Big Orange Report July 23, 2026

 

Meet the Vols 2026

Offensive Tackles/Tight Ends

Position Coaches-- Glen Elarbee, Alec Abeln

All Star Candidates-- David Sanders, Ethan Davis

David Sanders-- Sophomore (6-6, 310) from Charlotte, North Carolina-- The former five star rated prospect and a top three offensive lineman coming out of high school; Sanders got some serious "on-the-job" training last season. ESPN and Rivals called him the No. 1 recruit coming out of North Carolina and the No. 1 tackle in the 2025 graduating class. He was slowed by a shoulder injury and missed the first four games last fall before logging his first start vs. Kentucky. He played at right tackle a year ago but has now moved to his natural position on the left side of the blocking front. After starting the final six contests of the season, Sanders was named to the SEC All Freshman squad and also was a member of at least two Freshman All American teams. Sanders is not only big and strong; he is also a very athletic blocker with great drive and balance.

Ory Williams-- Red Shirt Sophomore (6-8, 330) from San Marcos, Texas (Transfer from LSU)-- A jumbo sized young man who earned the praise of Coach Elarbee following spring drills this year. "Ory is a super talented guy with great foot speed, length, with a great, positive attitude," Elarbee said. "He is a fun guy to be around and he picked up on what we are trying to do due to his great football IQ." He was a key reserve at LSU last year but did get a couple of starts. He played 74 snaps vs. Arkansas and did not give up a sack or quarterback hurry. For the season, he was not burned for a sack as the starter or reserve at tackle for the Tigers. Right now, he is the clubhouse leader to start at right tackle for the Big Orange this Fall.

Jeremias Heard-- Red shirt sophomore (6-8, 335) from Rome, Georgia-- Despite playing only two years of high school football, Heard was a two-way star at the point of attack for Model High School. He helped lead his team to a regional title in football and a Final Four in basketball. He played in 12 contests last season for the Vols as a mainstay blocking for kickers and as a key reserve on the offensive line. Obviously very athletic, he has prospered in the weight and conditioning program and will be an important member of the offensive forward wall this season.

Gabriel Osenda-- Freshman (6-8, 330) from Airdrie, Alberta Canada-- Seeking to enhance his football future, Osenda played two seasons in Clearwater, Florida before completing his high school career at the Baylor School in Tennessee. He was listed as a five-star prospect and the No. 2 offensive tackle recruit in the nation by 247.com. after helping lead Baylor to a state title. Rivals.com also had him among the top 10 players at OT in their final rankings. He had offers from Ohio State, Florida State and Penn State before he inked with Tennessee.

Ethan Davis-- Red Shirt Junior (6-5, 245, 4.6) from Atlanta, Georgia-- Davis has flashed tremendous potential over the past two years but has been slowed by injury. If healthy, he could reach his sky-high potential this year. He was also a basketball star in high school and had a half dozen offers to play hoops at Power 5 schools in college. He was limited to nine games last season but still finished fourth on the team in receiving with 21 catches for 257 yards and two touchdowns. He posted five receptions for 72 yards and a touchdown against Florida. Davis has the speed and moves to get open in the mid-to-deep zones of a pass defense. He has worked hard to improve his blocking capability.

Desaahn Brame-- Sophomore (6-4, 240, 4.55) from Derby, Kansas-- An early enrollee in 2025, Brame played in nine games last year. He had six receptions for 63 yards and worked on special teams. He was called the No. 1 prospect coming out of high school ball in Kansas and was a top 10 ranked tight end prospect by four national recruiting services. He has 31 offers and picked the Vols over Alabama, Southern Cal, Michigan and Miami. He is a player to watch at tight end this season.

Trenton Thomas-- Red Shirt Junior (6-5, 255, 4.6) from Mobile, Alabama (Transfer from South Alabama)-- The word is that the UT staff wanted to add Thomas because of his reputation as a fierce blocker on the edge of the offensive line. Coach Heupel likes to go with a double tight end set and Thomas should be a candidate to see the field in some of those situations.

Positions Summary

The sky is the limit for David Sanders and Williams has potential on the right side. The freshman class has two or three guys that could see the field early. Guard Jesse Perry can slide out to right tackle if needed. Heard is itching to challenge Williams for the starting nod at right tackle.

