​Fall camp is nearly here, and Tennessee has given us a clear preview of what to expect. The Volunteers released their official 2026 roster last Friday, and it’s loaded with updates to both weight and jersey numbers. A number of key players will wear different numbers this season, and several important contributors have added significant bulk under new strength coach Derek Owings. Here are the notable jersey-number changes and weight gains that stand out as camp approaches.
Among the most visible shifts are the updated jersey numbers. RB Justin Baker now wears No. 2, DT Xavier Gilliam has switched to No. 2 as well, WR Radarious Jackson will don No. 3, CB Tre Poteat is No. 3, WR Tristen Keys is No. 5, RB Javin Gordon is No. 6, WR Joakim Dodson is No. 9, and QB George MacIntyre is No. 12. On the defensive line, DL Nathan Robinson has switched to No. 19. Other changes include freshmen and transfers: QB Faizon Brandon is No. 11, WR Tyreek King is No. 19, S Joel Wyatt is No. 31, S TJ Metcalf is No. 1, Nickel Qua Moss is No. 6, CB Kayin Lee is No. 14, and EDGE Christian Gass has moved up to 245 pounds in weight.
Perhaps the most talked-about adjustment is Christian Gass’s weight gain. He has added approximately 30 pounds, a development Tennessee clearly prioritized as the program seeks more depth on the edge after last season’s rotation and the Chaz Coleman situation highlighted the need for more pass-rush options.
George MacIntyre’s weight has also been a focal point. The quarterback has added about 15 pounds, reaching roughly 208 pounds. This growth answers a long-running question about whether MacIntyre could bulk up to handle the rigors of the college game. The staff made this a priority, recognizing a thinner depth chart at quarterback and the value of a more durable, versatile signal-caller.
TE DaShaan Brame is up to about 240 pounds, a ten-pound rise that supports an expanded role. Brame emerged as a breakout candidate late last season, and the added bulk should help him handle more responsibilities as both a traditional tight end and a move-tight end in the slot.
RB DeSean Bishop has gained weight as well, moving to around 215 pounds after spending portions of last season around 200 due to injuries. That extra mass should help him handle a larger workload this season and contribute as a dynamic back in more role-based packages.
Owings himself has been emphatic about the program’s approach to weight room work. He’s quoted as saying, “If it does not make you better at your position, I don’t waste your time. 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. If it does not make you a better quarterback, we’re not going to do it.” The message is clear: every lift, every pound gained, and every weight-room session is designed to translate into on-field improvements.
With fall camp fast approaching, Tennessee fans will soon get their first look at this broader, heavier, deeper roster in action. The updates to weight and numbers, along with Owings’s philosophy and the added depth at several positions, suggest a team that is leaner, stronger, and more prepared for a demanding season. The week is almost here when players will take the field for the first time in their new bodies and new numbers, and the output from these changes will begin to materialize in practice and, ultimately, in games.