It's a move that Tennessee fans were begging for six months ago, and out of nowhere, maybe it's back on the table? Defensive lineman Jaxson Moi made it more than clear earlier this offseason that he wanted to return to Knoxville for a fifth season, but luck wasn't on his side. He then went undrafted, signing with the Rams as a UDFA - he's currently in camp with the NFC powerhouse.
However, as tiny as it may be, it seems like a door is potentially opening for Moi to return to Knoxville if things don't work out for him with the Rams. That's because double-digit former college players have been given a TRO to play next season, including former Bucs' pass-rusher Jack Pyburn. We'll be the first to admit this whole fifth-year debacle is getting crazy, but if Pyburn and others are looking to return to the college game, why wouldn't Moi also consider this if the Rams cut him, which is looking likely?
NEW: Buccaneers EDGE Jack Pyburn and 15 others have been granted a TRO for a fifth year of College Football, @PeteNakos reports.
— On3 (@On3) August 19, 2026
Pyburn posted 2 sacks in Tampa Bay's last preseason game. https://t.co/ig9JbrwsGC pic.twitter.com/ByK5y4W3rq
A potential Jaxson Moi return to Tennessee would be exciting, but there are still plenty of unknowns
Before we put Moi into any projected starting lineups for the Vols, let's also take a deep breath and remember that there are still some things that need to happen for this to become a serious topic of conversation. For one, does Moi want to return to Tennessee? He did around six months ago, but perhaps he'd look to join a practice squad somewhere else if he indeed doesn't make the cut with LA.
On top of that, it's unclear at this moment if Tennessee has a roster spot available for him, especially following the addition of Tennessee Tech safety Monty Hunt. That move came shortly after it was announced that standout safety Edrees Farooq is out for the season due to a torn patellar tendon in his right knee.
Hunt was also given an extra season of eligibility, which only makes things more intriguing here. You've got to figure that if Moi does communicate to the staff that he wants to play one final season with the Vols, that Josh Heupel will figure out a way to make it happen. Should things progress to the level countless people have been thinking about, it would be a monster addition for new defensive coordinator Jim Knowles.
NEWS: A judge in Louisiana has granted a group that includes 16 football player --including several in NFL training camps this summer -- a restraining order to allows them to return to college sports this season, per me and @DanMurphyESPN. pic.twitter.com/fUMzBolvbp
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) August 19, 2026
Moi is a beast in the trenches, checking in at 6-2, 305 pounds. At the defensive tackle spot, he does a great job of plugging up holes, and his experience alone would be a great addition for a pretty young unit. With Chaz Coleman, the 5-star Penn State transfer, no longer with the team too, Moi would help provide a spark up front.
Once again, though, this is all very much a fluid situation, and no one knows for sure if this will have any legs moving forward because of the unknowns. Still, Tennessee fans have been talking about this for quite some time, and if former NFL players are now working to make this happen, Moi could have the chance to follow suit as well if he wants to. Vols supporters would be all for it if he does return to Rocky Top, but we're all going to have to wait and see if Moi pursues this or not.
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