⚡ CFB Dashboard

- Tennessee opens in Jim Knowles' new defensive scheme after falling from the SEC's top four in run defense from 2022-24 to 13th in 2025 at 195 rushing yards allowed per conference game. - Tennessee replaced seven of its top 10 defensive linemen and will play the opener without suspended linebacker Arion Carter, leaving the rebuilt front as the central early-season question. - Furman rushed for 268 yards in its opener, including 163 yards after contact from its top three backs, and quarterback Jake Garcia added 51 scramble yards to stress Tennessee's gap discipline. - Knowles said Tennessee generated effective pressure during fall camp against its own offense, but he considers game performance the unresolved test of the pass rush. - Tennessee could start four experienced transfers in the secondary, making communication across all three defensive levels especially important in the unit's first game together at Neyland Stadium.

- Josh Heupel said new defensive coordinator Jim Knowles has synchronized the staff around a multiple scheme designed to adapt its fronts and responsibilities to Tennessee's available personnel. - Linebacker Arion Carter will miss the Furman opener after his suspension was reduced from two games to one. - Veteran receivers Mike Matthews and Braylon Staley have elevated their technique, while Radarious Jackson, Travis Smith, TK Keys, Tyreek King and Joakim Dodson are all expected to play early against Furman. - Heupel expects some opening-game imperfections after the defense installed new terminology and assignments, but said the group made substantial progress through spring, summer and camp.

- Tennessee considers starting safety Edrees Farooq's injury a major loss and is cross-training Qua Moss at high safety while Sidney Walton, Dylan Lewis and DJ Burks compete in a thin backup group. - Linebacker Arion Carter will serve a one-game suspension against Furman and is expected back for Tennessee's following matchup with Georgia Tech. - Jim Knowles identified Jeremiah Telander as the defense's most important leader and plans to exploit his versatility and coverage ability against running backs and tight ends. - Knowles said Tennessee generated effective pressure against its own offense during camp through varied schemes, though he cautioned that the pass rush remains unproven in games. - Tennessee's tracked tackling percentages improved at every position from spring through preseason camp, providing an early positive signal for the new defense.

- Alabama lost defensive lineman Jeremiah Beaman to a season-ending ACL injury; defensive back Jorden Edmonds is targeted for a midseason return, while EJ Crowell and receiver Noah Rogers are expected back sooner. Arkansas lost tight end Maddox Lassiter, defensive lineman J'Lynn Allen and punter Connor Smith for 2026, but RB1 Sutton Smith should be ready for the opener. - Auburn linebacker J.J. Faulk is out for the year, with tight end Jonathan Edwards, tackle Tai Buster and corner Devin Williams still uncertain. Florida reported no major camp loss; Georgia remains without Amaris Williams and likely Dante Dowdell, while center Drew Bobo should play. Kentucky running back Tovani Mizell is out, with Jovante Barnes and receiver Nic Anderson questionable. - LSU quarterback Sam Leavitt and linebacker Whit Weeks are full-go, though edge Gabe Reliford remains out. Missouri RB Ahmad Hardy will miss the opener but is practicing; Gavin Hoffman should be ready and Donta Simpson is cleared. Oklahoma center Jake Maikkula is expected to miss at least a couple of weeks. - Ole Miss reported no major preseason injury. South Carolina lost receivers Jaden Sellers and Jayden Gibson for the season, with tackle Jacarrius Peak expected out roughly two weeks and Dylan Stewart unavailable opening weekend. Tennessee lost Edrees Farooq, Jaedon Harmon and Jadas Richard, with several more questionable plus Arion Carter suspended one game. - Texas is evaluating left tackle Trevor Goosby's knee, though no tear was initially indicated. Texas A&M lost Chace Sims and Tiger Riden for the season and receiver Jerome Myles left the team. Vanderbilt had no major new camp injury, while Mississippi State's principal questions are receiver Ayden Williams and limited defensive linemen D.J. Reed and Kalvin Dinkins.

