The University of Tennessee released its updated 2026 football roster on Friday, listing a string of jersey-number changes and several significant weight gains that reflect the program’s offseason priorities under new strength coach Derek Owings.
Who changed numbers
Several Vols will wear new jersey numbers when preseason work begins. Among the moves listed on the update:
- Justin Baker (RB) — No. 2
- Xavier Gilliam (DT) — No. 2
- Radarious Jackson (WR) — No. 3
- Tre Poteat (CB) — No. 3
- Tristen Keys (WR) — No. 5
- Javin Gordon (RB) — No. 6
- Joakim Dodson (WR) — No. 9
- George MacIntyre (QB) — No. 12
- Nathan Robinson (DL) — No. 19
The update also flagged number assignments for a handful of freshmen and recent transfers, including Faizon Brandon at No. 11 and Tyreek King at No. 19.
Where the roster shows added bulk
The most eye-catching entries on the roster are the weight increases for several players. Tennessee’s staff has emphasized positional strength work this offseason, and the figures suggest the Vols are prioritizing physical development ahead of the season.
| Player | Position | Listed weight |
|---|---|---|
| Christian Gass | EDGE | 245 lbs |
| George MacIntyre | QB | 208 lbs |
| DaShaan Brame | TE | 240 lbs |
| DeSean Bishop | RB | 215 lbs |
Of those, Christian Gass stands out: the roster lists him at 245 pounds, which is roughly a 30-pound increase from prior listings. That gain comes as Tennessee looks for more depth and production on the edge.
“If it does not make you better at your position, I don’t waste your time,” Owings said when he was hired. “We don’t have enough time in the day, week, calendar to do fluff. If it does not make you a better running back, we’re not going to do it.”
The roster shows quarterback George MacIntyre at 208 pounds, a roughly 15-pound increase from last season. MacIntyre’s added bulk has been much discussed since spring as the staff addressed a quarterback depth chart with limited experience. Tight end DaShaan Brame is listed at 240 pounds, and running back DeSean Bishop is listed at 215 pounds, up from about 200 during last season’s campaign when he battled midseason injuries.
These adjustments reflect both physical-targeted work and positional planning. The coaching staff has indicated it targeted weight and strength gains that translate to on-field performance rather than aesthetic changes, and the roster numbers offer the first public glimpse of that work.
For Volunteers fans, the roster update offers tangible signs of how the offseason shape-up is proceeding — from who will wear which numbers in practice to which players the staff expects to lean on physically when camp and the season arrive.
Fall camp approaches and the updated roster will serve as a reference for position battles and depth charts as Tennessee prepares for the coming season.
