Tennessee fans, mark your calendars: the 2026 Orange and White Spring Game is set for April 11 at Neyland Stadium. Admission will be free, and while kickoff time is still to be announced, the date signals the official return of football on Rocky Top - and with it, a new chapter for a program aiming to bounce back after a turbulent 2025.
After an 8-5 finish last season that left the Vols unranked in both major polls for the first time in four years, Josh Heupel’s squad is looking to reestablish itself as a contender in the SEC. The road to redemption begins March 16, when Tennessee opens spring practice with four straight weeks of workouts leading up to the spring game. And there’s no shortage of intrigue on either side of the ball.
Quarterback Battle Looms Large
Let’s start with the biggest question: who’s taking the snaps in 2026?
Joey Aguilar, who started for the Vols in 2025, is currently in a legal battle with the NCAA over his eligibility. He’s hoping to return for one more season, and a decision is expected before spring practice kicks off. If he wins that case, the job is likely his - a veteran presence who knows the system and has already led this team through the fire.
But if Aguilar is ruled ineligible, things get a lot more interesting - and a lot younger. Redshirt freshman George MacIntyre, five-star newcomer Faizon Brandon, and Colorado transfer Ryan Staub will all be in the mix.
That’s a trio with plenty of upside but very little experience. MacIntyre has had a year to get acclimated, Brandon brings elite talent and hype, and Staub adds a different look with Power Five reps under his belt.
The spring reps will be critical in sorting out the pecking order.
A New Era on Defense Under Jim Knowles
On the other side of the ball, Tennessee is undergoing a transformation. Enter Jim Knowles, the Vols’ new defensive coordinator, who brings a reputation for aggressive, disruptive schemes. He’s got a fresh canvas to work with - and a lot of new paint.
UT brought in 20 players from the transfer portal, many of whom are expected to compete for starting roles right away. That influx of talent gives Knowles the chance to shape the defense in his image from day one. Expect to see a unit that plays fast, attacks the line of scrimmage, and looks to create chaos - a stark contrast to the bend-but-don’t-break approach Tennessee has leaned on in recent years.
Adding to the mix are 24 early enrollees from the 2026 signing class. These freshmen will get their first taste of college football during spring practice, and while they may not all see the field this fall, the development starts now. For a coaching staff looking to build depth and competition across the board, their presence is a big deal.
What to Watch This Spring
This spring is about more than just reps and installs - it’s about identity. Tennessee is trying to reassert itself in a conference that only gets tougher by the year.
The quarterback situation will dominate headlines, but don’t overlook the importance of the defensive reset under Knowles. With so many new faces and fresh energy on both sides of the ball, the Orange and White Game won’t just be a scrimmage - it’ll be the first real look at a team trying to turn the page.
April 11 can’t come soon enough.