Updated Friday, September 4, 2026, ahead of the Furman opener. Josh Heupel is holding Tennessee’s official depth chart until game day for the second straight year, so this is the projected two deep from camp reporting. It is updated once the official chart is out and after every game.
No. 20 Tennessee starts a true freshman at quarterback, five star Faizon Brandon, the only starter Heupel has publicly named. The other new piece is defensive coordinator Jim Knowles, who brought three Penn State starters with him. Per Heupel, the only real mysteries left are the right side of the offensive line and the third receiver, and both will rotate against Furman.
Offense
| Position | Starter | Backup | Third |
|---|---|---|---|
| QB | Faizon Brandon (Fr.) | George MacIntyre | Ryan Staub |
| RB | DeSean Bishop | Javin Gordon | Daune Morris |
| WR (outside) | Mike Matthews | TK Keys (Fr.) | — |
| WR (slot) | Braylon Staley | Joakim Dodson | — |
| WR (outside) | Radarious Jackson OR Travis Smith | TK Keys | — |
| TE | Ethan Davis OR DaSaahn Brame | Trent Thomas | — |
| LT | David Sanders | Ory Williams | — |
| LG | Wendell Moe | Sham Umarov | — |
| C | Sam Pendleton | Nic Moore | — |
| RG | Jesse Perry OR Sham Umarov | Donovan Haslam | — |
| RT | Ory Williams OR Jesse Perry | — | — |
Defense
| Position | Starter | Backup | Third |
|---|---|---|---|
| DT | Daevin Hobbs (foot) | Ethan Utley OR Isaiah Campbell | — |
| DT | Xavier Gilliam | Nathan Robinson | JJ Finch |
| DE | Tyree Weathersby | Mariyon Dye | — |
| EDGE | Jordan Norman | Christian Gass OR Kedric Golston | — |
| LB | Edwin Spillman (Week 1); Arion Carter (suspended Week 1) | Jadon Perlotte | — |
| LB | Amare Campbell OR Jeremiah Telander | — | — |
| CB | Kayin Lee | Tre Poteat | — |
| CB | Ty Redmond | Tim Merritt | — |
| Nickel | Qua Moss | Isaiah Hardge | — |
| S | TJ Metcalf | DJ Burks OR Sidney Walton | — |
| S | Dejuan Lane | Dylan Lewis | Edrees Farooq (out, knee) |
Position Breakdown
Quarterback. Brandon becomes the 14th true freshman to start at quarterback for Tennessee. Heupel will let him work through mistakes; George MacIntyre is the backup and will play in the opener. Colorado transfer Ryan Staub is third.
Running back. DeSean Bishop returns as an All SEC 1,000 yard rusher. Tulane transfer Javin Gordon is the likely No. 2, with Daune Morris a big play option who could turn it into a three man rotation.
Receiver. Mike Matthews outside and Braylon Staley, the 2025 SEC Freshman of the Year, in the slot are set. The third spot is Radarious Jackson OR Travis Smith and will be decided over the three nonconference games; five star freshman TK Keys is behind both.
Tight end. Ethan Davis is the weapon when healthy but was limited in camp, opening the door for DaSaahn Brame. South Alabama transfer Trent Thomas is the blocker.
Offensive line. David Sanders moves from right tackle to left, with All SEC guard Wendell Moe and Sam Pendleton at center. The right side is the puzzle: Jesse Perry can play guard or tackle, LSU transfer Ory Williams is competing at right tackle, and Sham Umarov is the safe option at either guard. Tennessee switched the right side combination during the final scrimmage and will rotate against Furman.
Defensive line. Penn State transfer Xavier Gilliam is probably the best lineman on the roster and now works under Rodney Garner. Daevin Hobbs is dealing with a foot injury. Tyree Weathersby is due for a breakout at end and Tulane transfer Jordan Norman is the edge rusher.
Linebacker. All SEC linebacker Arion Carter serves a one game NCAA suspension (reduced from more) and returns for Georgia Tech, so Edwin Spillman, whom Knowles recruited to Ohio State, starts the opener. Amare Campbell played 769 snaps in Knowles’ scheme at Penn State and competes with returning starter Jeremiah Telander.
Secondary. Auburn transfer Kayin Lee (25 career starts) and Ty Redmond, a third team All SEC pick as a freshman, are the corners. Kansas State transfer Qua Moss is the nickel and possibly the punt returner. Penn State transfer Dejuan Lane replaced Edrees Farooq, lost for the season to a knee injury in August, next to Michigan transfer TJ Metcalf.
The Bottom Line
Tennessee’s season rests on a true freshman quarterback behind an offensive line that is still sorting its right side, and a new coordinator installing his defense with the players he coached last year at Penn State. The opener is previewed at Furman vs. Tennessee and the full slate is on our Tennessee schedule. This page is updated when the official chart drops Saturday and after every game.