The final week of NFL preseason action brings a familiar cluster of former Tennessee football standouts onto the field Thursday night, with several ex-Vols spread across four games.
One of the names drawing the most attention is rookie cornerback Jermod McCoy. After standing out in 2024, he missed the 2025 season with the Vols because of injury, and now he’s set to play in his third preseason game with the Raiders. Las Vegas will also have second-year wide receiver Dont’e Thornton in the lineup.
The Browns are carrying three former Tennessee players in their game against New England: defensive end Derek Barnett, running back Dylan Sampson and wide receiver Cedric Tillman. The Rams also have a trio of VFLs on their roster for Thursday night, with safety Jaylen McCollough, defensive tackle Jaxson Moi and outside linebacker Byron Young.
Buffalo has one former Vol in action, wide receiver Joshua Palmer, when the Bills face Pittsburgh.
Here’s the full rundown of Tennessee alumni scheduled for Thursday’s preseason games:
Pittsburgh Steelers at Buffalo Bills (7 p.m. ET - NFL Network)
Pittsburgh Steelers: None
Buffalo Bills: WR Joshua Palmer
New England Patriots at Cleveland Browns (8 p.m. ET - Prime Video)
New England Patriots: None
Cleveland Browns: DE Derek Barnett, RB Dylan Sampson, WR Cedric Tillman
San Francisco 49ers at Las Vegas Raiders (8 p.m. ET - ESPN Unlimited)
San Francisco 49ers: DT Bryson Eason
Las Vegas Raiders: CB Jermod McCoy, WR Dont’e Thornton Jr.
Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Chargers (10 p.m. ET - NFL Network)
Los Angeles Rams: S Jaylen McCollough, DT Jaxson Moi, OLB Bryson Eason
Los Angeles Chargers: None
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Kedric Golston II has spent the spring trying to carve out his own place in Tennessees defense, and the early signs have been encouraging. The freshman edge rusher arrives with a familiar football name, but he has been making his case on the field rather than leaning on the resume of his father, former NFL defensive tackle Kedric Golston. His work in practice has been noticeable enough to draw attention from the Vols staff as he adjusts to the speed and detail of college football.
At Tennessees Orange & White Game, Golston picked up first-team reps at the LEO spot, a meaningful step for a player still settling into the program. Defensive line coach Rodney Garner and LEOs coach Andrew Jackson have both praised his skills and development, which puts him squarely in the conversation as Tennessee looks ahead to the 2026 season. The question now is how quickly that spring momentum turns into a real role once the Vols get deeper into the year. [Read more 🡒]
Tennessee Football Fans Will Want To See This TSSAA Recruiting Ruling
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The ruling brings no postseason ban and no practice restrictions for Clarksville Academy in the 2026 season, but the program will lose six of its 12 offseason practices in 2027. Because the school self-reported the violation, the case ended without the harsher penalties that can follow these kinds of findings, though any transfer into Clarksville Academy by the athlete involved would still trigger a 12-month ineligibility period. [Read more 🡒]
Faizon Brandons First Tennessee Start Comes With One Big Concern
A true freshman will take the first snap of Tennessees 2026 season, with Faizon Brandon earning the starting quarterback job over sophomore George MacIntyre after an impressive preseason. Josh Heupel has publicly praised Brandons overall body of work, and the timing gives the Vols a chance to see what the young passer can handle right away when Furman comes to Neyland Stadium on Sept. 5.
Phillip Fulmers recent reminder about the importance of defense frames the challenge ahead for Tennessee just as much as the quarterback decision does. Brandons talent got him the job, but the opener will be about how much support he gets around him as a first-time starter, and whether the Vols can keep the pressure off him long enough for his debut to feel manageable. [Read more 🡒]