Tennessee’s preseason camp has been full of competition, and several players have made the most of their opportunities to impress coaches and teammates
One of the biggest risers has been quarterback Joey Aguilar, who came in with something to prove and quickly showed command of the offense. His consistency in practices and ability to make quick reads have separated him from the rest of the quarterback room, ultimately earning him the starting job. Aguilar’s performance has given the coaching staff confidence that the offense will continue to run at a high level.
Running back depth has also been a storyline, but freshman standout Peyton Lewis has turned heads with his explosiveness and patience. Coaches praise his ability to hit the second level of the defense, and his preseason growth suggests he could carve out a role early despite a crowded backfield.
On the defensive side, linebacker Jeremiah Telander has been one of the most noticeable risers. His instincts and physicality have put him in position to challenge for significant playing time. With the Vols looking to shore up their run defense, Telander’s emergence couldn’t have come at a better time.
Defensive back Christian Conyer has also been praised for his steady improvement. His ability to match up with receivers in man coverage has been a bright spot, and he’s beginning to look like a reliable option in the secondary rotation.
With these players stepping up, Tennessee enters the season with more confidence in its depth and talent. If preseason growth translates to the field, the Vols could surprise opponents with a roster full of breakout contributors.
