Tennessee fans, mark your calendars: the 2026 Orange & White Game is officially set for Saturday, April 11. While kickoff time is still TBD, one thing is already confirmed - admission is free. That’s right, free football in Neyland this spring.
This year’s spring game carries a little more weight than usual, and not just because it’s another chance to see how the Vols are shaping up under head coach Josh Heupel in what’s shaping up to be a pivotal sixth season. It’s also the first time in years that Neyland Stadium won’t be dealing with construction-related attendance limitations. After years of reduced capacity due to renovations, fans should finally get to pack the house again for the annual intrasquad scrimmage.
The Vols are currently grinding through their third week of winter workouts after returning from a brief break following the Music City Bowl. Spring practice officially kicks off on March 16, right after the university’s spring break - and that’s when the real evaluations begin.
Of course, it’s hard to talk about Tennessee’s spring game without revisiting the chaos of last year. The 2025 Orange & White Game was overshadowed by the sudden departure of quarterback Nico Iamaleava, who skipped practice the day before and left the program the morning of the game. That left Tennessee scrambling at the most important position on the field.
Enter Joey Aguilar. The veteran stepped in and steadied the ship, putting together a strong 2025 campaign.
He completed 272 of 404 passes for 3,565 yards, 24 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions, while also adding 101 rushing yards and four scores on the ground. But now, Aguilar’s eligibility is in limbo.
He’s currently suing the NCAA in Knox County Court, seeking a sixth year of eligibility. The outcome of that legal battle will have a major impact on Tennessee’s quarterback room.
If Aguilar’s appeal is denied, the Vols will be looking at a three-man competition featuring redshirt freshman George MacIntye, true freshman Faizon Brandon, and Colorado transfer Ryan Staub. None of the three have taken meaningful snaps in orange, so there’s plenty of intrigue - and uncertainty - heading into spring.
Tennessee is coming off an 8-5 season (4-4 in SEC play), but that record doesn’t tell the full story. All five losses came against FBS teams with winning records, and the Vols struggled to break through against top-tier competition. Their best wins came on the road at Mississippi State and Florida - solid victories, but not exactly resume-defining.
That’s why this spring - and this season - matters so much. Heupel is entering year six, and while the offensive side of the ball remains mostly intact, the defense is undergoing a major facelift.
Tennessee brought in a new coordinator in Jim Knowles and overhauled the defensive roster. There’s cautious optimism that Knowles can elevate a unit that struggled in 2025, but with so many new faces, it’s fair to expect some growing pains early on.
The offense, meanwhile, has continuity at nearly every spot - except quarterback. And in the SEC, that’s a big “except.” Until Tennessee knows who’s taking the snaps, it’s hard to project just how far this team can go.
The Orange & White Game will offer the first real glimpse at how things are coming together. Whether it’s Aguilar under center or one of the young guns, fans will be watching closely. Because in Knoxville, expectations are always high - and this spring, the stakes might be even higher.