GoVols247 moves you closer to the start of Tennessee's 2026 football season with a mailbag podcast answering subscriber questions about the Vols. Patrick Brown and Ryan Callahan took questions from The CheckerBoard on the site covering a variety of topics, from expectations for the defense and how Tennessee could look on that side of the football under Jim Knowles to Faizon Brandon's running ability, "stock up" players and whether Braylon Staley or Mike Matthews will lead the Vols in receiving yards.

They also discussed All-SEC linebacker Arion Carter having his NCAA suspension reduced to one game (meaning he'll be back against Georgia Tech) and the SEC taking a decisive stand against LSU's attempt to add players from NFL rosters.

(3:12) -- Arion Carter NCAA suspension reduced

(9:54) -- SEC bans NFL players returning to college

(20:13) -- Jadon Perlotte's role this season

(24:01) -- Jim Knowles exotic blitzes and 3-3-5 looks

(28:06) -- Why the defense is ahead of young QBs

(32:18) -- Pick a player who exceeds expectations

(34:17) -- Will the Vols be solid on the O-line?

(37:55) -- "Stock Up" players

(42:10) -- Ethan Davis latest and Cole Harrison's outlook at TE

(45:46) -- Will the Vols have a top-20 defense?

(49:27) -- What is a "mock game week" anyway?

(51:27) -- Football jersey patch discussion

(53:50) -- Faizon Brandon as a runner

(56:23) -- Will Mike Matthews or Braylon Staley lead Vols in receiving?

The GoVols247 crew reacts to Faizon Brandon being named Tennessee's starting quarterback on the latest GoVols247 Podcast. Patrick Brown, Ryan Callahan and Ben McKee discuss how Brandon won the job, why Heupel went ahead and pulled the trigger, fair expectations for Brandon as a freshman and much more.

They also discussed the storylines from Tennessee's second and final preseason scrimmage that took place over the weekend.

(2:15) -- Faizon Brandon is named Tennessee's starting QB

(9:50) -- Why Brandon was named the starter

(24:02) -- Why Josh Heupel went ahead and named Brandon the starter

(34:15) -- What are reasonable expectations for Tennessee with Brandon leading the way

(48:33) -- The fallout from Tennessee's final preseason scrimmage

Tennessee will hold its second and final preseason scrimmage this weekend. GoVols247's Ben McKee, Ryan Callahan and Patrick Brown discussed what the Vols need to accomplish inside Neyland Stadium on the latest GoVols247 Podcast.

It's also been a very busy week on the uniform front for the Vols. The GoVols247 crew shared their thoughts on Tennessee and Alabama agreeing to wear its home uniforms each of the next two seasons, as well as the latest Smokey Grey uniforms that UT unveiled on Thursday morning.

(2:39) -- Tennessee and Alabama are both going to wear its home uniforms the next two seasons.

(15:44) -- NEW Smokey Grey uniforms!

(28:17) -- How soon will Josh Heupel name a starting QB?

(38:30) -- What do we want to hear about Tennessee coming out of the second scrimmage?

(46:15) -- Which Vols need to have a good scrimmage?