Big Orange Report August 13, 2026

 

Meet the Vols 2026

Quarterbacks

Position Coaches-- Josh Heupel, Joey Halzle

George MacIntyre-- Red Shirt Freshman (6-6, 210, 4.6) from Franklin, Tenn.-- The lanky MacIntyre made two cameo appearances as a freshman last season, completing seven of nine passes for 69 yards. He hails from a football family that includes his grandfather and father. He was a high four-star recruit coming out of Brentwood Academy. His career high school numbers include 8293 yards passing and 62 touchdowns. He averaged 230.4 yards per contest through the air during his illustrious high school career. He also had nine rushing touchdowns as a senior at Brentwood. His offer list included Georgia, Alabama, Oregon, Michigan and Clemson. MacIntyre is considered to be a potential playmaker as a game manager that can read a defense and never be rushed to panic or force throws into double coverage.

Faizon Brandon-- Freshman (6-4, 220, 4.5) from Greensboro, North Carolina--The No. 1 prospect in North Carolina in 2025, Brandon was also tabbed as the No. 9 overall recruit in the nation by Rivals.com/On3. 247.com ranked him the No. 2 quarterback and also the No. 2 overall prospect. As the starting quarterback at Grimsley High School, he led his team to back-to-back state titles and an incredible 35-1 record. For his career, Brandon threw for 6374 yards and 79 touchdowns while completing 72 percent of his passes. Considered a bonified dual threat, he also rushed for 1261 yards and 21 six pointers. He had 35 offers after his prep career was finished including from Alabama, Georgia, Ohio State, Oregon, Michigan and Miami.

Ryan Staub-- Red shirt junior (6-1, 205, 4.6) from Stevenson Ranch, California (Transfer from Colorado)-- With two young, inexperienced quarterbacks battling for the starting job, the staff wanted to bring in an experienced signal caller as an insurance policy. Staub was the best available player that fit the profile. He had played in 12 games with two starts for the Buffalos. Staub had completed 53 passes out of 98 attempts. He tossed four touchdowns and was intercepted four times. He was a decorated high school player that was named to the California All State team. He threw 58 touchdown passes during his prep career.

Position Summary

The competition for the top spot on the depth chart will continue for this entire month. There might be a hint or two concerning the potential starter following the full scale scrimmage on Saturday. If there is no obvious separation between MacIntyre and Brandon, then both could see action in the opening game of the season. Staub is getting plenty of work in the quarterback meetings and film room to prepare him for any emergency situations.

Vol Notes

One question that has already popped up again is the ability of tight end Ethan Davis to stay healthy. He is oozing with talent but has already missed practice time again. The depth at that position still gives some hope that the offense will get some quality production from the tight ends.

Sophomore linebacker Jaedon Harmon tore his ACL during weekend drills and is lost for the season. He was a standout on special teams last year.

Coach Rodney Garner is pushing his troops in the defensive line constantly. Garner has some obvious talent but they are young. All the candidates for playing time benefitted from working with Derek Ownings in the winter and spring.

Running Backs

Position Coach-- De'Rail Sims

All Star Candidate-- DeSean Bishop

DeSean Bishop-- Red Shirt Junior (5-10, 215, 4.5) from Knoxville-- The feel-good story should continue this season for the former walkon who is now the lead horse at running back for the Big Orange. He finished his high school career at Karns where he rushed for 8347 yards and 102 touchdowns. That total was the second highest number in the history of high school ball in Tennessee. He earned back-to-back 5A Mr. Football awards from the Tennessee Titans. Despite having at least 17 scholarship offers from D1 schools, Bishop's love for the Big Orange and his home state steered him to UT as a preferred walkon. He was an early enrollee in 2023 but was slowed by an injury and eventually red-shirted that season. He played in 10 games during the Vols run to the college playoffs in 2024 and finished as the team's second leading rusher with 455 yards, three touchdowns and an average of 6.10 yards per carry. Bishop took his game to another level last autumn when he was the feature running back in the Vol offense. After being awarded a scholarship in the spring, he became the starter and rolled up 1076 yards on the ground and crossed the goal line 16 times. He was the fourth leading rusher in the SEC a year ago. He also demonstrated an ability to catch the football. He had 15 receptions for 135 yards. Two of his best games were against conference powers Alabama and Florida when he had a combined total of 239 yards and four touchdowns. Coach Owings and the training staff have helped Bishop streamline his body and improve his speed.

Javin Gordon-- Sophomore (5-10, 218, 4.55) from Toccoa, Georgia (Transfer from Tulane)-- The staff was seeking an experienced runner to back up Bishop and they appear to have found him in Gordon. The former Green Wave tailback rushed for 516 yards and five touchdowns while splitting time as the starter. He is another player that can catch the ball and he pulled down 13 passes for almost 100 yards and one six-pointer. "He is just an old school football player," said Coach Sims. "You can tell he's got a really good "feel" as a running back in terms of finding holes and anticipating certain things. He can catch the ball as well." Gordon has added about 10 pounds of muscle over the winter and spring.

