⚡ CFB Dashboard

- 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.

- 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.

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

- QB: Glad to hear that Faizon has earned the trust of his peers and coaches.

- 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...

- Faizon Brandon has been named Tennessee's starting quarterback after recent camp reports increasingly favored him in the competition. - Brandon and George MacIntyre were viewed as having similar floors because neither has extensive game experience. - Brandon's perceived edge was the higher upside, giving Tennessee a ceiling-based reason to choose him despite the uncertainty.

- 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

- QB: Also HEUpel (lol) is really good at game planning around his qbs strength.

- QB: Tebow in no way, shape, or form of reality would be chosen over Manning at QB Not even close

- QB: The RTI Low-Down with @TheHoundBB and @CLowFB is BACK for the 2026 CFB season!

- QB: "I do 100% expect him to be the starter." RTI Low-Down co-host Chris Low gives unfiltered thoughts on the status of Tennessee football's quarterback battle

- – 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 .

- QB: Doesn’t sound like we’re getting a qb decision anytime soon.

- QB/WR: WATCH: Tennessee HC Josh Heupel REACTS to Vols' Second Scrimmage - Talks Quarterback Battle, Deep Passing Game, Wide Receiver Flashes, and More (Via RTI on YouTube)

- QB: Josh Heupel is noncommittal about the timeline of naming a starting quarterback.

- Pick/market: I keep seeing some fans say this, but I absolutely hate playing in Columbia.

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

- Pick/market: Very rarely do freshmen QB win the SEC or a NC.

- QB: Forgot the blue font...some folks on here already have him listed as the starting QB for the Tennessee Volunteers

- RB: Tennessee Running Back DeSean Bishop Snubbed From Doak Walker Award Watch List | Rocky Top Insider Tennessee running back DeSean Bishop was snubbed from the Doak Walker Award preseason watch list released on Tuesday.

- 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: Mason Phillips is going to be the starting QB is what I am deciding to take away from this.

- QB: The only years we didn't really have questions at QB were in '22 and '23.

- QB: Reminds me of when Andrew Luck retired and was replaced by Jacoby Brissett.

- QB/OL: Yes, with an experienced OL and great potential at WR, less to worry about a young QB.........

- QB: The way those who watch practices talk about the team this year feels different.

- 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's quarterback competition between Faizon Brandon and George MacIntyre remains volatile, with the inexperienced passers alternating good and bad camp days. - DeSean Bishop was identified as a dependable running back, and the offensive line is expected to be a strength, but the defensive line is a current camp concern. - The early Georgia Tech matchup could help Tennessee bank a fast start: the panel expects Josh Heupel's first-quarter tempo and Bishop's run game to give the new quarterback time to settle in.

- 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.

- QB/DL: The way we were trending, I was expecting to be competing for an NC either last or this year, but with our entire DL gone, a new DC, and a new, inexperienced QB room..m...

- QB: He could be even more crucial to the offense than we realize.

- QB/OL: Under Heup, 8 out of the 24 (33%) were top 10 when we played then.

- Pick/market: Stopping by for a visit.

- QB: Trying to pick wins without even knowing who the starting QB is is illogical.

- QB/LB: Obligatory QB competition result.

- QB/OL: When we get a returning starter at QB combined with an experienced offensive line, then I'll feel like I know what CJH really believes about tempo.

- QB: It's just true he's a way better player than Joey Aguilar, and you can fully understand why Tennessee did what it did while also fully understanding that they downgraded a quarterback.

- 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.

- QB: The decade's QBs: Andy Kelley, Heath Shuler, Peyton Manning, and Tee Martin.

- 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.

- QB: The feedback i recall hearing and reading was Mac continues to be late on throws, meaning taking too long to process….

- Coaching: Some comments from my source who went to the scrimmage.

- Injury: I know the mods on Volquest say nothing to Ethan Davis’ injury, but wish he was out there.

- 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)

- WR: WATCH: Tennessee WR Radarious Jackson Talks starter competition, offseason growth, skill sets of UT's receivers (Via RTI on YouTube)

- 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."

- Offense: Tennessee football wide receivers coach/passing game coordinator Kelsey Pope: "Radarious has always got the right mentality, man.

- Offense: Tennessee football wide receivers coach/passing game coordinator Kelsey Pope: "I'm really looking for things that we may not have had answers to last year."

- Offense: Tennessee football wide receivers coach/passing game coordinator Kelsey Pope: "You got to want to.

- Offense: Tennessee football wide receivers coach/passing game coordinator Kelsey Pope on what he wants from Travis Smith Jr.: "Physical.

- Offense: Tennessee football wide receivers coach/passing game coordinator Kelsey Pope on TK Keys: "He just does stuff that you can't coach."

- 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."

- WR: "I think that’s part of a coach is you’ve got to know who the guys are in your room so you can press those buttons when they need to be." What Tennessee football WR...

- WR: WATCH: Tennessee WR Joakim Dodson talks playing in the slot, learning from Braylon Staley, jumpstarting the season, and more (Via RTI on YouTube)

- WR: Tennessee wide receiver coach Kelsey Pope describes the highs of TK Keys, where he needs to progress

- QB: He didn't start at QB for all those games though, some were at TB and he only took over QB in the beginning during a game where the starting QB got hurt

- QB: Sells was a backup QB (never played) in the early-mid 1980s who then became a grad assistant and coach.

