Tennessee football is heading toward fall camp with plenty of buzz, but the Vols still have a few big roster questions hanging over the 2026 season.
The biggest one sits under center. Tennessee is down to two former five-star quarterbacks in the race to lead the offense: redshirt freshman George MacIntyre and true freshman Faizon Brandon.
It’s the kind of quarterback battle that could stretch on for a while, and it may end up shaping the entire season. Even if the decision doesn’t become public until around kickoff, Tennessee will want clarity sooner rather than later.
There’s also a major shakeup coming off the edge. The Vols went all in on Chaz Coleman this offseason, but he is not with the team and is not medically cleared for the 2026 season.
That leaves Tennessee searching again for answers at EDGE. Tyree Weathersby could be part of the starting mix there, and Jordan Norman looks like the player with the best chance to make a real impact on the other side.
Norman, a transfer from Tulane, was the writer’s personal MVP from the spring game and is viewed as a strong candidate to become a star for Tennessee.
Other names are in the mix too. Arion Carter is expected to get some snaps at edge, while Mariyon Dye, Christian Gass, and true freshman linebacker TJ White - who has worked at both EDGE and linebacker - could also factor into the competition.
Another question worth watching is how Tennessee handles its defensive back room after adding a wave of talent through the transfer portal and the high school ranks. Ty Redmond is expected to start at corner, but the depth chart behind him is less settled. Dylan Lewis, Tre Poteat, Timothy Merritt, and Sidney Walton are all players who could matter a lot for the Vols, even with newcomers like Kayin Lee, Qua Moss, and Dejuan Lane in the room.
If Tennessee rotates its defensive backs to keep everyone fresh, that group could end up in a strong spot. There are simply too many players who look too good to be buried on the sideline all season.
In Other News...
Neyland Just Gave Vol Fans The Proof Theyve Been Waiting For
Neyland Stadium has long had a reputation for rattling opponents, but the latest proof is hard to ignore. On3 Sports says Tennessees home field checked in at 137.0 decibels, the loudest college football stadium in the nation, a measurement that puts a number behind what Vol fans have been claiming for years.
The timing only adds to the buzz around Knoxville, where the home schedule gives Tennessee plenty of chances to turn that volume into an edge. SEC players already voted Neyland the toughest place to play in the league at SEC Media Days, and with a slate that includes several high-profile conference games, the stadiums noise is becoming part of the programs identity in a very public way. [Read more 🡒]
Faizon Brandon Is Already Giving Tennessee Fans Another Reason To Believe
As Tennessee gets ready to open fall camp, the quarterback conversation is already one of the biggest storylines on the roster, with true freshman Faizon Brandon set to compete against second-year George MacIntyre. That battle has plenty of intrigue on its own, but Brandon has already given fans a glimpse of the kind of presence he can bring off the field too, hosting a youth football camp at Anderson County High School and turning it into something bigger than a summer stop.
The camp drew a strong turnout from local kids, and the proceeds are going to the Tennessee Childrens Home, with Brandon planning to match the amount dollar for dollar. It fits neatly with the tone Josh Heupel struck at SEC Media Days, where he pointed to Tennessees recent history of handling new starters at quarterback and expressed confidence in the competition ahead. For a fan base looking for reasons to believe, Brandon is making an early impression in more ways than one. [Read more 🡒]
Tennessee Commit David Gabriel Georges Is Already Drawing Fierce Public Defense
David Gabriel-Georges arrived in Tennessees recruiting class with plenty of attention already attached, and not just because he is one of the more coveted running back prospects in the country. The five-star back chose the Volunteers over Ohio State and Ole Miss, a decision that gave Tennessee a major win on the trail and added another high-end piece to its future offense. He also comes with a rsum that includes being named MaxPreps National Player of the Year last season, which only raised the profile of his commitment.
The attention around Gabriel-Georges has not all been celebratory, though, as some online criticism has prompted family and school support to surface quickly in his defense. His uncle and Baylor High School head coach have both publicly backed him, pushing back on the noise and emphasizing the work habits and character that have helped make him such a sought-after recruit. For Tennessee, the football part of the story is obvious, but the broader conversation around its latest five-star pledge is still unfolding. [Read more 🡒]