Tennessee’s preseason buzz is showing up in the national honors, and Athlon Sports made that clear with its 2026 Preseason All-SEC Teams. The Vols landed 11 players across the four squads, a sign of how much proven talent is back in Knoxville heading into the 2026 season.
The headliner is offensive guard Wendell Moe Jr., who earned a spot on the first team after a strong first season with Tennessee. Moe transferred in from Arizona and immediately delivered, and now he’s back for his redshirt-senior year with even more recognition already attached to his name. He has also picked up a Walter Camp Preseason All-America Second-Team nod.
Tennessee’s biggest cluster of selections came on the second team, where three offensive players were honored. Running back DeSean Bishop made the list after topping 1,000 yards last season.
Wide receiver Braylon Staley also earned a second-team spot after being named SEC Freshman of the Year. Joining them is David Sanders Jr., the former five-star recruit who is moving back to left tackle after playing the right side as a freshman.
The second team also included two Tennessee defenders. Cornerback Ty Redmond was recognized after stepping into a major role when injuries hit Jermod McCoy and Rickey Gibson III. Linebacker Amare Campbell, a transfer from Penn State, rounded out that group.
Only one Vol appeared on the third team: linebacker Arion Carter. He’s set for his senior year after a winding offseason that included entering the draft, withdrawing his name, entering the transfer portal, and then removing his name from the portal.
Tennessee added four more names on the fourth team. On offense, that group includes wide receiver Mike Matthews, tight end Ethan Davis and versatile offensive lineman Jesse Perry. On defense, Penn State transfer defensive tackle Xavier Gilliam was also selected.
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Another Lady Vols Staff Change Just Raised A Bigger Concern
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For Tennessee, the bigger concern is not just turnover, but how often the program has had to reset around it. Tubners next stop adds another layer to that dynamic, especially with a transfer decision now tying him back into the same recruiting and roster conversations the Lady Vols are still navigating. Even after the staff changes were announced, the ripple effects of who left, who arrived and who followed are still being felt. [Read more 🡒]
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Tennessees 2026 Roster Already Looks Different Under New Strength Staff
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The changes are not all in one direction, either. Some players have added size and muscle, while others have trimmed down, including a few names across the defense and along the line. For Tennessee, the real intrigue is how those shifts will show up once camp opens and the roster starts to look less like a spreadsheet and more like a depth chart. [Read more 🡒]