Daune Morris--  Sophomore (5-10, 205, 4.5) from Chattanooga-- Morris enrolled early and got into seven contests last year as a true freshman. He totaled 133 yards on the ground but also got a shot as a kick returner. He ran back three kickoffs for 92 yards and three punts for 24 yards. His best game as a reserve runner last season was against Florida when he gained 41 yards. Rivals ranked him the No. 8 all-purpose back coming out of high school and he had over 30 offers, including nine from SEC schools.

Justin Baker-- Sophomore (5-10, 210, 4.55) from Stone Mountain, Georgia-- An early enrollee in 2025, Baker participated with special teams in all 13 games and was a mainstay with the kick coverage units. He has improved his strength and speed this year and should be a reliable reserve at running back. He had 20 offers following his decorated high school career including Alabama, Georgia, Florida and Michigan.

Position Summary

Running behind a veteran offensive line that added a transfer tight end just for his strong blocking ability, Bishop has a shot at perhaps leading the league in rushing this Fall. The staff got a bargain in Gordon, a player that was impressive during spring drills and has added some weight and muscle. The two younger backs make the depth situation look acceptable.

The Final Count Down

The band Europe had a huge hit with a song titled The Final Countdown which is still played at sports venues. However, here we recognized that football practice is getting underway and that means the final countdown is on to the opening of the 2026 season. The questions to be resolved surrounding this Tennessee team involve the quarterback position, the interior of the defensive line and the pass rush. Vol fans are eager to discover the potential answers.

Wide Receivers

Position Coach-- Kelsey Pope

All Star Candidates-- Brylon Staley, Mike Matthews

Brylon Staley-- Red Shirt Sophomore (6-0, 190, 4.4) from Aiken, South Carolina-- Following a breakout year in '25, Staley is projected to be one of the most dangerous slot receivers in the nation this Fall. He earned first team honors on the All SEC Freshman lists and also was named a Freshman All American by the Athletic. He led Tennessee catches with 68 and was second on the squad in total yards with 837 and touchdown receptions with six. He caught at least one pass in all 13 games and improved week by week as the season progressed. One of his best outings was against Georgia when he grabbed nine passes for 97 yards and one score. That performance earned him his second Freshman of the Week honor in the conference. He has the speed, quickness and ability to change direction that make him a threat on every pass play for the Vol offense.

Mike Matthews-- Junior (6-1, 200, 4.5) from Lilburn, Georgia-- Now a veteran at wideout, Matthews delivered a solid performance last season after starting all 13 games. He had at least two receptions in every game and finished the year with 53 catches for 813 yards and four touchdowns. In three contests he posted over 100 yards catching the football. After arriving in 2024 Matthews participated in seven games as a true freshman. He had seven receptions for 90 yards and two touchdowns. He is skilled at working the middle of the field and the hash marks with plus size and excellent agility and moves in his routes.

Travis Smith, Jr.-- Sophomore (6-3, 215, 4.5) from Atlanta, Georgia-- Smith arrived on campus after a stellar career at Westlake High School. During his senior campaign he hauled in 64 passes for 1329 yards and 15 scores. He was ranked the No. 6 prospect in Georgia and the No. 9 wide receiver in the nation by On3. He had over 30 college offers including from Alabama, Georgia, Oklahoma and Oregon. He saw action in seven games last Fall but was slowed by a minor injury. After spring drills Coach Pope threw some praise Smith's way. "He (Smith) is a bigger athlete but he is very fluid for his size," Pope said. "The things he can do at his size are special due to his hips and his ability to have ankle flexion at the top of his route."

Radarious Jackson-- Sophomore (6-2, 210, 4.45) from Memphis-- An acrobatic receiver with an impressive vertical leap and the ability to reel in the one-handed catches, Jackson might be poised for a breakout season this year. He was a two-way star at Sheffield High School where he actually recorded 13 pass interceptions while playing defense. He was the 2023 Class 3A Mr. Football in the state of Tennessee. He had over 3000 yards catching the football during his final two high school seasons. He was slowed by an injury as a freshman but played as a reserve and posted nine receptions for 90 yards. Coach Pope was impressed with Jackson's work in the spring and says that the sophomore has a tenacity and physicality that you can't coach.

TK Keys-- Freshman  (6-2.5, 195, 4.45) from Hattiesburg, Mississippi-- One of the jewels of the 2026 recruiting class, Keys was ranked the No. 2 wide receiver prospect in the nation by ESPN, On3 and Rivals. 247.com tabbed Keys as the No. 1 receiver in the country.  He was also a top 20 overall recruit on the top 100 lists.

A three-sport star in high school, Keys also excelled in track and on the basketball courts. He had 33 offers from D1 schools including Alabama, Texas, Notre Dame, Michigan and Oregon. Keys is going to see action early and could develop into a legitimate weapon as the season progresses.

Position Summary

This group represents the most talent-laden room on the football team this year. OOf course, the primary question has to be whether or not the coaches have a quarterback that can deliver the ball to this collection of primetime pass catchers. In a three wide receiver set, the Vols can stretch the field vertically and give defenses problems deep and outside the hash marks as well.

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