- LB: I don’t care if it gives football vibes, but 100,000 people singing along to I Will Always Love You would be a spectacle unlike any other

- LB: That is true, but there are only so many reps to divvy up between our LBs, and we will be fine with Campbell, Spillman, Perlotte, Telander ...

- OL/LB: You are forever an American Icon and a very important piece of our history.

- QB/LB: Crazy that UT’s statistically 5th best passer of alltime “wasn’t a great passer of the ball”

- QB/LB: This year success rate is still a huge question mark with breaking in a new freshman quarterback with a difficult schedule, he's talented and has weapons around him, a good line to protect him...

- QB/LB: The base and donors won't put up w 7 wins, regardless of the QB.

- QB/RB: Factors people forget when touting these Freshmen QBs: 1) In MOST cases, the QB in question did NOT start day one as QB1 2) In ALL of the cases, said QB was surrounded by...

- Injury: Tennessee's 2026 Defense Will Test Jim Knowles' Creativity | Rocky Top Insider Tennessee football's 2026 defense and its limitations will test first-year defensive coordinator Jim Knowles' creativity.

- QB/LB: If Joey somehow becomes an NFL starting quarterback, that will be my new favorite team

- LB: Explain how Tennessee linebacker Arion Carter has to sit two games for a $400 plane flight he repaid under NCAA rules, but players can get cut from NFL teams and go play immediately in...

- – Tennessee football held its second and final scrimmage of preseason camp on Saturday in Neyland Stadium, and the Volunteers now turn their attention to mock game week. "There were a lot of mechanics and communication things that we did well," said head coach Josh Heupel .

- 12 of preseason camp at Haslam Field. - Special teams coordinator Evan Crabtree met with the media following the session to discuss the development and experience of his group entering the 2026 season. "He has a competitive edge to him, and he has a confidence to him that probably shows up more on the field," Crabtree said.

- Coaching: Coach sounds more optimistic than he’s usually been but penalties concern me .

- Injury: One that I'm not sure will get much if any mention here, but I'll always remember/love, is Jacob Gilliam.

- LB: I see it as a big plus for player development because the kids physically ready can be given game opportunities without worrying about the number of games they play.

- QB/LB: That’s a high ceiling with a freshman QB but - why not?!?!!

- QB/WR: If they struggle to have someone take command of WR3 and none of those guys are super reliable (not saying unreliable just a large gap between them and MM/BS) I would expect a young...

- QB/LB: Seems fair, considering the uncertainty at QB and learning curve of the new defense.

- QB/LB: Faizon is QB1 game one, all the QB battle talk is just preseaon noise now.

- Tennessee football finished its second week of preseason camp with a two-hour scrimmage on a hot Saturday inside Neyland Stadium. - Sophomore George MacIntyre and freshman Faizon Brandon rotated series at quarterback with the first-team and second-team offenses.

- DL/LB: Universally known as a hard azz that demands the most out of his men.

- QB/LB: Obligatory QB competition result.

- Tennessee football ended week two of fall camp with its first scrimmage inside Neyland Stadium. - Tennessee is only three weeks away from the start of the 2026 season. - Head Coach Josh Heupel expressed a lot of growth needs to take place from now until then.

- Coaching: We will see but Heuple does not have any history of playing 2 QB's in the regular season.

- QB/OL: Nice night for Joe Sam Howell, Joe Milton III Continue Backup Quarterback Battle​ With Dak Prescott sitting out, Howell and Milton split the night as they compete for the Cowboys’ No.

- WR/LB: WATCH: Tennessee WR coach Kelsey Pope speaks to the media during UT Fall Camp on Friday morning in Knoxville -Battle For Third Starter -Mike Matthews' Leadership -TK Keys' Skill (Via RTI on YouTube)

- LB: Another night of NFL preseason action means another night of former Tennessee football stars getting opportunities.

