University of Tennessee Athletics
Tennessee Sets New Standards for Academic Excellence
June 04, 2026 | General, Tennessee Tailored
New spring semester record 3.47 GPA
The University of Tennessee's student-athletes recorded the best spring semester in school history in the Spring of 2026 as the student-athlete population recorded a cumulative 3.47 GPA. This followed the best semester GPA in UT history last fall with a 3.49 GPA.
A spring semester record 281 student-athletes were recognized on their respective Dean's List, while 83 percent of Tennessee's student-athletes achieved a 3.00 GPA or higher.
The record-setting fall metrics marked the 27th consecutive semester in which the Vols and Lady Vols combined to post a GPA of 3.0 or higher. For the seventh straight semester, every team in every sport had a GPA above 3.0.
Tennessee Athletics' Rise Glorious Strategic Plan features a directive to "honor the foundation of college sports by maximizing the educational journey of each student-athlete and creating championship-level performance expectations academically."
"We are incredibly proud of our student-athletes' achievements in the classroom," said Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics Danny White. "The 2025-26 academic year saw our student-athletes set new records with the two highest semester GPAs in our history. I commend their dedication and perseverance in reaching these milestones, as well as their ongoing commitment to representing Tennessee with excellence. These accomplishments highlight the effectiveness of our strategic vision and unwavering support for their success."
Eight teams equaled or set new spring GPA records including baseball, men's basketball, football, men's swimming and diving, men's tennis, softball, women's track and field and women's swimming and diving.
"The standard on Rocky Top is for our student-athletes to compete in all that they do and lead the way in all aspects of college sports," said Senior Associate Athletics Director & Assistant Provost Chris Johnson. "These latest numbers, in what will go down as the greatest academic year in the history of Tennessee athletics, are just additional data points that reflect the unwavering commitment our student-athletes, coaches, and staff have to a relentless pursuit of academic excellence and holistic development."
Some of the additional academic highlights from the Spring 2026 semester include:
Â
Â
Â
A spring semester record 281 student-athletes were recognized on their respective Dean's List, while 83 percent of Tennessee's student-athletes achieved a 3.00 GPA or higher.
The record-setting fall metrics marked the 27th consecutive semester in which the Vols and Lady Vols combined to post a GPA of 3.0 or higher. For the seventh straight semester, every team in every sport had a GPA above 3.0.
Tennessee Athletics' Rise Glorious Strategic Plan features a directive to "honor the foundation of college sports by maximizing the educational journey of each student-athlete and creating championship-level performance expectations academically."
"We are incredibly proud of our student-athletes' achievements in the classroom," said Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics Danny White. "The 2025-26 academic year saw our student-athletes set new records with the two highest semester GPAs in our history. I commend their dedication and perseverance in reaching these milestones, as well as their ongoing commitment to representing Tennessee with excellence. These accomplishments highlight the effectiveness of our strategic vision and unwavering support for their success."
Eight teams equaled or set new spring GPA records including baseball, men's basketball, football, men's swimming and diving, men's tennis, softball, women's track and field and women's swimming and diving.
"The standard on Rocky Top is for our student-athletes to compete in all that they do and lead the way in all aspects of college sports," said Senior Associate Athletics Director & Assistant Provost Chris Johnson. "These latest numbers, in what will go down as the greatest academic year in the history of Tennessee athletics, are just additional data points that reflect the unwavering commitment our student-athletes, coaches, and staff have to a relentless pursuit of academic excellence and holistic development."
Some of the additional academic highlights from the Spring 2026 semester include:
- All 16 sports earned a team GPA above 3.00 (seventh consecutive semester)
- 82 student-athletes earned a 4.00 semester GPA (tied for the most in UT history)
- 281 student-athletes were recognized on their respective Dean's Lists (most in UT spring semester history)
- 83 percent of UT's student-athletes earned a 3.00 GPA (most in UT spring semester history)
- 431 student-athletes finished with a 3.00 GPA or higher
- Jourdan Thomas (MFB) was chosen as a Torchbearer (34th student-athlete Torchbearer)
- Sage Mardjetko (WSB) SEC Softball Scholar-Athlete of the Year
- Martin Espernberger (MSW) H. Boyd McWhorter Student-Athlete of the Year
Â
Â
Thursday, May 07
Thursday, April 30
Thursday, April 23
Thursday, April 16
