Tennessee had four players named to the 2026 Preseason All-SEC teams by the media, which were announced by the conference on Friday following the conclusion of SEC Media Days in Tampa.
The Volunteers had three offensive players tabbed as third-team selections, led by running back DeSean Bishop. The offensive line pairing of Wendell Moe Jr. and David Sanders Jr. joined Bishop on the third team.
Veteran linebacker Arion Carter was UT’s lone representative on the defensive side of the ball, earning third team recognition, as well.
Bishop is back for his redshirt junior season after earning All-SEC second-team honors last season. The Knoxville native is Tennessee’s first returning 1,000-yard rusher since Jalen Hurd in 2016 after finishing the 2025 season ranked fourth in the SEC in total rushing yards (1,076) and fifth in rushing yards per game (82.8).
In his first year as a starter, Bishop also compiled 16 rushing touchdowns, which was tied for the second most in the league and sixth in the FBS. The former walk-on was also a semifinalist for the Burlsworth Trophy in 2025.
Moe Jr. enters his second year on Rocky Top and his final collegiate season in 2026 after earning All-SEC first team accolades from the Associated Press in 2025. The imposing offensive guard started 11 games and allowed just one sack in 689 offensive snaps played last year to help anchor the offensive line of the No. 7 ranked offense in college football. The California native has also been tabbed a Walter Camp Preseason All-American entering this season.
Sanders Jr. also returns for his second season in the Orange and White after garnering SEC All-Freshman team recognition and multiple Freshman All-America honors during his rookie campaign in 2025.
After missing the start of the year with an injury, the blue-chip recruit started nine games with six starts as a true freshman at right tackle and did not allow a sack in eight of nine contests he played in. Sanders Jr. is expected to start at left tackle for the Vols this season.
After withdrawing his name from the 2026 NFL Draft in January, Carter returns for his senior season after leading the SEC in tackles per game (7.6) despite battling a foot injury for a large part of last year.
One of the most experienced linebackers in the conference, Carter has played in 31 games and made 22 starts during his time at UT. The Smyrna, Tennessee, native, filled up the stat sheet last season, totaling a career-high 76 tackles to go along with six tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, two pass breakups, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.
The Vols open their 2026 campaign at home on Sept. 5 against Furman.