Volquest answers your Tennessee football, basketball & recruiting questions in the Aug. 15 mailbag

Volquest answers your Tennessee football, basketball & recruiting questions in the Aug. 15 mailbag

00:34 BigVol18: Right now, the 2026 QB battle will consist of Merklinger, Macintyre, and Brandon. When was the last time Tennessee had a battle like that at QB?

2:06 Slappyvol: Each of you talk about the game you are more worried about than other Vol fans...Maybe a trap game? Each of you talk about the game you are more confident in winning than other Vol fans are?

8:19 YoungVol Never Banned Again: Predict the starting 5-man defensive backfield assuming all players are healthy for the Alabama game. What do you guys really think about the unit for the season? Also, is Harmon a realistic flip candidate?

12:12 DavyVol: 2 years ago in the middle of August if I had told you that the team would be number 1 in the country and playing in a New Year's Six bowl on a scale of 1-10 how surprised would you have been? 10 being stunned.

13:34 Athrun: Does this team have a short yardage big back set this year or do you think that would kill drive momentum?

14:51 Who are the biggest names to know in the 2026 class this early in the process?

15:48 More surprising impact transfer by seasons end?

17:05 Wclick23: Who is y’all’s most overrated and underrated team going into football season? Also, who do yall believe will be the first sec coach fired this season?

20:33 SamSmith2233: How many people will have access to speak into helmets this year? I need odds on the first coach to throw and break his iPad this year.

21:53 Bud_Fox: Sell me on why we should be confident if Desean Bishop gets thrust into an unforeseen amount of action.

23:28 Jbcollins: Is Keith a contributor this season?

23:41 V B: We have a very limited sample size of Nico but our expectations are sky high for him. Are we getting ahead of ourselves?

26:49 ATLVFL: Do you think Leacock's recent emergence has put him in front of Webb for potential playing time?

26:58 Do you think the defensive headsets will allow defenses to counter our hurry up offense to some extent?

28:21 How did the young RBs look in pass protection in the scrimmage?

28:59 UTchuck54: When are they going to put Will Brooks on scholarship?

29:39 ProductRecall14: How far back do you have to go to find a Tennessee team as physically and athletically impressive as this one?

30:12 Volfan23: Thoughts on NC States offense vs TN’s defense?

31:09 WrongHanded: What is the percentage chance of getting both teams in their home jerseys (orange vs crimson) for the 3rd Saturday in October?

32:18 MichalobOkra: Statistically speaking, is having similar numbers to 2022 RB2 a realistic expectation for Seldon?

33:23 VolumeShooter: What are the strengths and weaknesses of Will Brooks according to what y’all have seen in practice? What would the strengths and weaknesses be of the next best option?

34:24 Orangefaced: On a scale from 1-10 is mics-to-headsets a net positive or net negative for Tennessee?

35:13 Jed_89: How do recruits and their families learn to navigate the recruiting waters?

36:11 NashVol615: Do you think Bru, Squirrel, and Chris Brazzell will go over 2000 yards receiving combined?

36:46 Can James Pearce, Josh Josephs, and Caleb Herring have over 20 sacks combined?

37:09 Mallou: Which player on each side of the ball, and special teams, not named Nico or Pearce do you see creating the most buzz going into the first game?

38:16 MarketSquareStreaker: Rick Barnes talked about a drill that only Chaz Lanier was able to complete on the first try. Can you explain what that drill was?

39:48 Will this yrs team have more scoring options, than last yrs, so that the team doesn't need Chaz to score 20+ a night like DK did?

41:05 ThatVolGuy: Can y'all talk a bit about Danny White & what makes him different?

43:07 MtVols: Who is our field goal kicker this year?

43:11 NeylandGreene: How big of a deal is the Oklahoma game for CJH? Will the Oklahoma fans give him a nice ovation? Does coach want this game more than any other?

45:59 RiceTrout: Which coaching stigmas does this staff overcome this year (if any)
1) rarely rotating WRs 2) waiting too long to play backups in blowouts 3) refusing to play young secondary players 4) frequently penalized 5) frequently faking injuries 6) swiss cheese 3rd down defense

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