- 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.

- QB: Watching Elarbee, I think, teach guys to grab the pads hard at the shoulders and waiting for the "in game comments" folks to claim "when are they going to call holding?" makes me realize...

- TE: Tennessee football tight end reportedly generating buzz for his performance early in fall camp

- OL: Tennessee offensive line coach Glen Elarbee: "We definitely have options, I feel like.

- OL: Glen Elarbee says this year's offensive line "absolutely" is as impressive as a group physically as Elarbee has had at Tennessee.

- 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

- OL/DL: WATCH: Tennessee OL Jesse Perry talks competition against the defensive line, defensive standouts, OL leadership and teaching (Via RTI on YouTube)

- OL: WATCH: Tennessee OL Coach Glen Elarbee breaks down fall camp storylines with the media on Tuesday -Most Violent Player on the Line -David Sanders' Growth/Leadership -Best Unit vs Experience (Via RTI on YouTube)

- TE: Tennessee tight end sidelined as the Vols open their second week of fall camp

- OL: Tennessee OL coach Glen Elarbee on Nic Moore: "He's such a powerful guy.

- OL: WATCH: Tennessee OL Ory Williams talks time on Rocky Top, relationship with Glen Elarbee, battle with David Sanders, fall camp urgency (Via RTI on YouTube)

- QB: Tennessee quarterback Faizon Brandon inks NIL deal with clothing brand ahead of freshman season

- QB: Tennessee football QB Faizon Brandon at practice on Wednesday morning @rockytopinsider | http:// rockytopinsider.com

- OL: Tennessee football offensive line coach Glen Elarbee makes brutally honest assessment of how last year ended

- OL: Tennessee OL coach Glen Elarbee praises transfer lineman as the most physical player he's seen during his time on Rocky Top

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

- WR: Tennessee football star wide receiver Braylon Staley working with passing game coordinator Kelsey Pope @rockytopinsider | http:// rockytopinsider.com

- OL/DL: WATCH: Tennessee DL Nathan Robinson talks offseason strength gain, D-Line goals, standout players on the Vols' offensive line (Via RTI on YouTube)

- – 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.

- 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

- Injury: Back up quarterback, very frankly is the best gig ever.

- TE: Tennessee tight end Ethan Davis sidelined during open portions of the Vols' second fall practice

- TE: Tennessee TE coach Alec Abeln: "I think physically, cannot say enough about the work those guys have done since January."

- TE: Tennessee TE coach Alec Abeln: "It makes my job easy when the guys are wanting to be coached."

- TE: Tennessee TE coach Alec Abeln on freshman Luca Wolf: "He's absolutely giving himself to be a real contributor this fall."

- TE: Tennessee TE coach Alec Abeln: "Ultimately, we're not looking to play with a Y that's just a blocker or a F that's just a blocker."

- TE: Tennessee TE coach Alec Abeln on Ethan Davis not at practice today: "He's good.

- TE: Tennessee TE coach Alec Abeln: "I'm really excited for Cole (Harrison)...

- Offense: WATCH: Tennessee freshman offensive lineman Kamari Blair speaks to the media during UT Fall Camp Day 2 on Thursday morning in Knoxville (Via RTI on YouTube)

- TE: "I think physically you cannot say enough about the work that those guys have done since January." What Tennessee football TE coach Alec Abeln said after Thursday's practice

- TE: WATCH: Tennessee freshman tight end Luca Wolf speaks to the media during UT Fall Camp Day 2 on Thursday morning in Knoxville (Via RTI on YouTube)

- WR: ESPN names a former Tennessee wide receiver as South Carolina Football's all-time biggest VILLAIN...

- TE: Watch as Tennessee tight end DaSaahn Brame makes leaping touchdown catch

- QB: Naw I was more Billy Dee, cool as the other side of a pillow.

- QB: WATCH: Tennessee quarterback George MacIntyre speaks to the media for 20 minutes on Tuesday afternoon in Knoxville

- QB: WATCH: Tennessee quarterback Faizon Brandon previews UT fall camp during 19-minute interview on Tuesday afternoon in Knoxville

- 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...

- RB: Ken Donahue was the DC he fired in the middle of the 88 season.

- 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!

- QB/DL: I continue to be baffled at Huepel's inactivity in the portal at that position.

- QB/OL: No reason to not dream on possibilities as long as you don’t abandon reality and probabilities.

- QB/DL: I gotta think if the right piece to help fill the d-line or, dare I say, someone to add to that QB room with a ton of experience..........we'd make room somewhere.

- QB/OL: Great teams win the line of scrimmage.

- 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.

- 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.

- OL: Would love to see this young man set the single season rushing yards record this year.

- Offense: Tennessee football's offense placed disrespectfully low in preseason SEC rankings

- QB: Our receivers gotta be willing to fight for the football....especially with a young qb who's probably gonna under throw it some...gotta be ready to go to war in the "trenches" to....

- QB: LOL, same offense only a different QB.

- RB: Transfer portal if we need one..

- Offense: Josh Heupel is building his Tennessee football offense like a true title contender

- RB: $2 million a year for a RB is wild stuff, but especially considering what Tennessee runs Historically, Heupel’s offensive system is basically a numbers game.

- Pick/market: I feel like 9-3 is very doable but as stated, QB has to manage the game and Heup has to show composure with the game plan when it comes to those key game situations.

- 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.