This is the second of two quick early looks at the upcoming SEC opponents the Volunteers will face this season.
As the conference is every year, 2026 for the SEC will be yet another competitive one, and the Tennessee Vols will be right in the middle of the fire yet again.
As spring action enters its final weeks, let's take a look at where the remaining Vols opponents stand entering the season:
South Carolina
The Gamecocks welcome the Vols to Columbia, South Carolina, for what is marked as the Vols' eighth game of the season.
The Gamecocks received some big news at the start of the offseason when their quarterback, LaNorris Sellers, announced he is returning for his senior season. Sellers had an up-and-down 2025 season, throwing 2,437 yards with 13 touchdowns and 8 interceptions.
Two X-factors outside the quarterback position for the Gamecocks include wideout Nyck Harbor and Caleb Herring. While linebacker Dylan Stewart leads the charge on the defensive front, he can’t do it alone. Herring, a transfer out of Tennessee, brings experience and size, standing at 6-foot-5 and weighing 245 pounds.
While those two lead the defense, Harbor enters his senior season as the team’s main wide receiver. He tallied 618 yards last season over 30 receptions.
While there are some bright spots, the Gamecocks had to spend the offseason revamping their offensive line after a rough 2025 campaign, where the team allowed 43 sacks. Questions still surround how quickly this new group can put together success.
Kentucky
The third team on the Vols' schedule to have brought in a new coach over the offseason, the Kentucky Wildcats brought in Oregon Ducks offensive coordinator Will Stein to lead the team.
Stein immediately went to work revamping the roster, bringing in quarterback Kenny Minchey out of Notre Dame to be the team’s starter. The entire offense saw a revamp outside of Minchey as well.
Former Tennessee offensive lineman Lance Heard joined the offensive line and stands in as the team's left tackle. All but the right tackle position is projected to be manned by a transfer from the 2026 class.
Offensive playmakers, including running back CJ Baxter, with wideouts Nic Anderson and Shane Carr, add to the potential of the offensive group.
Cornerback Grant Grayton, a member of the Wildcats, spoke about facing the offense in spring practice.
“They’re going to love Shane Carr,” said Grayton. “Shane Carr is very explosive. Kenny Minchey's very accurate. The passing game is going to be crazy. The run game is also really good. Overall, it’s just a really good offense.”
Texas A&M
The Aggies playoff aspirations have not wavered after a solid start to head coach Mike Elko’s career in 2025. Now, the team returns its starting quarterback, Marcel Reed, for the next season.
Joining Reed is a wide receiver room that has potential, as Mario Craver, Isaiah Horton, and Ashton Bethel-Roman all slot as possible starters. Craver finished last season with 59 receptions for 917 yards, ranked 38th in the nation.
“We have real dogs, people who understand the game of football more than just being good at it, but we understand the game,” receiver Bethel-Roman said. “We know ball knowledge and stuff like that. I feel like we could be No. 1, like the best in the nation.”
While the defense was strong last season, it struggled to generate turnovers and limit the run game. Despite some roster turnover, the Aggies dominated the portal, landing a handful of impact defenders, including former Vol Rickey Gibson.
Along with the defense, the Aggies will need Reed to continue taking steps forward as a top quarterback in the conference.
LSU
Without question, one of the most active teams in the 2025-26 offseason, the LSU Tigers are the fourth and final team the Vols will face that added a new coach.
Lane Kiffin departed Ole Miss to coach the Tigers, and he brought in a handful of talent with him. His new starting quarterback is also a transfer, Sam Leavitt from Arizona State.
One of the Tigers' largest offseason fixes was attention toward the offensive line, with only two set starting spots with Braelin Moore at center and Jordan Seaton at left tackle.
Vanderbilt
The final game of the regular season remains a rivalry matchup against the in-state Vanderbilt Commodores.
The Commodores will be running out a new starting quarterback for the season, as Diego Pavia heads to the NFL Draft. Five-star true freshman Jared Curtis seems in line for the starting spot.
"I think a young player needs room and time to develop. I've been impressed with his toughness and felt like he had a good offseason,” Vanderbilt head coach Clark Lea said. “It's fun to kind of get to know him through this because obviously the recruiting was really quick for him, but he fits in really well with who we are and has earned the respect of his teammates. But, you know, I mean, inevitably, he's got a long way to go.”
Defensively, linebacker Bryan Longwell has impressed during spring scrimmages.
“I mean, I think he’s one the best, if not, the best in our conference. That’s how I feel about him. He’s fast, athletic. He’s gone the long, hard way as a player, 2023 was his first year and he was forced into action early. I remember talking to him after that season about how disappointed he was,” Lea said. “He finishes and wants to be a great player. He’s become such a rock in our program.”
The Commodores finished with 10 wins in a program-defining season, but now they aim to build on that.