Tennessee opened fall training camp at Haslam Field with a 17-period individual workout, and early signposts from camp already shape the 2026 Tennessee depth chart projection. The starting quarterback remains undecided and clarity up front is urgent before the Sept. 5 opener vs Furman at Neyland Stadium.
An early projection from Vols Wire (Tennessee) lays out a full offensive two-deep and highlights the players expected to handle the bulk of reps heading into the regular season.
Key Takeaways
- The projection presents a complete offensive two-deep that establishes early starters and immediate backups for each position group.
- Brandon Faizon is listed as the projected starting quarterback while George MacIntyre is projected as the primary backup.
- The Vols opened camp with a 17-period individual workout that emphasized fundamentals and rep volume for position battles.
- Veteran pieces anchor several groups while freshmen and sophomores are slotted into rotation roles early in camp.
2026 Tennessee depth chart quarterback competition
The projected depth chart lists freshman Brandon Faizon as the projected QB1 with sophomore George MacIntyre backing him up. Multiple rostered quarterbacks, including Mason Phillips and senior Ryan Staub, remain part of the competition window during fall camp.
That designation is a snapshot rather than a final answer, and reps through camp will determine week-one status. The projection frames the timeline around Faizon’s early-enrollee status and MacIntyre’s return as a younger option pushing for the job.
Skill positions and rotation notes
The projected running-back two-deep lists DeSean Bishop as the lead back with Javin Gordon as the primary reserve. That pairing pairs a veteran presence with a younger backup expected to rotate early and often.
At receiver the projection separates X, Z and slot roles, with TK Keys projected at X and Mike Matthews listed as the Z starter while Braylon Staley is slotted as the primary slot receiver. The two-deep shows several underclassmen in early roles behind established starters, creating matchup flexibility and situational packages.
Rotation, matchup and situational notes
Tight end depth shows Ethan Davis as the starter with DaSaahn Brame and Cole Harrison listed behind him, suggesting a mix of blocking chops and developmental pass-catching depth. The projected alignment creates short-term opportunities for incoming underclassmen to impact special teams and situational packages.
Coaching choices indicated by the two-deep favor veteran snaps in base sets while younger players earn early-game series and rotational reps. The chart leaves room for change if camp evaluations or in-practice performance push other players up the chart.
Offensive line experience comparison
| Position | Projected starter (class) | Projected backup (class) |
|---|---|---|
| Left tackle | David Sanders Jr. (sophomore) | Gabriel Osenda (freshman) |
| Left guard | Wendell Moe Jr. (fifth year) | Shamurad Umarov (senior) |
| Center | Sam Pendleton (senior) | Nic Moore (sophomore) |
| Right guard | Jesse Perry (junior) | Donovan Haslam (fifth year) |
| Right tackle | Ory Williams (junior) | Jesse Perry (junior) |
The offensive line projection highlights a mixture of youth and returning experience across the five spots. Multiple projected starters are underclassmen while backups include upperclassmen who offer depth and potential midseason stability.
SEC positioning and CFP implications
Early clarity at quarterback and continuity along the offensive line will be essential for Tennessee to navigate a demanding conference slate and pursue College Football Playoff positioning. NIL and recruiting dynamics will influence roster construction in the expanded SEC and affect how quickly depth charts stabilize through the season.
With the Sept. 5 opener at Neyland Stadium against Furman, the window to finalize roles is compressed and opening-game performance will be an early indicator of whether the projected two-deep holds. Fans should watch quarterback reps and offensive-line matchups in camp for the clearest signs of where the team stands entering conference play.
