Tennessee may still be sorting out who takes the first snap at quarterback, but the protection in front of that player is looking awfully sturdy.
That’s the big reason Glen Elarbee’s offensive line has been drawing attention all offseason. The Vols bring back a loaded group, and the mix starts with sophomore David Sanders Jr., who is sliding back to his natural left tackle spot. Inside, Sam Pendleton and Wendell Moe give Tennessee a solid base, while Jesse Perry brings the kind of versatility that lets the staff move pieces around without losing much.
SEC Network analyst Matt Stinchcomb put the unit at No. 3 in the SEC, and his reasoning was rooted in continuity and growth.
“What you point to there is greater consistency from a personnel standpoint and I think drastic improvements,” Stinchcomb said while breaking down the Vols’ unit. “David Sanders, last year, one of the most coveted offensive linemen coming out of high school.
He worked his way into the starting lineup (in 2025)… This is an offensive line-friendly system. You’re able to run the football a lot.
They use tempo to their advantage. So, yes.
Question marks at quarterback, but known commodities - again, Glen Elarbee back as offensive line coach, as he should be. A really innovative thinker there.
And DeSean Bishop carrying the football. So, they’ll figure it out at quarterback, but offensive line’s really going to help them out.”
The left side feels the most settled right now, with Sanders at left tackle, Wendell Moe at left guard, and Sam Pendleton at center. The right side carries a little more mystery, but Tennessee has options there, too. Jesse Perry handled snaps at both right guard and right tackle last season, and his flexibility gives the staff room to sort through combinations involving Ory Williams, Donovan Haslam, and Sham Umarov.
One widely discussed setup has Perry at right guard and Williams at right tackle.
“We definitely have options, I feel like,” OL coach Glen Elarbee said last week. “But if I’m just sitting there and looking at every single one of them, this would definitely be one of the years that we’ve probably had the most competition and options, especially returning guys, guys we brought in, the young guys, developing. It’s like anything, if you have competition, I think it will end up making us better, period, for sure.”
Elarbee added that it would be “fair” to say Tennessee has more depth at guard than it has had in the past.
That matters because the quarterback situation remains unsettled between George MacIntyre and Faizon Brandon. Whoever wins the job will be stepping into an offense that can lean on its line, a thousand-yard rusher, and a capable receiver role. That kind of support doesn’t solve every issue, but it does make life a lot easier for a young quarterback.
Tennessee still has a question to answer under center. Up front, though, the Vols have built a unit strong enough to calm a lot of the noise.
In Other News...
Tennessee Running Back Battle Just Got More Interesting After Closed Scrimmage
Tennessees closed scrimmage at Neyland Stadium offered a glimpse into a running back group that is still sorting itself out behind starter DeSean Bishop. Among the names drawing attention was Daune Morris, whose recent press conference with running backs coach DeRail Sims added to the sense that he is pushing for a bigger role after a strong showing in the team setting.
Morris has been presented as more than just a traditional back, with Sims and the player himself discussing how his game can translate in different ways. For a Tennessee offense looking to build reliable depth and keep defenses guessing, that kind of versatility matters, and it makes the competition for snaps behind Bishop even more intriguing as the Vols keep evaluating their options. [Read more 🡒]
Tennessee Alabama Rivalry Just Got A Tradition Vols Fans Will Love
The Tennessee-Alabama rivalry is getting a visual jolt for the next two seasons, with the longtime foes agreeing to bring back a tradition that should make the games feel even bigger. Alabama will wear its crimson home jerseys in Knoxville on Oct. 17, while Tennessee will get the same treatment in Tuscaloosa next year, setting up a classic look for one of the SECs most watched matchups.
It is also a reminder of how much history still hangs over this series, especially in Knoxville, where both teams will wear home jerseys in Neyland Stadium for the first time since 1970. For Tennessee fans, the orange against crimson adds a little extra edge to a rivalry that already carries plenty of weight, and it gives the next two meetings a throwback feel before either team takes the field. [Read more 🡒]
Furman Just Added An Unexpected Week 1 Wrinkle For Tennessee
Furman has already added a little more intrigue to Tennessees Week 1 opener by announcing Jake Garcia will start at quarterback against the Volunteers. Garcia brings a resume that includes time as a highly rated high school recruit, along with multiple transfers and experience at the Power Five level, which gives Furman a different kind of threat than the typical FCS opponent.
Tennessee is still expected to win the game, but Garcias background makes this one feel a bit less routine than a standard season opener. For a defense that will want to settle in early, the challenge is not just handling a smaller-school opponent, but figuring out a quarterback who has seen a lot of football environments already and wont be overwhelmed by the moment. [Read more 🡒]