University of Tennessee Athletics
Photo by: Kate Luffman/Tennessee Athletics
Vols Complete First Spring Scrimmage
March 26, 2026 | Football
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- Forty-six new players got their first Neyland Stadium experience in uniform as Tennessee football held its first spring scrimmage on Thursday morning.Â
The Volunteers conducted a two-hour scrimmage that featured thud periods, some live tackling and all quarterbacks getting reps with the first team. Defensive coordinator Jim Knowles' new defense was on display with several new faces, a unit that head coach Josh Heupel continues to make significant strides.Â
"I thought defensively, we played extremely well," Heupel said. "(We) created a couple of turnovers, but played assignment sound, fit the run game pretty well and didn't give up a lot of big plays. Good day. I thought through the first seven days, those guys have really continued to grow, build and master what we're doing on that side of the football."Â
Returning cornerback and 2025 Freshman All-American Ty Redmond showed his lockdown capabilities with multiple pass breakups and an interception. Redmond led the entire SEC in passes defended (15) in his first collegiate season last fall.Â
Quotes from Heupel's Thursday press conference are below.Â
Tennessee returns to the practice field on Saturday to close its second week of spring ball.Â
Tennessee Football Press Conference | March 26, 2026
Head Coach Josh Heupel
Opening statement…
"I want to start by wishing Coach (Rick) Barnes and the basketball team good luck as they get ready for a Sweet Sixteen ballgame tomorrow night. Looking forward to watching them. Today, scrimmage day. Seven days in. A lot of really good work. I thought defensively, we played extremely well. We created a couple of turnovers, but played assignment sound, fit the run game pretty well and didn't give up a lot of big plays. Good day. I thought through the first seven days, those guys have really continued to grow, build and master what we're doing on that side of the football. Offensively, there's some real positives too. A couple penalties that we have to play smarter in as we continue to learn how to play smart football. But all-in-all, a really good day of work, and we got some special teams work in as well."
Â
On his encouragement of the quarterbacks after the first spring scrimmage…
"From play-to-play, you have to learn how to play the next one. From a half of football to the next half, and from day-to-day. You have to be able to reset and go play the next play or next day. It is a marathon. You also have to sprint that marathon to become as good as you can as fast as you can. But I think being able to reset, recharge and be able to go play the next play or the next day is really important. With all of the learning that's taking place around you – from offensive line, running backs, tight ends, receivers, all of that – it applies a different pressure at the quarterbacks position as guys are learning to target the right guys in pass protection, whatever that might be. But all of those adverse situations are also helping you prepare for what it can be in the fall and how to play smart football. Both of those guys (George MacIntyre and Faizon Brandon) and (Ryan Staub), they've done good job growing through seven days. There will be a couple things to learn from today, but there were a lot of real positives too."
Â
On George MacIntyre's ability to process with a year in the program under his belt…
"I think even Day 1 or 2 of spring ball, from where he was at the end of the season, you can see the steps that he's taken. So, really pleased with that. Faizon (Brandon) has done the same thing in learning the offense. Ryan (Staub), those guys continue to progress. There's some fundamental things that they have to continue to grow in, but pleased with that entire group and how they functioned and operated the first seven days."
Â
On Faizon Brandon's operation of the offense in Thursday's scrimmage…
"There were a couple mechanical things, just how you're calling it in the huddle or operation-wise, coming off of a penalty or some of those things, that as you get more experience become ingrained in you. But all-in-all, I thought all three of the quarterbacks, including Faizon, did a really good job on that side of it."
Â
On the evaluation of a scrimmage with 46 new players compared to previous seasons…
"This time of year, there's so much growth that has to happen. Coaches have to apply pressure to the players, and players have to apply pressure to each other, to become as good as you can as fast as you can. Build and master ownership of fundamentals and technique, scheme. Through the winter and what we've done the first seven days, I like where we're trending and where we're going. Defensively, new system, I thought they operated extremely well within the scope of that. At this point, you've got so far to go. And that's true every year. It's just continuing to apply pressure and take advantage of every moment, every day."
Â
On the defense's progress through seven spring practices…
"I do like where we're at for seven practices in. That's our entire defense, it's young guys, where they're continuing to trend. I think our staff has done a really good job in the install process, of giving them an opportunity to truly grab on and grasp what they're doing. That was true late in the winter into what we've done in the early part of spring ball. So, players and staff have worked hard. I like where we're at in our understanding. There's still a lot of growth within it."
Â
On the stylistic difference between this year's defense compared to last year…
"At the end of the day, we're going to play aggressive. We want to control and own the line of scrimmage. That's your front four and your second level for sure. Multiple in pressures, multiple in our fronts. At the end of the day, we have to continue to grow in the scheme, to play assignment sound, and then fundamentals and technique have to continue to grow. That's taking on blocks, it's shedding blocks, it's tackling in space, all of those things."
