Tennessee is two-thirds of the way through its 2026 regular season, and that gives the numbers a little more shape now. With eight games in the book, the pace math gets pretty simple: divide the current totals in half, then add that to the original number. That’s where several key Vols are tracking if they keep rolling for the rest of the 12-game slate.
Start with DeSean Bishop, who is stacking up one of the biggest workloads on the roster. Through eight games, he has 171 carries for 957 rushing yards and 11 rushing touchdowns, plus 9 catches for 64 yards.
Project that out and he lands at 257 carries, 1,436 rushing yards and 17 rushing touchdowns, along with 14 receptions for 96 receiving yards. Those numbers would also put him in striking distance of some notable program marks. 257 carries would be the sixth-most in a single season in program history, behind Travis Stephens (291), Montario Hardesty (282), Jalen Hurd (277), Jay Graham (272) and Dylan Sampson (258).
His 1,436 rushing yards would check in as the fourth-most in program history, behind Dylan Sampson (1,491), Travis Stephens (1,464) and Jay Graham (1,438). And 17 rushing touchdowns would tie for the third-most in program history, behind Dylan Sampson (22) and Gene McEver (18) and tied with Reggie Cobb.
The defensive front is producing some eye-catching pace numbers too. Xavier Gilliam has posted 26 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss, 6 sacks and 2 forced fumbles, which puts him on pace for 39 tackles, 17 tackles for loss, 9 sacks and 3 forced fumbles.
Tyree Weathersby has been even more disruptive off the edge on a per-game basis, with 19 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss and 7 sacks through eight games. That pace works out to 29 tackles, 13 tackles for loss and 10.5 sacks.
If he gets more football after the regular season, that sack total could climb even higher. 10.5 sacks would be the eighth-most in a single season in program history behind Reggie White (15), Jonanthan Brown (13.5), Derek Barnett (13), John Henderson (12), Todd Kelly (11), Leonard Little (11) and Curt Maggitt (11).
There’s also production showing up at receiver, linebacker and safety. Mike Matthews has 34 catches for 528 receiving yards and 4 total touchdowns, which projects to 51 receptions, 792 receiving yards and 6 total touchdowns.
Amare Campbell has put up 52 tackles, 8 tackles for loss and 3 sacks, putting him on pace for 78 tackles, 12 tackles for loss and 5 sacks. And Dejuan Lane has been active all over the field with 36 tackles, 5 tackles for loss, 2 sacks and 3 interceptions, a pace that points to 54 tackles, 8 tackles for loss, 3 sacks and 5 interceptions.
Of course, those projections could still move if Tennessee adds more games after the regular season. That matters most when the numbers start brushing against the record book.
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Kentuckys Latest Flex Is Getting Mocked Before Tennessee Even Sees Them
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For Tennessee fans, it is just the latest reminder that the rivalry is already active in October, long before the games count. Kentucky enters the year ranked No. 23 in the preseason AP Top 25, and with two meetings on the schedule, the Volunteers will have their chances to answer on the floor rather than in the comment section. [Read more 🡒]