COMMENTARY: Is the NCAA's chaos playing to Tennessee's advantage?
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KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – It goes without saying that the landscape of collegiate athletics is unrecognizable from just 10 years ago.
Miami quarterback Darian Mensah, who currently holds the third-best odds at winning the 2026 Heisman Trophy, enters his third season as a starter with as many teams.
By transferring to Texas A&M, P.J. Haggerty, college basketball’s third-leading scorer a season ago, joins his fifth team in five years.
In an era of collegiate athletics dominated by the transfer portal and name, image, and likeness revenue sharing, however, the Tennessee Volunteers have done a tremendous job limiting roster turnover, particularly on offense.
The 2026 Tennessee Volunteers offensive unit that will line up against Furman Saturday will almost entirely consist of players who began their career with the team.
Faizon Brandon, who enters his true freshman campaign in 2026, initially committed to the Volunteers in August 2024.
Star running back DeSean Bishop enters his junior season having only sported the orange and white.
Receivers Braylon Staley, Mike Matthews, Radarious Jackson, and Travis Smith Jr. also return to the Volunteers, providing a veteran presence that will undoubtedly play a large role in Brandon’s development.
Entering his fourth season with the Volunteers, tight end Ethan Davis is in line for an increased workload with former Tennessee tight end Miles Kitselman signing with the Detroit Lions.
While the Volunteers offense still includes multiple key additions from the transfer portal, including center Sam Pendleton, tackle Ory Williams, and running back Javin Gordon, the high volume of returning talent is remarkably uncommon in today’s NCAA, particularly in the SEC.
Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel believes that in an era defined by change, the team’s continuity could be its greatest advantage.
“The biggest thing you have to do is get everybody on the same page,” Heupel said. “[Our] staff and players [have] worked really hard [at] building connection.”
While Tennessee’s defense has undergone a plethora of changes since firing former defensive coordinator Tim Banks, Heupel remains confident that his defense will play as one.
“I have been proud of the work that our [defensive] players and coaches have put [in] to continue to grow,” Heupel said. “They understand the scope of what we are doing.”
It is almost certain that Heupel deserves credit for retaining the team’s top talent, which could pay massive dividends for the Volunteers down the line.
Current and former Volunteers alike have regularly praised Heupel’s leadership, mentality, and focus on unity.
“It [is not] about him or an individual person on the team,” now-Dallas Cowboys quarterback Joe Milton said. “It is about Tennessee, so make it about Tennessee.”
Assuming Brandon is the quarterback of the future for Tennessee, and five-star freshman T.K. Keys is able to make an immediate impact, Heupel is the perfect coach to keep them in the building for four years.
While the Volunteers may not be poised to compete for a national championship this season, Heupel and the rest of his staff are finally on the verge of something special.
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