Tennessee Football Spring Practice Begins

Vols look to build on 2025 season as transfer portal activity heats up

Apr. 1, 2026 at 3:21pm

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The Tennessee Volunteers have kicked off their spring football practice schedule, with head coach Josh Heupel and his staff looking to build on the team's successful 2025 campaign. Meanwhile, the Vols' basketball program is active in the transfer portal as they aim to reload for next season.

Why it matters

Spring practice is a crucial time for college football teams to develop their rosters and install new schemes ahead of the upcoming season. For Tennessee, it's an opportunity to build on their momentum from last year and identify potential impact players, especially with several key contributors from 2025 having moved on.

The details

The Vols opened spring practice this week, with Heupel and his staff putting the team through the paces as they look to replace departed stars like quarterback Hendon Hooker and wide receiver Jalin Hyatt. On the basketball side, head coach Rick Barnes has been active in the transfer portal as he looks to retool his roster after a disappointing end to the 2025-26 season.

  • Tennessee football kicked off spring practice on March 28, 2026.
  • The Vols' spring game is scheduled for April 22, 2026.

The players

Josh Heupel

The head coach of the Tennessee Volunteers football team, who is entering his fourth season at the helm.

Rick Barnes

The head coach of the Tennessee Volunteers basketball team, who is looking to rebuild his roster through the transfer portal.

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What they’re saying

“We're excited to get back on the field and start working towards next season. This is a critical time for us to identify new leaders and continue developing our system.”

— Josh Heupel, Head Coach, Tennessee Football

“The transfer portal has become a crucial part of the college basketball landscape, and we're working hard to find the right pieces to complement our returning players.”

— Rick Barnes, Head Coach, Tennessee Basketball

What’s next

Tennessee will hold its annual Orange and White spring game on April 22, 2026, giving fans a first look at the team's progress and potential new contributors.

The takeaway

Tennessee's football and basketball programs are both in transition this offseason, with the football team looking to build on its success and the basketball team aiming to reload through the transfer portal. Spring practice and the transfer portal will be key in determining how the Vols fare in the 2026-27 athletic year.