigger question now is how that early stability translates once the games start and the pressure falls on a quarterback who has not taken many college snaps. [Read more 🡒]
Tennessees First Orange Adidas Uniform Reveal Will Have Vols Talking
The first look at Tennessees orange home uniforms under Adidas has already given Vols fans a fresh talking point as the program opens a new chapter in its apparel partnership. The reveal marks the start of the Adidas era for Tennessee football, with the university rolling out the new look as part of a broader week of uniform unveilings and a July 10 date set for jerseys and merchandise to hit the market.
Josh Heupel has sounded upbeat about what the partnership can bring, pointing to the resources Adidas can provide and the reach of the Tennessee brand. More designs are still on the way, including white, Summitt Blue and Dark Mode looks, and the real intrigue now is how all of it will translate once the Vols start showing off the full set this fall. [Read more 🡒]