The tight end room appears to have talent and depth in abundance. Can Davis stay healthy and finally reach his full potential? Cole Harrison (6-5, 240) and Brame can catch the football and both are working hard to improve their blocking skills. Getting a blocker like Thomas is a bonus for the Vol offense. 

Centers and Offensive Guards

Position Coach-- Glen Elarbee

All Star Candidate- Wendell Moe

Wendell Moe-- Red Shirt Senior (6-2, 330) from Long Beach, California (Transfer from Arizona)-- The anchor of the Vols' offensive line, Moe has a splendid track record for being a stubborn, hardnosed blocker that can absorb the punishment and dish it out against the opponent's defensive front. In 2023 he was named to the Associated Press All Pac 12 second team after yielding only one sack out of 864 snaps as the starting left guard for the Wildcats. In 2024 he did not allow a sack or commit a penalty while playing 760 offensive snaps. He transferred to Tennessee in time to participate in spring drills last year and he played in 11 games with eight starts before being sidelined with an injury causing him to miss the bowl game vs. Illinois. During his career, Moe has now played in 40 games that included 2464 snaps while yielding only two sacks. He was named first team All-SEC by the Associated Press last winter. He is also being suggested as a pre-season All-SEC player by media outlets this summer.

Sam Pendelton-- Red Shirt Junior (6-4, 320) from Lawsonville, North Carolina (Transfer from Notre Dame)-- Penciled in as the probable starter at center for the Big Orange this season, Pendelton has benefitted from working with Owings and his staff over the winter and spring months. He started all 13 games in the pivot for UT last fall after arriving from Notre Dame in time for spring drills. He had been a fixture for the Irish in 2024, starting seven games at left guard and also logging snaps at center. He did not allow a sack and was also efficient last fall preventing quarterback pressures for the Vol blocking front. One of his best games was against Florida when Tennessee rushed for 248 yards against the Gators. Pendelton is a smart, experienced blocker who could challenge for post season honors this time around.

Jesse Perry-- Red Shirt Sophomore (6-6, 320) from Murfreesboro, Tennessee-- A versatile blocker who spent time at both right guard and tackle last season, Perry is the projected starter at that guard slot this year. He is a big, strong and agile lineman that has a chance to become a top tier performer in the SEC. A year ago, he started seven games at right tackle and six contests at right guard after appearing in four games in 2024 as a true freshman. He was named SEC Co-Offensive Lineman of the Week following the Florida game when he played 75 snaps at right guard without allowing a pressure or a sack. This is a player to watch when the season gets underway; some believe he will be a road grader at the line of scrimmage.

Shamurad Umarov-- Red Shirt (6-7, 325) from Alpharetta, Georgia-- Another experienced blocker that can work at the guard or center positions if needed. He was a special teams regular in 2024 and worked as a reserve at guard. He earned a much larger role last Fall, starting 10 games at a guard spot and filled in admirably when Moe was injured. He played 70 snaps in the Georgia game and did not allow a pressure or a sack. He might challenge Pendelton for the starting job at center in August. Umarov is going to be a valuable blocker no matter where he is deployed. He was ranked as a top 125 recruit coming out of high school by 247.com and was rated the No. 10 prospect in Georgia.

Nic Moore-- Red Shirt Freshman (6-3, 320) from Talbot, Tennessee-- Moore is in the mix for the top backup slot at center after getting into three games last season as a true freshman. Coach Elarbee complimented Moore's work during spring training and described him as powerful with a high football IQ. He will probably also get some work at the guards in case he is needed at one of those positions. He was a two-way star at Jefferson County High School where he also excelled as a defensive tackle. ESPN rated him a four star recruit and the No. 6 interior lineman in the nation.

Donovan Haslam-- Red Shirt Senior (6-3, 340) from Perry, Georgia (Transfer from West Virginia)-- An intriguing transfer that actually started his college career at Austin Peay before transferring to WVU. He played 444 snaps for the Mountaineers last year and did not allow a sack or a quarterback hurry. Haslam is a big, powerful blocker who worked on both sides of the offensive line during spring drills in Knoxville. He can actually play on defense if needed at an inside tackle.

Position Summary

Guard to guard certainly appears to be a strength on this edition of Volunteers. The veterans have the knowledge and experience necessary for success in the middle of the blocking front. Moe, Pendelton and Perry could all be contenders for post season honors and the reserves are top shelf as well. 

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