Tennessee Volunteers: 2026 Season Preview
Tony Vitello has built Tennessee into a legitimate power. The Vols bring back a potent lineup and one of the SEC's best arms in Drew Beam. After a 45-win season and Regional final, the gap between Tennessee and the SEC's elite has closed.
The Program
2025 Season Results
Season Highlights
45 wins — third consecutive 40-win season under Vitello
Christian Moore: .341, 21 HR — Golden Spikes finalist
Drew Beam: 9-3, 2.89 ERA with 121 strikeouts
Blake Burke hit .308 with 17 home runs from the first base spot
Set a school record for home runs (94) in a single season
2026 Roster Breakdown
Key returnees and transfer portal additions
Key Returnees
Christian Moore
2B · Jr.Golden Spikes finalist. The best pure hitter in the SEC not named White or Grahovac. Plus power from the second base spot — a rare combination.
Drew Beam
RHP · Jr.The ace. Mid-90s fastball with a wipeout curve. Competes at an elite level on Fridays and has the stuff to be a first-round pick.
Blake Burke
1B · Jr.Left-handed power bat at first base. Drives the ball to all fields and has improved his plate discipline each year.
Dylan Dreiling
OF · Jr.Five-tool outfielder who impacts the game in every phase. Speed, defense, and a bat that has developed real pop.
AJ Russell
RHP · So.Power arm with mid-90s heat. Electric stuff from the bullpen — could push for a weekend rotation spot as a sophomore.
Kavares Tears
OF · Sr.Veteran center fielder with elite speed and range. Defensive impact and baserunning instinct change games.
Transfer Portal Additions
Jacob Wilson
SS · Jr.First-round draft talent from outside the Power Five. Dynamic offensive player who adds another elite bat to the lineup.
Owen Murphy
RHP · Jr.Power arm with plus stuff. Immediately slots into the weekend rotation behind Beam.
Connor Walsh
LHP · R-Sr.Experienced left-handed reliever with ACC postseason experience. Gives Vitello a second closer option.
Zach Neto
INF · R-Sr.Contact-oriented infielder who can play multiple positions. Adds veteran depth to the infield mix.
Pitching Staff Analysis
The Headline
Drew Beam (9-3, 2.89 ERA, 121 K) is one of the best right-handers in the SEC. His mid-90s fastball and wipeout curve make him a first-round caliber Friday starter. When Beam pitches, Tennessee can beat anyone in the country.
The Rotation
Owen Murphy (from Georgia Tech, 3.18 ERA) gives Vitello a legitimate Saturday arm with power stuff. AJ Russell (3.42 ERA) has the velocity to close or start — his role depends on the Sunday competition. The rotation has the kind of swing-and-miss ability that plays in postseason baseball.
The Depth
Connor Walsh (from Virginia, 2.95 ERA, 6 SV) solves the bullpen. The Vols needed a left-handed closer option, and Walsh provides exactly that. The returning arms bring SEC experience. Vitello does not overuse his bullpen — he trusts his starters to pitch deep. That discipline pays off in May.
Lineup Analysis
The Engine
Christian Moore (.341, 21 HR) is a force of nature from the second base spot. Golden Spikes finalist. He can carry the lineup for weeks at a time and has the kind of bat speed that makes average pitches into home runs. He sets the tone for everything Tennessee does offensively.
The Middle
Blake Burke (.308, 17 HR) gives Tennessee left-handed power in the middle of the order. Jacob Wilson (from Grand Canyon, .352, 14 HR) is a first-round talent who raises the ceiling of the entire lineup. Together with Moore, Tennessee has a 3-4-5 that can match anyone in the SEC.
The Supporting Cast
Dylan Dreiling (.275, 10 HR, 22 SB) does everything. Speed, power, defense. Kavares Tears (.268, 18 SB) brings elite speed and defensive range in center. Zach Neto (from Campbell) adds contact depth. The lineup has no easy outs and multiple ways to manufacture runs.
2026 Schedule Highlights
Scouting Verdict
20–80 scouting scale
BSI Projection
Tennessee has the lineup to compete with anyone in the SEC. Moore, Burke, and Wilson give Vitello a 3-4-5 that rivals the best in the country. The question is depth behind Beam on the mound — if Murphy and Russell deliver, the Vols have an Omaha ceiling. If not, they are still a Regional host with postseason upside. The talent is there. This is the year Tennessee proves it can finish.