Tennessee Back to Adidas Starting 2026
Time is a flat circle.
Tennessee had made the announcement they are saying goodbye to Nike and will be returning to Adidas as their apparel provider starting July 1, 2026. This has been the worst kept secret in Knoxville for some time now, but it’s now official. The Volunteers and Lady Vols previously donned Adidas gear from 1995 to 2014, and Tennessee football was the last program to win a national championship in football wearing Adidas uniforms.
While the specifics of the financial incentives are not made public by either side, there are still ballpark figures that have been mentioned.
What truly elevates this partnership beyond typical apparel accords is its unprecedented integration of NIL offerings. Adidas will initiate NIL ambassador opportunities immediately in the 2025‑26 school year, well ahead of the uniform rollout. Through programs like Adidas’ “NIL Ambassador Network,” Vol athletes across all 20 varsity sports will be able to explore individualized NIL pathways, aiming to set the new standard in the NIL-commerce landscape.
Tennessee’s internal creative leadership remains intact, a decisive victory for fan-first aesthetics. The university’s in‑house design team will retain primary control over uniform design, collaborating closely with Adidas to ensure a look that both honors tradition and excites the future fanbase.
Athletic Director Danny White framed the partnership as a strategic accelerator of Tennessee’s revival which has been backed by sell‑out crowds, robust licensing, and loyal fan energy. Adidas, recognizing those assets, reportedly presented an offer that essentially made Tennessee the flagship school for their collegiate branding.
In the words of Adidas VP Chris McGuire, “Adidas is establishing a new standard for investment in NIL,” one designed to sustain UT’s competitive edge across college sports.
Vols Hold Second Fall Camp Scrimmage
We are racing toward the kickoff of the 2025 season, with Tennessee playing Syracuse in Atlanta exactly two weeks from tomorrow. The biggest question mark going into this season has easily been the quarterback room. It sounds like we are starting to get some answers to that question.
Heuepel has publicly praised all three quarterbacks, but reports are that Joey Aguilar has started to pull away from the pack and will likely start in the opener.
Aguilar’s daily improvement and command of the offense is notable. Heupel praised his increasing comfort and control, especially during intense night walkthroughs: “He handled himself extremely well… he’s extremely comfortable in what we’re doing right now.” Freshman George MacIntyre, though not seeing first-team reps in the scrimmage, continues generating buzz with his accuracy and poise, which helps provide a clearer picture for the future of the quarterback room.
From all the reports, the offense as a whole operated significantly better from scrimmage one on Saturday. The Vols offense hit on several deep shots to Mike Matthews and Amari Jefferson, while reports also state that true freshman tight end DaSaahn Brame continues to shine. “The game has slowed down for him… he’s made some plays… and should be a big part of what we do this fall” said Heupel.
CJH says he was encouraged by how the team performed on both sides of the ball: “We saw strides in how we operated… and special teams got good work too.” But he cautioned that with two weeks left, there’s “growth that we’ve got to go get before we go kick off.”
Boo Carter has returned to live action after a sidelined start to camp, though participation remains day-to-day. “He’s done some things in a good way,” Heupel said. Carter was reported to have been getting reps with the third-team defense as he works to getting his way out of the dog house.
The offensive line continues to gel. It seems that Sam Pendleton and Jesse Perry have separated themselves as the likely two players to fill out the remaining positions on the interior. If Tennessee were to play today, the offensive line would be the following (starting from L to R): Lance Heard, Wendell Moe, Sam Pendleton, Jesse Perry, David Sanders.
The running backs are apparently solid and deeper than in years prior. Duke transfer Star Thomas has emerged strongly, and with freshman Daune Morris rising, Heupel called it “probably as deep as we’ve been,” praising their fundamentals and growth. Bishop, Lewis, and Thomas are all likely to get significant carries.
You won’t here as much today regarding the defense as they were only “thudding” instead of taking players completely to the ground, but it sounds like coaches really like what they have in the secondary, especially with their young guys.
What to Watch: Titans Preseason Game 2 Against Falcons
As the Tennessee Titans gear up for their second preseason game tonight against the Falcons, the spotlight remains fixed on Brian Callahan’s final tweaks before the regular season.
Quarterback Cam Ward, following a solid debut in Tampa Bay should get similar run tonight. The goal: find rhythm and build chemistry before handing the reins back to backups.
Speaking of connections, the bond between Ward and Calvin Ridley is evident. Ridley hauled in three of his passes for 50 yards in the first preseason game, showcasing why that duo could be the most electric link in Tennessee’s passing game. Look closely at how rookie receivers like Elic Ayomanor and Chimere Dike contribute next, as they will be getting plenty of snaps tonight.
Concerns linger about run defense after yielding 178 rushing yards in the opener. That was without key linemen like Jeffery Simmons and T’Vondre Sweat in the lineup. Improvement in tackling and execution is paramount.
The preseason opener also intensified the battle for remaining roster spots. Inside linebacker James Williams Sr. earned looks with the first team while Cedric Gray continues to compete. Same goes for the receiver room, where late-bloomers could earn keeps.
Turnover reduction remains a priority. The Titans coughed it up three times in Tampa Bay, two costly interceptions by backup QBs Brandon Allen and Tim Boyle.
Speaking of Boyle, the franchise released him earlier this week after the rough outing, and brought in veteran Trevor Siemian as a replacement . Siemian, who has prior experience with Tennessee, brings a steadier hand and serviceable depth behind Ward.
Return game reps remain up for grabs, with James Proche II, Jha’Quan Jackson, Chimere Dike, TJ Sheffield, and Matt Landers all getting looks. A clear standout could emerge tonight.