Â
On the running back group, specifically DeSean Bishop…
"Really good competition inside of that room. A lot of guys that have the ability to go and play at a really high level. The new guys have grasped what we're doing offensively, really quickly. Some of the young guys from a year ago had great winters; their size, their movement, all of that has continued to grow. So, really good competition. DeSean (Bishop) has had a great start to it. We limited him in today's scrimmage a little bit, just not as much live tackle work for him, but he's had a great start."
Â
On how much the Penn State transfers on defense have accelerated the defensive install…
"I think having coaches that are familiar with it and getting that in a clear, concise way to our defensive players holistically as a unit and as a position group has helped with that process. Some of those guys that have familiarity with it, absolutely. That's on the field, but it's also just clearly defining some things as they spend extra time trying to learn what we're doing."
On the defensive line's progress with the absence of defensive line coach Rodney Garner on the practice field…
"I think they've handled it well. They still have Rodney's voice loud and clear in the meeting room for sure. Excited to get Rodney back here, hopefully pretty quickly as he comes out the backside of this."
On any position groups that are ahead of schedule developmentally…
"I don't know that I'd say ahead of schedule, but holistically, I like where the offensive line is trending. I like a lot of what I see from the defensive line. Our secondary, that's transfers, it's new guys, I like the length, the athleticism and the understanding of what we're doing defensively. So, a lot of positives, and just have to continue to grow. We were the youngest team in the league (last season). You just look at freshman snaps a year ago, offensively, defensively and special teams. A lot of young guys that have the opportunity to continue to grow, take jobs and get ready to compete in the fall."
On DaSaahn Brame and other tight ends stepping into new roles…
"Yeah, the two guys (Luca Wolf, Trent Thomas) you mentioned at the end have done a really good job. They have played physical in the scope of what we're doing offensively – from tempo, to shift trade motion, to run-game, pass-game protection piece. They have handled that install in a really good way for new tight ends, looking at them through seven days. DaSaahn, a young guy, extremely talented, missed really all of spring ball and a portion of summer last year, coming in with an injury from high school. His growth during the year, he's had a great off season. I just think his complete understanding of what we're doing is allowing him and his traits to show up in a way that you would hope and expect in year two. I expect him to play a lot of really good football."
Â
On one word to describe week two of spring practice and the first scrimmage…
"I'll say competitive. These guys have attacked every day, every rep, and compete extremely hard."
Â
On what he likes most from the team overall…
"I like the physical traits, but I like the competitive makeup of this group. They've competed in practice extremely hard, and you don't have to push them to keep going. They embrace and take advantage of every opportunity that we've had out on the field. (Derek Owings) has done the same thing in the weight room, growing that mindset, and so holistically in every area in our program, I've liked the way they have attacked everything that we're doing."
The Volunteers conducted a two-hour scrimmage that featured thud periods, some live tackling and all quarterbacks getting reps with the first team. Defensive coordinator Jim Knowles' new defense was on display with several new faces, a unit that head coach Josh Heupel continues to make significant strides.Â
"I thought defensively, we played extremely well," Heupel said. "(We) created a couple of turnovers, but played assignment sound, fit the run game pretty well and didn't give up a lot of big plays. Good day. I thought through the first seven days, those guys have really continued to grow, build and master what we're doing on that side of the football."Â
Returning cornerback and 2025 Freshman All-American Ty Redmond showed his lockdown capabilities with multiple pass breakups and an interception. Redmond led the entire SEC in passes defended (15) in his first collegiate season last fall.Â
Quotes from Heupel's Thursday press conference are below.Â
Tennessee returns to the practice field on Saturday to close its second week of spring ball.Â
Tennessee Football Press Conference | March 26, 2026
Head Coach Josh Heupel
Opening statement…
"I want to start by wishing Coach (Rick) Barnes and the basketball team good luck as they get ready for a Sweet Sixteen ballgame tomorrow night. Looking forward to watching them. Today, scrimmage day. Seven days in. A lot of really good work. I thought defensively, we played extremely well. We created a couple of turnovers, but played assignment sound, fit the run game pretty well and didn't give up a lot of big plays. Good day. I thought through the first seven days, those guys have really continued to grow, build and master what we're doing on that side of the football. Offensively, there's some real positives too. A couple penalties that we have to play smarter in as we continue to learn how to play smart football. But all-in-all, a really good day of work, and we got some special teams work in as well."
Â
On his encouragement of the quarterbacks after the first spring scrimmage…
"From play-to-play, you have to learn how to play the next one. From a half of football to the next half, and from day-to-day. You have to be able to reset and go play the next play or next day. It is a marathon. You also have to sprint that marathon to become as good as you can as fast as you can. But I think being able to reset, recharge and be able to go play the next play or the next day is really important. With all of the learning that's taking place around you – from offensive line, running backs, tight ends, receivers, all of that – it applies a different pressure at the quarterbacks position as guys are learning to target the right guys in pass protection, whatever that might be. But all of those adverse situations are also helping you prepare for what it can be in the fall and how to play smart football. Both of those guys (George MacIntyre and Faizon Brandon) and (Ryan Staub), they've done good job growing through seven days. There will be a couple things to learn from today, but there were a lot of real positives too."
