Senior Tennessee tight end Ethan Davis looked fantastic to start the year in helping the Vols go 2-0, but we've unfortunately seen the last of him in 2025. Head man Josh Heupel delivered the rough news ahead of taking on Kennesaw State this weekend that the veteran TE suffered a torn ACL against Georgia Tech. Just like that, his campaign is over.
Davis got things started with a bang in the win over the Yellow Jackets, catching a 25-yard touchdown from Faizon Brandon to open up the scoring. Davis had touchdowns in consecutive weeks and was developing a strong bond with the Vols' new starting quarterback. Now, Brandon will have to look to build chemistry with other tight ends moving forward.
Josh Heupel announces Tennessee starting tight end Ethan Davis will be out for the season after suffering an ACL injury against Georgia Tech pic.twitter.com/rBC7WgIFc1
— SEC Mike (@MichaelWBratton) September 14, 2026
Ethan Davis becomes the fifth Tennessee player to suffer a season-ending injury
"Ethan Davis (with) an ACL injury will be gone for the remainder of the year," Heupel said via reporter Adam Sparks. "I hate it for Ethan because of the work that he put in and his growth as a person and the player, and now his season is cut short. But the next guy has got to be prepared and take advantage of the opportunity."
In the wins over Furman and Georgia Tech, Davis posted three receptions for 43 yards. It was clear that Brandon enjoyed throwing in his direction when Tennessee was driving down the field and looking to put six points on the board. Someone else will need to deliver there, with receivers Mike Matthews and Braylon Staley being obvious candidates.
It's not just the aerial attack where this hurts for Tennessee. Davis is known as being a fantastic blocker, which of course makes a big-time impact for the rushing attack. Against Georgia Tech, the ground game was on fire, with DeSean Bishop rushing for a career-high 147 yards. Davis' blocking made a difference there.
DaSaahn Brame could be next in line to start at tight end for Heupel, but he's a sophomore who doesn't have a ton of in-game experience. He's going to have to play beyond his years, though, as Tennessee no longer has Davis available to be a difference-maker in multiple different ways.
Davis also isn't the first Tennessee player to go down with a season-ending injury. He unfortunately joins linebacker Jaedon Harmon, cornerback Jadais Richard, receiver/return man Joakim Dodson and safety Edrees Farooq. Plenty of injury adversity has come in for the Vols, but Heupel keeps preaching his next-man up mentality. That's of course the right mindset to have, but losing Davis like this stings, especially with how well he has played to start the campaign off.
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