3 defining questions for Tennessee football entering Year 6 under Josh Heupel
By Ethan Stone
Published:
Football is everything in East Tennessee, and the unofficial start of the season kicks off tomorrow with Josh Heupel’s appearance at the podium during SEC Media Days in Tampa.
A lot has changed for the Volunteers this offseason. Tennessee will have a new defensive coordinator, a new starter at quarterback and a 9-game SEC schedule to navigate as the Vols face tough matchups at Georgia Tech, at Alabama, vs. Texas, vs. LSU and at Texas A&M, just to name a few.
As we near the start of the 2026 season, here are 3 defining questions for Tennessee football heading into Year 6 under Josh Heupel.
1. How will Tennessee respond if QB play is disappointing?
“Who’s going to win the QB job” has been done about 40 times… let’s switch it up a bit.
The question of the offseason for Tennessee has always been the quarterback position. The Vols failed to bring in a proven transfer to lead the offense and will instead rely on one of George MacIntyre, 5-star true freshman Faizon Brandon or Colorado transfer (and former backup) Ryan Staub.
The two frontrunners are MacIntyre — who is entering his second year in Knoxville — and Brandon, the No. 1 player in the Class of 2026 rankings per 247Sports.
I’m not interested in telling you who I think is going to win the job. Entering Week 1, neither will have seen significant action as an SEC starter, which means either playing exceptionally well right off the bat would come as a bit of a surprise. Far from an impossibility, of course, but a surprise.
Tennessee has seen disappointing QB play before under Josh Heupel. Nico Iamaleava wasn’t a complete train wreck in 2024, but his play could hardly be considered good by Heupel’s standards. Joe Milton was comparably average-to-below-average the year prior, and Tennessee’s offense was pretty tough to watch at times as a result.
While remaining confident in your QB1 is important, the Vols have to prepare for the possibility that Brandon or MacIntyre have a year like Milton in 2023 or Iamaleava in 2024. And considering Tennessee won 9 and 10 games in those seasons, respectively, Josh Heupel has proven he’s indeed capable of leading a solid team despite uninspiring QB play.
More good news: DeSean Bishop is one of the SEC’s top returning rushers, and an O-line comprised of David Sanders, Wendell Moe Jr., Jesse Perry, LSU transfer Ory Williams and center Sam Pendleton has top 10 potential on a national scale.
In addition, the Vols boast a strong set of receivers and tight ends. Mike Matthews and Braylon Staley are each threats to total 1,000 yards receiving in 2026, and I’ve always been a fan of 2nd year receiver Radarious Jackson out of Memphis, TN. DaSaahn Brame and Ethan Davis are set to hold down the TE position after flashing in 2025.
2. Who will be the most impactful transfer on defense?
Tennessee’s 2025 defense was disappointing after a solid season in 2024. Given the uncertainty at QB, that cannot be the case again in 2026.
The Vols finished last season 14th in the SEC in total defense, allowing 397 yards per game. Tennessee let go of defensive coordinator Tim Banks as a result, then hired former Ohio State and Penn State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles to come run the unit in 2026. Because of this and due to some NFL departures, there was roster turnover galore on that side of the ball this offseason.
Penn State transfer Chaz Coleman was expected to fill the void that Joshua Josephs left at edge rusher, but he was medically disqualified from the team a few weeks ago. For that reason, Tulane transfer Jordan Norman (6 sacks in 2025) is one to watch as the Vols attempt to find their starting LEO.
Amare Campbell could be Tennessee’s leading tackler when the season is all said and done. The former Penn State linebacker was a beast under Knowles in Happy Valley, totaling 103 tackles with 1 pass deflection and 3 sacks. He’s not a monster playmaker — don’t count on him to collect 5 interceptions and 3 forced fumbles this year — but he’s an elite tackler who hits hard and fits well alongside returner Arion Carter.
Finally, keep an eye on Auburn transfer Kayin Lee. The Auburn transfer is a multi-year starter with 81 tackles and 3 interceptions across his career, and he was listed as the No. 8 cornerback in the transfer portal when the Vols added him over Ohio State and Ole Miss.
The best of the transfer additions on defense may not have even been mentioned yet. Other names to keep in mind are Penn State transfer Xavier Gilliam in the middle, Kansas State safety Qua Moss — who could hold down the Vols’ STAR role — and former Michigan safety TJ Metcalf.
3. Will Cooper Ranvier be an improvement over Max Gilbert?
Being a college kicker a tough job that comes with immense pressure.
But a kicker’s only job is to put a ball through the uprights when called upon, and when you don’t cut it, you don’t cut it. Max Gilbert didn’t cut it for Tennessee last season.
How different does Tennessee’s 2025 campaign turn out if Gilbert nails that 43-yard kick with seconds left in regulation against Georgia? The Vols had the Bulldogs dead to rights in what would have been their first win over Georgia since 2016. Instead, the Vols lost their 9th straight to Georgia and missed out on a win that could have changed everything that early in the season.
Gilbert entered the portal this past offseason and is off to Arkansas. Looking to improve the position, the Vols snagged Louisville kicker Cooper Ranvier to hold it down in 2026.
On paper, Ranvier is a great addition for the Vols. As a freshman he hit 21 of his 25 attempts and missed just one kick under 50 yards. Like many kickers in college, he struggled above 50 yards, finishing 2-for-5.
It’s not for lack of a leg, though. I understand we’re talking about spring practice here, but this 50-yarder in April would have been good from 60 yards and then some:
Ethan Stone is a Tennessee graduate and loves all things college football and college basketball. Firm believer in fouling while up 3.
