Five Tennessee football players just got tabbed for the 2026 Preseason Coaches All-SEC Team. We are talking about some serious talent on both sides of the ball getting the nod, and if the league coaches are calling it early, then the rest of the SEC better pay attention to what’s brewing in Knoxville.
Offensive Firepower Ready to Explode
The Vols are loading up on offense with three guys making the Third-Team All-SEC. First up, DeSean Bishop is back for his second season as Tennessee’s starting running back, and holy smokes, this guy is a beast. He snagged Second-Team All-SEC honors in 2025, ripping off 1,076 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns on 182 attempts. That’s not a typo, sixteen scores! He was the first 1,000-yard rusher to return for the Vols since Jalen Hurd way back in 2016. Bishop also hauled in 15 receptions for 135 yards, ending his season with a team-high 1,211 all-purpose yards, averaging 93.2 per game. Remember, this dude was a former walk-on, too. What a story!
Then there’s Wendell Moe Jr., another Arizona transfer, entering his final collegiate season. He already bagged First-Team All-SEC honors from the Associated Press after starting 11 games and playing over 2,400 snaps. The man allowed just two sacks all year. Moe Jr. is on the Walter Camp Preseason All-America Second Team and is even on the Outland Trophy preseason watch list. That’s big-time recognition. And don’t forget David Sanders Jr., who’s only in his second season after earning Freshman All-America honors last year. He started six of nine games at right tackle, logging 480 offensive snaps, and get this: he didn’t allow a single sack in eight of those contests. This offensive line is looking absolutely SOLID.
Defense Is Stepping Up Big
On the defensive side, the Vols are bringing the pain with two more Third-Team All-SEC selections. Arion Carter is back for his senior season, and he led the entire SEC in tackles per game in 2025. Yeah, you read that right: *the entire SEC*. He started nine of ten games, racking up six tackles for a loss, two pass breakups, two quarterback hurries, 1.5 sacks, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery. The guy does it all!
And then there’s Ty Redmond, entering his sophomore year after a phenomenal freshman season. He earned Freshman All-America honors and was already recognized by the league’s coaches with Third-Team All-SEC. Redmond started the final 12 games as a freshman and absolutely locked down the secondary. He led the SEC with 15 passes defended and 12 pass breakups. Plus, he tied for sixth in the SEC with three interceptions. That’s insane production for a freshman!
Fall training camp already kicked off on August 5, and with these five studs getting preseason recognition, you know the energy is through the roof. The Vols are stacked with talent, and these guys are ready to prove the coaches right. Get ready, college football, this season is going to be a wild ride!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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