Three critical storylines is a piece on All For Tennessee that gives fans the biggest overall storylines to pay attention to in Tennessee Vols athletics this week. This week will surely be a news-filled one with football and basketball. Let's hop into the three storylines that fans need to monitor.
Joey Aguilar's court date is set and it will decide everything for Tennessee's 2026 season
1. Tennessee basketball bounce back
After a horrendous loss to Kentucky on Saturday, Tennessee will have a week-long break. This break comes at a much-needed time after the Vols blew a 17-point lead. Rick Barnes called out his team after the game, so you know this week of practice will be brutal.
The Vols have a mighty tough test next Saturday when they return. Tennessee will be traveling down to Tuscaloosa to play Alabama at 8:30 p.m. ET. The Crimson Tide have a great team this year (13-5) and are one of the best offensive teams in the nation. Tennessee has already fallen out of the AP Poll, so it will be crucial to get back on track.
2. More football transfer additions
One thing that’s been really exciting to see is how Tennessee has transformed its roster using the Transfer Portal. Over the weekend, the Vols added eight new players to the roster. While they might not bring in a huge number more, don’t be surprised if a few more pieces come in through the portal as the cycle continues.
Tennessee still needs a few more players. Some depth wideouts or offensive linemen wouldn't hurt. Tennessee needs one more cornerback, too. Nonetheless, Josh Heupel has really worked hard to rebuild the Vols football team.
You can stay up to date with every addition with our Transfer Portal tracker.
3. Early enrollees are here
5-star quarterback Faizon Brandon is officially on campus, joining a wave of Vols from the 2026 class like Tristen Keys, Kedric Gholston, and plenty of other talented newcomers. The energy on campus is electric as these young players get their first taste of life in Knoxville and start learning under Josh Heupel.
Be on the lookout for workout videos from the newest Vols.