The Tennessee Vols need center Sam Pendleton to take a big step forward in 2026.

Especially with a young quarterback starting in either redshirt freshman George MacIntyre or true freshman Faizon Brandon.

Pendleton, who transferred from Notre Dame to Tennessee ahead of the 2025 season, started all 13 games at center for the Vols last season.

The North Carolina native played well, but he had a few moments — such as some bad snaps — that he’d like to have back.

Bad snaps are something the Volunteers can’t afford if the program is going to surprise folks this fall. We saw last season how one catastrophic play can completely change the outcome of a game.

One reason Pendleton wasn’t at his best last season is because he played injured for much of the year.

“I think he’s got to step up,” said VolQuest’s Austin Price on 104.5 The Zone’s Ramon and Will on Tuesday of Pendleton. “Now, he played a lot of last year injured. I’m telling you, he was beat up bad. He gutted it out and toughed it out. But he’s got to try to stay healthy this year. I think they need him to be good.

“Listen, Nic Moore is the guy behind him. They really like Nic Moore. I think if you had an older quarterback, Nic Moore, the option there (to start) may be even greater than it is. Can you really roll into a year with an inexperienced quarterback and an inexperienced center? I think you need Pendleton to be good. Now, I don’t think they’ll blink — if Pendleton struggles, Nic Moore’s got a real shot to step in there and help this football team at the center spot. But I think you need the older veteran guy to help a younger quarterback, in my opinion.”

Pendleton suffered an ankle injury in Tennessee’s win over Mississippi State early last season.

“Sam Pendleton, he had a rolled ankle, bad,” said Ramon Foster on Ramon and Will after the Mississippi State game. “Brent Hubbs (VolQuest reporter and Vol Network analyst) told us after the game, if the Vols had to go back out there, he wouldn’t have been available. You would have had William Satterwhite (in at center). [Pendleton] went into the tent.”

Pendleton is expected to be healthy this fall, but he’s coming off an uneven spring.

“Pendleton, by talking to people, it sounds like he got pushed around a little bit in the spring by some of the interior defensive linemen,” said Price on WNML in April. “Is that an open competition? Or just because he’s an older guy and was the starter a year ago, is that a locked in spot for him this fall? Where does that thing take us come August? To me, that’s a question I think bears watching.”

It seems like Pendleton is going to be the guy to start the season, but Moore will be breathing down his neck.

And Moore, as Price noted, is a guy the Vols really like.

“Nic [is] super talented,” said Tennessee offensive line coach Glen Elarbee in March. “He’s done a great job. So much more consistent. Again, everything’s just slowed down for him. He’s powerful. In the run game, he can create movement. He can anchor. He’s done a great job. He’s had to take a few more reps this spring, but he’s done a good job with it.”

This will be an interesting battle to watch unfold this fall. The good news either way, though, is that Tennessee finally has some quality center depth.