- LB: Tennessee football wide receivers coach/passing game coordinator Kelsey Pope on Mike Matthews and Braylon Staley: "If I sense one or them or both of them are looking too far ahead of feeling established, I...

- LB: Tennessee football wide receivers coach/passing game coordinator Kelsey Pope on Mike Matthews and Braylon Staley: "I think those guys both are trending in the right direction."

- LB: Tennessee football wide receivers coach/passing game coordinator Kelsey Pope on Mike Matthews and Braylon Staley: "Those two guys, I'm more proud of those two than anybody I've coached in terms of leadership."

- 1 scoring offense in 2025, Tennessee's offensive line returns five players with significant starting experience, providing Elarbee with a deep and versatile group heading into the season. - Following practice, offensive line coach Glen Elarbee spoke to the media about the development and competition within his group entering the new campaign.

- OL/LB: "If you have competition, I think it will end up making us better, period, for sure.” Everything Tennessee offensive line coach Glen Elarbee said to open the second week of fall camp

- LB: Tennessee offensive tackle David Sanders Jr "wants to be elite." There's reasons to believe he will be in his sophomore season

- – Tennessee football put the shoulder pads on for the first time this fall Saturday morning as the Volunteers completed their third practice of preseason camp at Haslam Field. - Following practice, linebackers coach William Inge met with the media to discuss the development and depth of his position group entering the 2026 season.

- Injury: Under new NCAA rules, there are no medical redshirts--only 5 yrs.

- QB/WR: Staley will have more yards and be the go-to but I think Matthews takes the step and doesnt have the dropped TDs.

- Injury: Probably because he has literally had success with every QB he has coached in his career, and everyone of them except one has played or will play in the NFL

- LB: "the highest-paid strength and conditioning coach in college football history" we went all in and IU folded.

- Injury: You’d be flat on your a$$ not even two minutes into practice

- LB: Tennessee football linebacker Edwin Spillman gives thoughts suspension of Arion Carter, which left him 'shocked'

- LB: "It’s a question mark and time will tell how that goes" Tennessee DC Jim Knowles gives an honest assessment of key defensive position entering fall camp

- Head coach Josh Heupel , offensive coordinator Joey Halzle and new defensive coordinator Jim Knowles took to the podium to answer questions from the media about the 2026 Volunteers as they head into preseason training camp. - One of the biggest headlines from the summer and heading into this year's training camp is the noticeable gains during the offseason under new Director of Sports Performance Derek Owings and his...

- Tennessee football reports for its 130th season as the Volunteers will hold their annual local media day Tuesday before beginning preseason camp practice Wednesday. - Head coach Josh Heupel , who enters his sixth season at the helm, will address media at 12:40 p.m.

- LB: UH...TENNESSEE will have one of, if not THE Best Offensive Lines in College Football!

- LB: Honestly with the nature of the Transfer Portal being what it is- UT LB group is the only one I’m familiar with now.

- LB: The College Football world is on Tennessee's side after the NCAA's latest ruling that crashed down on Vol linebacker Arion Carter this week

- LB: We have made a tradition of living off cupcakes for many years.

- Pick/market: My guess is 9-3 so it is the mid point.

- LB: Since no one's paying for my opinion, we all know what it's worth.

- LB: Social Media REACTS: Tennessee fans voice their displeasure with the suspension that the NCAA has reportedly dropped on Vols LB Arion Carter

- LB: BREAKING: Star Tennessee linebacker Arion Carter has been suspended two games by the NCAA.

- QB/OL: I’ve got a question for everyone that’s been so down on this team this offseason.

- Pick/market: I understand where you're coming from but when it comes to the WR position I just want talent.

- LB/DB: I’d say kids go to bama at least for football is because they won championships or at least in the running.

- LB: I know it's not possible but how funny would it be if Sanders was one of them.

- LB: CRB will have to give up some BBALL money to keep these 3 on the team next year if they live up to expectations.

- QB/LB: Faison might very well start to separate himself earlier than expected but no one will be named starter until after the 2nd scrimmage of fall camp.