Tennessee safety T.J. Metcalf doesn’t need a scouting report on Arch Manning. He’s already lined up against him.
As the No. 13 Vols get ready to host No.
1 Texas on Sept. 26 at Neyland Stadium, the Michigan transfer is one of the few players in orange with recent firsthand experience facing the Longhorns quarterback. Tennessee and Texas haven’t met in 57 years, so familiarity is thin.
Metcalf has at least seen Manning up close, and he came away impressed.
Metcalf faced Manning in the 2025 Cheez-It Citrus Bowl on Dec. 31 in Orlando, Florida, a 41-27 Texas win. Manning put together one of the best games of his career, throwing and running for 376 combined yards and accounting for four total touchdowns. Metcalf did his part on defense, finishing with seven tackles to tie for the team lead and breaking up a pass, but Manning still left a strong impression.
"He's a very great athlete. Got to keep him sound," Metcalf said on Sept.
- "He can make a lot of great throws.
Like I said, he's a great athlete, and I feel like he's a good player. He sees the game.
That's something I respect about him."
That dual-threat ability is exactly what makes this matchup tricky for Tennessee. Metcalf said containing Texas means staying disciplined against both the pass and the run, because Manning can hurt a defense in either direction.
"You definitely do need to read and run and pass, knowing he got the ability to scramble," Metcalf said. "So just having clean feet, clean eyes, reading the right keys and know that he's able to escape the pocket. Being aware of that, I've got to get my cleats in the grass and be ready to make a tackle."
Manning’s targets in that Citrus Bowl included Ryan Wingo and Emmett Mosley V, who are back at Texas and part of a receiving group that also includes Auburn transfer Cam Coleman. That only adds to the challenge for Tennessee’s secondary, which will see one of the country’s most dangerous passing attacks.
Heupel sees more than talent when he looks at Manning. The Tennessee coach pointed to the quarterback’s resilience and competitive edge, using Texas’ performance against Ohio State as an example.
"I think you can go back to the Ohio State game, his ability and his team's ability to be resilient, to keep playing the next play, to be in a situation like that and be able to fight back tells you about their competitive makeup," Heupel said.
Manning is being talked about as a likely No. 1 overall pick in the 2027 NFL Draft, but Metcalf said Tennessee’s defense trusts its structure and approach. He said defensive coordinator Jim Knowles puts players in position to feel comfortable, and the rest comes down to execution.
"(Defensive coordinator Jim) Knowles does a great job scheming up who we play, making us comfortable in his play calling," Metcalf said. "So all we got to do is just go out there and play ball, be fearless."
In Other News...
College GameDay Guest Picker For Tennessee Texas Could Spark Vols Debate
ESPNs College GameDay is headed to Knoxville for Tennessees showdown with Texas on Sept. 26, and the familiar guessing game is already underway around who will handle the celebrity guest picker role. When the show comes to a host campus, it usually leans into local flavor, and Tennessee has no shortage of recognizable names to choose from after years of memorable selections that mixed sports, music and comedy.
Rick Barnes, Bianca Belair, Candace Parker and Kenny Chesney are among the names being floated, which gives the Vols plenty to debate before the cameras ever arrive. The decision will matter less for the picks than for the vibe, since GameDay guest spots tend to become part of the weekends identity, especially when a major SEC matchup brings the kind of attention Knoxville is about to get. [Read more 🡒]
Former Vol Kaleb Beasley Is Creating An Uncomfortable Tennessee Question
Kaleb Beasleys move from Tennessee to Louisville has already turned into one of those transfer stories that lingers a little longer for Vols fans. The Nashville product was once viewed as a highly rated local recruit, and after spending time as a backup safety in Knoxville, he has started to find a bigger stage elsewhere. His recent showing in Louisvilles win over SMU made sure the attention followed him, because he was all over the field and came away with a performance that drew national and conference recognition.
For Tennessee, the uncomfortable part is simple: Beasley is suddenly looking like the kind of defensive back the Vols could have used. He led Louisville in tackles and picked off two passes in that game, then added the Walter Camp National Defensive Player of the Week and ACC Defensive Back of the Week honors to the resume. When a former in-state recruit starts stacking that kind of production after leaving town, it naturally invites a second look at how his path unfolded and what it means for the roster Tennessee is trying to build now. [Read more 🡒]
Rick Barnes Just Added More Emotion To Tennessee Vs Texas
Rick Barnes added a little more emotion to an already charged matchup by leaning into the history on both sides before Tennessee meets Texas. The Volunteers coach spent 17 years running the Longhorns program, so his perspective on this one comes with a built-in layer of familiarity, and he made clear he still carries good memories from that time while also showing appreciation for the athletic directors at both schools.
Barnes, though, left no doubt where his focus sits now. Ahead of the game, he spoke as a coach invested in Tennessee and its basketball program, which gives this meeting a little extra edge beyond the usual nonconference intrigue. For Tennessee fans, it is another reminder that this game is more than a reunion for Barnes, even if the details of that Texas connection still linger in the background. [Read more 🡒]