Where things stand.
The college football season is officially over, and the first transfer portal period is winding down quickly. For the most part, you pretty much know what you have on the roster going into 2026 at this point, outside of some potential for minor additions in the small spring portal period.
For this post we’ll focus on the offensive side of the ball, which has been hit with big time turnover so far this offseason. A huge exit on the receiver depth chart, no more Dylan Sampson and as many as four starters gone from the offensive line? There will be plenty of new faces featured in Josh Heupel’s offense this coming fall. We’ll get a taste during the spring period in a little over a month.
Let’s talk through the new-look positions.
Quarterback
- Nico Iamaleava
- Jake Merklinger
- George MacIntyre
The quarterback depth chart is pretty straightforward. Gaston Moore has moved on in hopes of finding playing time with one season of eligibility remaining. This means Tennessee will be relying on Jake Merklinger and George MacIntyre to backup returning starter Nico Iamaleava, who will be looking to make a big jump in year No. 2.
Merklinger and MacIntyre are obviously unknowns entering 2025. We’ve seen a little bit from Merklinger, mainly in last season’s Orange and White Game. He brings an element of athleticism to the table, and it will be interesting to see how he operates within the system after a year of seasoning.
For MacIntyre, it’s simply about getting up to speed. He’ll be one of the top storylines to follow over the next three months.
Running Back
- Peyton Lewis
- DeSean Bishop
- Star Thomas
- Duane Morris
- Justin Baker
Dylan Sampson is no more — it’s a completely new era in the Tennessee backfield. Sampson’s bellcow 2024 season vaulted him into the Tennessee record books, but now it’s next man up.
Tennessee is looking at a three-headed attack as things stand. Former four-star prospect and rising sophomore back Peyton Lewis is the favorite to take over the top role, but really it’s going to be a shared approach. The days of Jabari Small, Jaylen Wright and Dylan Sampson in 2023 paint a picture of how the staff may use this top three, with DeSean Bishop and now Star Thomas in the picture.
Heupel will undoubtedly use all three to keep everyone fresh. We’ll see how big of a step Lewis and Bishop can take as they get another offseason under their belts.
Wide Receiver
Outside: Chris Brazzell, Mike Matthews, Amari Jefferson
Slot: Braylon Staley, Boo Carter?
Depth: Travis Smith, Radarious Jackson, Joakim Dodson
If there’s one spot on the roster where Tennessee can’t be done adding to, it’s this one. I’d expect Tennessee to be aggressive in the spring period here, simply to get enough depth to feel comfortable with.
As things stand, Tennessee has all their eggs in the Mike Matthews/Chris Brazzell basket. Brazzell saw plenty of playing time last season as a redshirt sophomore with up and down results. Matthews flashed hard, and you could make the argument he deserved more playing time. Tennessee fought hard to keep him and apparently made the right promises about the passing game to make him stay in Knoxville. Without Dylan Sampson, it makes sense that Tennessee could air it out a little more.
Braylon Staley got thrown in the deep end of the pool against Ohio State in the College Football Playoff due to injuries, and now he’s the odds on favorite to be the starter at the slot position. Could Boo Carter factor in here? It’s possible after Carter expressed an interest to play on both sides of the ball as transfer portal rumors swirled. Carter could provide Tennessee with another body here, especially with Jourdan Thomas expected to return to the defensive backfield.
From there, it’s a mess. You’ve got a wildcard in Amari Jefferson coming off of injury, along with three true freshmen that are likely going to have to be ready to play, barring an add or two out of the portal. Getting all of them up to speed this offseason has to take priority. As we’ve seen time and time again, injuries are going to happen. As things stand right now, Tennessee isn’t ready for them.
Tight End
- Miles Kitselman
- Ethan Davis
- Da’Saahn Brame
- Jack VanDorselaer
- Cole Harrison
Kitselman will return to his big role for a final season while Davis will back him up and appear in two tight end sets. Not a big change here outside of losing Holden Staes to the portal.
Brame and VanDorselaer will be interesting to monitor — could a versatile Brame help out in the shallow receiver room? That could be worth a look.
Offensive Line
LT: Lance Heard
LG: Wendell Moe
C: William Satterwhite
RG: Sam Pendleton, Andrej Karic (?)
RT: David Sanders
Potential Rotational: OT Larry Johnson, OT Jesse Perry, OT Bennett Warren, OG Sham Umarov, OG Max Anderson, OG Ayden Bussell
There’s still one situation to figure out here as Andrej Karic will appeal to the NCAA for one more season of eligibility. Karic’s 2023 never got off the ground, and the veteran is hoping for one more season on Rocky Top as a result. We’ll see.
Tennessee returns Lance Heard who will likely once again fill the left tackle spot. It’s worth noting that true five-star freshman David Sanders appears to have a leg up in the athleticism department, so it will be up to the staff to figure out where each man fits best. Larry Johnson could also factor into the tackle equation after getting playing time near the end of last season.
Expect Tennessee to work a few guys at center to build depth following the departures of Cooper Mays and Vysen Lang. William Satterwhite seems to be the favorite, though Sam Pendleton could see time, especially if Karic returns. Pendleton and Wendell Moe were big gets out of the portal for Tennessee and should be plug and play starters.
Several other names will get chance to prove themselves this spring and fall into that 6/7/8 OL role.