Â
On George MacIntyre's ability to process with a year in the program under his belt…
"I think even Day 1 or 2 of spring ball, from where he was at the end of the season, you can see the steps that he's taken. So, really pleased with that. Faizon (Brandon) has done the same thing in learning the offense. Ryan (Staub), those guys continue to progress. There's some fundamental things that they have to continue to grow in, but pleased with that entire group and how they functioned and operated the first seven days."
Â
On Faizon Brandon's operation of the offense in Thursday's scrimmage…
"There were a couple mechanical things, just how you're calling it in the huddle or operation-wise, coming off of a penalty or some of those things, that as you get more experience become ingrained in you. But all-in-all, I thought all three of the quarterbacks, including Faizon, did a really good job on that side of it."
Â
On the evaluation of a scrimmage with 46 new players compared to previous seasons…
"This time of year, there's so much growth that has to happen. Coaches have to apply pressure to the players, and players have to apply pressure to each other, to become as good as you can as fast as you can. Build and master ownership of fundamentals and technique, scheme. Through the winter and what we've done the first seven days, I like where we're trending and where we're going. Defensively, new system, I thought they operated extremely well within the scope of that. At this point, you've got so far to go. And that's true every year. It's just continuing to apply pressure and take advantage of every moment, every day."
Â
On the defense's progress through seven spring practices…
"I do like where we're at for seven practices in. That's our entire defense, it's young guys, where they're continuing to trend. I think our staff has done a really good job in the install process, of giving them an opportunity to truly grab on and grasp what they're doing. That was true late in the winter into what we've done in the early part of spring ball. So, players and staff have worked hard. I like where we're at in our understanding. There's still a lot of growth within it."
Â
On the stylistic difference between this year's defense compared to last year…
"At the end of the day, we're going to play aggressive. We want to control and own the line of scrimmage. That's your front four and your second level for sure. Multiple in pressures, multiple in our fronts. At the end of the day, we have to continue to grow in the scheme, to play assignment sound, and then fundamentals and technique have to continue to grow. That's taking on blocks, it's shedding blocks, it's tackling in space, all of those things."
Â
On the running back group, specifically DeSean Bishop…
"Really good competition inside of that room. A lot of guys that have the ability to go and play at a really high level. The new guys have grasped what we're doing offensively, really quickly. Some of the young guys from a year ago had great winters; their size, their movement, all of that has continued to grow. So, really good competition. DeSean (Bishop) has had a great start to it. We limited him in today's scrimmage a little bit, just not as much live tackle work for him, but he's had a great start."
Â
On how much the Penn State transfers on defense have accelerated the defensive install…
"I think having coaches that are familiar with it and getting that in a clear, concise way to our defensive players holistically as a unit and as a position group has helped with that process. Some of those guys that have familiarity with it, absolutely. That's on the field, but it's also just clearly defining some things as they spend extra time trying to learn what we're doing."
On the defensive line's progress with the absence of defensive line coach Rodney Garner on the practice field…
"I think they've handled it well. They still have Rodney's voice loud and clear in the meeting room for sure. Excited to get Rodney back here, hopefully pretty quickly as he comes out the backside of this."
On any position groups that are ahead of schedule developmentally…
"I don't know that I'd say ahead of schedule, but holistically, I like where the offensive line is trending. I like a lot of what I see from the defensive line. Our secondary, that's transfers, it's new guys, I like the length, the athleticism and the understanding of what we're doing defensively. So, a lot of positives, and just have to continue to grow. We were the youngest team in the league (last season). You just look at freshman snaps a year ago, offensively, defensively and special teams. A lot of young guys that have the opportunity to continue to grow, take jobs and get ready to compete in the fall."
On DaSaahn Brame and other tight ends stepping into new roles…
"Yeah, the two guys (Luca Wolf, Trent Thomas) you mentioned at the end have done a really good job. They have played physical in the scope of what we're doing offensively – from tempo, to shift trade motion, to run-game, pass-game protection piece. They have handled that install in a really good way for new tight ends, looking at them through seven days. DaSaahn, a young guy, extremely talented, missed really all of spring ball and a portion of summer last year, coming in with an injury from high school. His growth during the year, he's had a great off season. I just think his complete understanding of what we're doing is allowing him and his traits to show up in a way that you would hope and expect in year two. I expect him to play a lot of really good football."
Â
On one word to describe week two of spring practice and the first scrimmage…
"I'll say competitive. These guys have attacked every day, every rep, and compete extremely hard."
Â
On what he likes most from the team overall…
"I like the physical traits, but I like the competitive makeup of this group. They've competed in practice extremely hard, and you don't have to push them to keep going. They embrace and take advantage of every opportunity that we've had out on the field. (Derek Owings) has done the same thing in the weight room, growing that mindset, and so holistically in every area in our program, I've liked the way they have attacked everything that we're doing."
Players Mentioned
RB
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TE
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QB
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QB
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DB
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