It’s far too early to know what Tennessee’s 2027 roster will actually look like, but that doesn’t make the exercise any less fun. With NFL departures in mind - and the transfer portal left out of the equation for now - there’s already a rough picture of where the Vols could be headed.
At quarterback, the whole thing is a guessing game. Faizon Brandon is listed first in this projection, with George MacIntyre behind him and Ryan Staub in the mix as a fifth-year option.
That room could look completely different by then, though. Tennessee could bring all three back for another battle, or Brandon or MacIntyre could decide they want a reset somewhere else.
If there is another competition, the prediction here is that Brandon wins it again, but this is the hardest spot on the roster to call with any confidence.
Running back is much cleaner, assuming DeSean Bishop moves on to the NFL. The projection has five-star freshman David Gabriel Georges stepping right into the lead role, with Daune Morris and Javin Gordon also carving out plenty of work. If Bishop is gone, that would open the door for a new featured back quickly.
The receiver room could be one of the most interesting parts of the roster. Mike Matthews and Braylon Staley are both draft-eligible, and either one could choose to test the NFL waters.
If they come back, they’d be locked-in starters. If not, the door opens for the next wave, with TK Keys projected to slide into a starting spot on the outside.
Travis Smith Jr. is listed behind Matthews, while Joakim Dodson and Tyreek King are part of the slot mix. Radarious Jackson and freshman Kesean Bowman round out the outside depth.
The portal could matter a lot here, especially if Matthews or another depth piece decides to move on.
Tight end, though, looks like a strength. Ethan Davis has already announced he’s returning, and he’s projected to slide right back into a starting job.
Tennessee’s heavy use of 12 personnel should keep both Trent Thomas and Dasaahn Brame involved, too. That’s a group with real continuity.
Up front, the offensive line is where things could get messy. David Sanders Jr. is projected at left tackle and Sam Pendleton at center, while Jesse Perry is expected to start somewhere on the right side, either at guard or tackle.
Nic Moore is penciled in at left guard, with the possibility that he eventually moves to center once Pendleton’s eligibility runs out. The right guard spot looks wide open, and a portal addition could change the whole picture.
Ory Williams, Jeremias Heard, Antoni Ogumoro, Sham Umarov, Ed Baker and Gabe Osenda are all part of the depth picture in this projection.
On defense, the edge group could hinge on Tyree Weathersby’s decision. He’s having an incredible season and could be a candidate to leave for the NFL, but if he returns, he’d be right back in the starting picture. Mariyon Dye and Jordan Norman would also be major returnees, while Carson Gentle, Kedric Golston and Christian Gass are all expected to keep growing into bigger roles.
At defensive tackle, the projection assumes Xavier Gilliam is off to the pros as a projected first-round pick. That would leave Daevin Hobbs and Nathan Robinson as the clear starting duo, with JJ Finch, Ethan Utley and Isaiah Campbell forming a solid rotation behind them. This is another spot where Tennessee could still look to the portal for help, especially if backup departures hit.
Linebacker may be more about replacement than overhaul. Arion Carter could still come back, but the projection leans toward him heading to the draft.
Jeremiah Telander would keep his hybrid role, Edwin Spillman would take on Carter’s true linebacker snaps, and the younger players would get more chances. The biggest return here would be Amare Campbell, who is projected to be back for his final year.
Jadon Perlotte, Brayden Rouse and TJ White are also part of the mix.
The secondary could be one of the most volatile areas on the roster. Kayin Lee and Dejuan Lane have both played well enough to draw NFL attention, and if they return, they’d be starters without much debate.
Ty Redmond, Tre Poteat and Tim Merritt are projected at corner, with Jadais Richard and Jamyan Theodore also in the room. Qua Moss is listed at nickelback, with Tevis Metcalf behind him.
At safety, the projection has Lane and Edrees Farooq starting, with TJ Metcalf and Sidney Walton in reserve. If Lane comes back, that safety group would be crowded - and loaded.
In Other News...
Josh Heupel's Knoxville Visit Put Tennessee Fans On Manning Watch
Josh Heupels stop at Baylor School on Friday night had the kind of built-in intrigue Tennessee fans notice right away. The Vols coach was there for the game against Knox Catholic, where Baylor came away with a 21-7 win, and he took time to meet with freshman quarterback Marshall Manning, the son of Peyton Manning. Marshall is still early in his high school career, has only recently made his debut, and has seen limited action so far, but any appearance involving the Manning name tends to draw attention in Knoxville.
Heupel was not the only Tennessee staffer on hand, either. Running backs coach DeRail Sims was also in attendance to watch five-star commit David Gabriel Georges, who turned in a strong showing in the game. For Tennessee, it was a reminder that the recruiting trail and the Manning family continue to intersect in ways that keep Vols fans watching every sideline sighting a little more closely. [Read more 🡒]
Rick Barnes Sent Tennessee A Message They Couldn't Ignore
After preseason losses, Rick Barnes spent a long stretch with Tennessees basketball team in film, breaking down what winning basketball actually looks like and what the Volunteers were missing. The session lasted three and a half hours, and it was part teaching moment, part reset button for a group still trying to turn early lessons into habits before the games start to count.
Barnes said the response has shown up in practice and in a closed scrimmage against Davidson, where Tennessee looked more connected and more aware of what was happening around them on the floor. He has also made clear that the standard inside the program matters more than any outside ranking, which is the kind of message that tends to land when a coach believes his team is close to understanding what he wants. [Read more 🡒]
Tennessee's Five-Star RB Commit Just Gave Vols Fans Another Reason To Dream
The first Covenant Health Classic at Covenant Health Park had plenty of local intrigue, but the Tennessee staff had a very specific reason for being there. Josh Heupel and running backs coach DeRail Sims showed up to watch five-star commit David Gabriel-Georges, and the Baylor School standout delivered the kind of evening that keeps a fan base buzzing well beyond Friday night.
Gabriel-Georges ran for 247 yards and three touchdowns on just 12 carries in Baylors 21-7 win over Knoxville Catholic, helping the Red Raiders finish the regular season unbeaten and add another region championship to the rsum. For Tennessee, it was another reminder that the Vols have a prized back in the fold, and another reason to imagine what he could look like in orange down the line. [Read more 🡒]