Tennessee’s offense may be breaking in a new quarterback, but the Vols are set up to make that transition a lot easier up front.
That’s where the real confidence lives right now. Tennessee lost only one starter from last season’s offensive line, with Lance Heard heading to Kentucky, and the group looks ready to be a strength again. The projected lineup has David Sanders Jr. at left tackle, Ory Williams at right tackle, Sam Pendleton at center, Wendell Moe Jr. at guard and either Jesse Perry or Sham Umarov at the other guard spot.
That kind of continuity is part of why the unit is already drawing national respect. During an appearance on That SEC Podcast, Steven Lassan ranked Tennessee’s offensive line No. 3 in the SEC, putting the Vols behind only Georgia and Texas.
SEC Offensive Line Rankings by @AthlonSteven
#1 Georgia: “I think Georgia is the clear No. 1 OLine in the SEC”
#2 Texas: “I’m going to bank on this unit being better this year.”
#3 Tennessee: “Love this OLine, think it’s one of the best in the country” pic.twitter.com/iS16fvQpVq
- SEC Mike (@MichaelWBratton) June 18, 2026
Tennessee’s spring work also got a boost from the fact that so much of the group was already in place. Williams is the newcomer most likely to start, but he brings SEC experience with him after transferring from LSU.
“You get to get into a little bit more of some of the details earlier, than we did last year,” Tennessee offenisve line coach Glen Elarbee said. “Last year, it was trying to make sure everybody knew where to go and getting as much technique, and then obviously the effort.
I feel like we’re able to be a little bit more advanced faster because of those guys. It’s kinda helped accelerate some of the young guys, too, because they can pick up on it faster as they see it happen.
Like they know what it should look like.”
The depth behind the projected starters is part of the appeal too. West Virginia transfer Donovan Haslam, five-star freshman tackle Gabe Osenda, interior lineman Antoni Ogumoro, center Nic Moore and others give Tennessee more options if injuries or competition change the picture.
In Other News...
Vols And Lady Vols Just Put Tennessee Orange Front And Center
Tennessee Athletics spent the week putting a brighter shade of orange in the spotlight, rolling out new adidas uniforms across a wide swath of its programs. The reveal came with high-definition photos and detailed looks at football, mens basketball, Lady Vols basketball, baseball, softball, volleyball and soccer, giving fans a first real glimpse at how the new partnership is going to show up on the field and the court.
For coaches and athletic officials, the uniforms were only part of the message. The broader adidas deal was framed as a resource boost for the department, with leaders talking up the support and investment that could come with it. The visual reset is already doing its job, but the bigger question is how quickly that momentum turns into something more meaningful for Tennessees programs. [Read more 🡒]
Tennessees First Orange Adidas Uniform Reveal Will Have Vols Talking
The first look at Tennessees orange home uniforms under Adidas has already given Vols fans a fresh talking point as the program opens a new chapter in its apparel partnership. The reveal marks the start of the Adidas era for Tennessee football, with the university rolling out the new look as part of a broader week of uniform unveilings and a July 10 date set for jerseys and merchandise to hit the market.
Josh Heupel has sounded upbeat about what the partnership can bring, pointing to the resources Adidas can provide and the reach of the Tennessee brand. More designs are still on the way, including white, Summitt Blue and Dark Mode looks, and the real intrigue now is how all of it will translate once the Vols start showing off the full set this fall. [Read more 🡒]