Tennessee’s tight end room took a hit after the win at Georgia Tech, but Alec Abeln isn’t dwelling on what was lost so much as what remains - and on what Ethan Davis still means to the program even while he’s sidelined.
Davis suffered an ACL injury that will keep him out for the rest of the 2026 season, a tough break after the starting tight end opened the year with a burst. Through Tennessee’s first two games, he caught the first touchdown in both outings and finished with three receptions for 43 yards and two scores in wins over Furman and Georgia Tech.
Even with the injury, Davis already announced he’ll be back at Tennessee for his fifth season next year. Abeln made clear how much that means inside the building.
“There’s a lot of things wrong in college football these days,” Abeln said. “I think Ethan is a great example of what’s still good about it and he loves this place.
He loves his teammates. He’s worked his butt off.
He’s been extremely loyal, put his head down and grinded. Absolutely sucks that he doesn’t get the opportunity to go show his growth this year, but could not be more excited to see him back.
He’ll be better than ever when he gets back.”
That loss matters because Davis was Tennessee’s clear top option at tight end based on experience. Last season, while backing up Miles Kitselman, he posted 21 catches for 257 yards and two touchdowns in nine games. He also became a much better blocker in the core, and his strongest receiving performances came when Kitselman was out at Florida and again against Vanderbilt.
With Davis unavailable, Tennessee leaned on a different group in Saturday’s win over Kennesaw State. Dasaahn Brame, Trent Thomas and Luca Wolf handled most of the work, while Cole Harrison played three snaps and Drake Martinez remains another option.
Abeln said he believes the room can keep moving forward.
“I mean, obviously, (Ethan Davis is) a special player, so I’m not gonna sit here and say it doesn’t change us a little bit,” Abeln said. “But do have a lot of confidence in the guys in the room.
I mean, every time Trent Thomas has touched the ball, he’s made somebody miss or broken a tackle. I think we all know what can Dasaahn can do.
And same with Luca. I think he’s talented in space.
I don’t think there’s a huge drop-off as far as what we’re able to do with it. Obviously you wish you had E, but it’s next man up.”
Tennessee now turns to Texas on Saturday. Kickoff is set for noon ET on ABC, with College GameDay on site and a Checker Neyland crowd expected, too.
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