Predicting Tennessee Football's Depth Chart Following Second Fall Scrimmage

The Tennessee Volunteers are inching closer to their first game of the season, as they are set to take on the Furman Paladins.

Ahead of the first game, the Tennessee Volunteers completed two scrimmages. Following these scrimmages, I have reshaped my depth chart projection. Here is where I believe things stand.

Offensive Depth Chart Projection

Tennessee wide receiver Mike Matthews (4) adjusts his helmet during warm-ups at the 2025 Music City Bowl at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., on Dec. 30, 2025. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

Quarterback:
Starter - Faizon Brandon
2nd - George MacIntyre
3rd - Ryan Staub

One could argue that this is the hardest position group to predict. As of now, I believe that the quarterback for this offense will be Faizon Brandon, due to his upside and this decision will impact the future rather than just the present. Brandon is who I give the nod to.

Running Back:
Starter - DeSean Bishop
2nd - Javin Gordon
3rd - Daune Morris

While it is known that DeSean Bishop will be the starter, it remains unknown if a player like Javin Gordon will get the nod over Daune Morris. As of now, I am going to give the slight edge to Gordon, although I wouldn't be shocked if the scheme experience gives Morris the edge in the end.

Wide Receivers:
Starters - Mike Matthews/Radarious Jackson/Braylon Staley (SLOT)
2nd - Travis Smith Jr,/TK Keys/Joakim Dodson (SLOT)

This go-around, I am going to give a slight edge to Radrious Jackson. I do believe this is a tight race between the three (Jackson, Keys, and Smith Jr.), but even if Jackson is the starter in game one, it doesn't mean he will be every game. Kelsey Pope could use every wide receiver in a different way, mixing the starting lineups up often.

Tight End:
Starter - DaSaahn Brame
2nd - Ethan Davis
3rd - Luca Wolf

This is where I am changing things up massively. One of the players who has made the most headlines this fall has been Luca Wolf, who is going to have some expectations when it comes to playing on the field this season. I believe he will be given the chance to do so, as the No. 3 option. When it comes to the starter, I am going with Brame, as Davis hasn't been with the team much this fall due to an injury. I believe that this will make Brame the starter, at least to begin the season.

Offensive Tackles:
Starters - David Sanders Jr. (Left)/Ory Williams (Right)
2nd - Jeremias Heard (Left)/Gabriel Osenda (Right)

This isn't something I expect to stay the same, although Gabriel Osenda and Jeremias Heard could flip if the Vols trust Osenda on the blindside. I believe this group could be the biggest surprise factor of the entire season.

Offensive Guards:
Starters - Wendell Moe Jr. (Left)/Jesse Perry (Right)
2nd - Donovan Haslam (Left)/Sham Umarov (Right)

Between Jesse Perry and Sham Umarov, the decision of who would start was quite difficult. I believe the Vols will hope to get Perry on, but one injury on the line will put Umarov back in the lineup. Don't sleep on Donovan Haslam either, as he is likely to play some reasonable snaps this season.

Center:
Starter - Sam Pendleton
2nd - Nic Moore

I think this one is pretty set in stone, although another player could emerge as a possible backup candidate to join Nic Moore. Until then, I believe these two will be the primary players in the rotation.

Defensive Depth Chart Projection

Tennessee defensive lineman Daevin Hobbs (5) celebrates after sacking Arkansas quarterback Taylen Green (10) during a college football game between Tennessee and Arkansas at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn., on Oct. 11, 2025. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

EDGEs:
Starters - Jordan Norman/Tyree Weathersby
2nd - Mariyon Dye/Christian Gass
3rd - Carter Gooden/Keldric Golston II

Jordan Norman and Tyree Weathersby have been on a mission since the beginning of fall camp. I believe that these two will be great in 2026 and are the likely starters. Behind them is where things begin to become debatable, but one I am excited for is Christian Gass, who has been one of the biggest frame winners under the leadership of Derek Owings.

Defensive Line:
Starters - Daevin Hobbs/Xavier Gilliam
2nd - Nathan Robinson/Ethan Utley
3rd - Carson Gentle/Isaiah Campbell

Things get shifted around when it comes to the interior defensive linemen, as I am projecting that Daevin Hobbs will be paired with Xavier Gilliam. Ethan Utley is the player who rises on my list, as he is a player who continues to do and say the right things. I believe the ceiling is sky-high for Utley, and he is someone I am projecting to be a key rotational player on the interior.

Linebackers:
Starters - Amare Campbell/Arion Carter
2nd - Jadon Perlotte/Edwin Spillman
3rd - Jeremiah Telander/Brayden Rouse

The order of the first five is a bit hard to predict, as it is extremely hard for me to put Jeremiah Telander as a third-stringer. I believe that Jim Knowles will be able to get each of these guys on the field, as this could be the deepest linebacker group in the country.

Cornerbacks:
Starters - Ty Redmond/Kayin Lee/Qua Moss (Star)
2nd - Tre Poteat/Zay Anderson/Jamyan Theodore (Star)

Following the recent defensive back injuries, this is arguably the room that is the hardest to project. I believe that this could be the room that I get the most wrong, as this is something that could change multiple times.

Safeties:
Starters - TJ Metcalf/Dejuan Lane
2nd - Joel Wyatt/Sidney Walton
3rd - Dylan Lewis/DJ Burks

Joel Wyatt moves up to the second-string for me due to his frame, as I believe this is something that can't keep him off the field for long. TJ Metcalf and Dejuan Lane are the expected starters in my opinion, especially following Edrees Farooq's injury.

Special Teams Depth Chart Projection

Special Teams:
Kick Returner/Punt Returner - Joakim Dodson
Kicker - Cooper Ranvier
Punter - Jackson Ross
Long Snapper - Bennett Brady

This is a major shot in the dark, as I believe the main thing that will change is the return game. Away from that, I believe the rest will stay the same.

Add us as a preferred source on Google