KNOXVILLE, TN - March 26, 2026 - Linebacker Jadon Perlotte #27 and Defensive back Dejuan Lane #23 of the Tennessee Volunteers during the Football Spring Scrimmage at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, TN. Photo By Kyndall Williams/Tennessee Athletics

KNOXVILLE - Forty-six new players got their first Neyland Stadium experience in uniform as Tennessee football held its first spring scrimmage on Thursday morning.

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 said continues to make significant strides.
 

"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."

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. 

Tennessee returns to the practice field on Saturday to close its second week of spring ball.


Source: Tennessee Athletics