The Tennessee Vols’ spring practice is underway, and the Vols are beginning work towards what fans hope is a better 2026 after an 8-5 season last year.

There is plenty of reason to be focus on this particular offseason for the Vols, as there are a handful of particularly notable developments and storylines taking place during Tennessee’s spring practices.

The quarterback battle between George MacIntyre and Faizon Brandon is underway and will be an open one that won’t be decided this spring, per Josh Heupel. Tennessee players continue their physical transformations under the direction and guidance of new strength and conditioning coach Derek Owings. The Vols will also have a completely overhauled defense next season, with new defensive coordinator Jim Knowles in charge and a number of new transfers set to take on key roles, including Penn State edge rusher Chaz Coleman.

However, there’s a new twist in college football this offseason. The post-spring transfer portal window was eliminated, meaning there is no further opportunity for teams to find help after the January portal window closes.

And, according to Heupel during his press conference on Monday, that matters as far as how they handle spring practice with a focus on keeping his players healthy.

Josh Heupel says his program is conscious of keeping players healthy this spring with no second portal window

“Different in that there isn’t a second portal,” Heupel said. “You’ve got to be conscious of keeping your team healthy here as well, because there’s no way to go get another guy here post-spring ball as well.”

As far as whether Tennessee is dealing with any offseason health issues, Heupel did give a positive update on the status of his team, mentioning only LB Arion Carter by name as one of a couple of players working through injuries after the season. Carter dealt with a nagging foot issue throughout the 2025 season.

“I feel like we’re in a pretty healthy spot right now. There’s a couple guys that are still working through post-season injuries — Arion Carter right now — but all those guys have done a really good job in their rehab right now.”

Of course, you can’t completely insulate players from injury, and you can’t back off too far from the physicality that the game requires, even in spring work. But it’s clear that Heupel and his staff are conscious of the constraints of the new college football world that they live in now, and they’re keeping a focus on making sure the risk of injury is down as much as possible.

Tennessee’s spring practice will conclude on Saturday, April 11 with the Orange and White Game at Neyland Stadium.

Tennessee Volunteers News

It took one spring practice video for Tennessee Vols fans to notice something eye-catching about true freshman QB Faizon Brandon

Tennessee Vols true freshman quarterback Faizon Brandon practiced on Monday for the first time this spring.

Zach Ragan