The biggest story surrounding the Tennessee Volunteers football team this spring has centered on the quarterback battle to determine who will be the starter in Week 1. Although it has taken months to make a decision, others have recently emerged.
In his annual article highlighting notable performances from the Spring Games, Pete Nakos of On3.com, left tackle Javin Gordon and cornerback Kyon Lee both made the list.
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The 5-foot-10 Gordon spent his freshman season with the Tulane Green Wave and finished 2025 with 516 rushing yards and 5 touchdowns on 128 carries. He then entered the college football transfer portal this offseason, and committed to Tennessee to serve as a complementary member behind DeSean Bishop next season.
With the departures of star Thomas and Peyton Lewis, Josh Heupel and the Volunteers coaching staff are looking for who can fill secondary roles in the backfield behind Bishop. For Gordon and Deuce Morris, this could be a meaningful role as Thomas finished with 100 carries last year and Lewis had 74 touches.
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Lee was another addition to the college football transfer portal for Tennessee. He is quickly emerging as a standout player on the perimeter, who can excel in coverage and is willing to drop his shoulder and deliver big hits.
Lee’s emergence is especially important to Volunteers defensive coordinator William Inge, who needs a quality No. 2 option at cornerback opposite second-year freshman Ty Redmond.
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For now, it has yet to be determined who will be the Volunteers’ starting quarterback this season, and no decision will be made any time after the spring game. What matters for Tennessee right now is that they have two very good cornerbacks and much-needed depth for the 2026 season.
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