Tri-Star Top 10: Tennessee’s Best College Football Players Through Week 2
The 2026 college football season is still young, but several players across the Volunteer State have already separated themselves from the pack.
This ranking considers players from each of the state’s Division I programs and weighs total production, efficiency, versatility, individual performances and level of competition. Because Austin Peay and several other programs played during Week 0, some players have appeared in three games while others have played only twice.
These are the Tri-Star Network’s Top 10 college football players in Tennessee through Week 2.
1. Jaylin Carter — RB, Memphis
43 carries | 375 rushing yards | 8.7 yards per carry | 6 touchdowns
There was no debate over the top spot.
Carter has been nearly unstoppable through Memphis’ first three games, averaging 125 rushing yards and two touchdowns per contest. His worst game came in Week 2 against Boise State, where he still managed to rush for 95 yards on only nine carries—an average of more than 10 yards per attempt.
With 375 yards and six touchdowns on just 43 carries, Carter has combined elite volume with remarkable efficiency. No player in the state has built a stronger early-season résumé.
For now, he is the clear No. 1.
2. Denver Harper — WR/PR, Austin Peay
7 receptions | 256 receiving yards | 4 receiving touchdowns | 1 punt-return touchdown
Harper's limited volume had me debating his No. 2 spot, but his production has been far too extraordinary to keep him away from the top of this list.
The Austin Peay playmaker has recorded just seven receptions across three games. However, those seven receptions have gone for 256 yards and four touchdowns, averaging an absolutely absurd 36.6 yards per catch. He has scored once for every 1.75 receptions while establishing himself as one of the most explosive players not just in Tennessee, but across the country.
Harper's best performance came against Morehead State, reeling in three receptions for 124 yards and two touchdowns. Oh, and just because he can, Harper took a punt return 67 yards to the house for a total of three touchdowns on the day.
With 345 all-purpose yards and five touchdowns through three games, Harper has done more than enough to earn the No. 2 spot.
3. Mason Mims — QB, ETSU
69-of-93 passing | 793 yards | 5 touchdowns | 2 interceptions
Mims’ completion percentage separates him from the other quarterbacks on this list.
The ETSU freshman signal-caller has completed 74.2 percent of his passes while averaging 264.3 yards per game. His aerial production held up despite facing Bill Belichick and the North Carolina Tar Heels.
The Buccaneers managed only a field goal during their 35–3 loss in Chapel Hill; however, Mims still completed 23 of his 31 attempts. That 74.2 percent completion rate perfectly matched his season average.
Playing that well against an ACC team on the road in just his third collegiate game has me very excited for Mims and the future of ETSU football.
4. Chris Parson — QB, Austin Peay
38-of-57 passing | 684 yards | 5 touchdowns | 1 interception
Parson has added 29 net rushing yards and another touchdown, but sack-adjusted statistics do not fully capture the mobility he brings to Austin Peay’s offense.
His passing efficiency makes his case impossible to ignore.
The 2026 UAC Preseason Offensive Player of the Year is averaging 12 yards per attempt and carries a 192.8 passer rating through three games. Parson opened the season with 308 passing yards against Gardner-Webb before throwing three first-half touchdowns during Austin Peay’s 63–7 demolition of Morehead State.
There is a legitimate argument for placing Parson ahead of Mims. For now, Mims receives the slightest advantage because of his larger passing workload and exceptional 74.2 percent completion rate.
5. Xavier Gilliam — DL, Tennessee
8 tackles | 5 tackles for loss | 3 sacks | 1 forced fumble
The first four spots belong to offensive playmakers, but dominant defense deserves recognition too.
Gilliam opened his Tennessee career by terrorizing Furman's backfield, recording five tackles for loss, three sacks, and a forced fumble. One game was enough to establish the Penn State transfer as one of the state’s most disruptive defensive players.
Gilliam didn't reproduce the same numbers against Georgia Tech, but performances like his debut are rare. Following defensive coordinator Jim Knowles from Penn State to Tennessee has so far proven beneficial for both Gilliam and the Volunteers' defense.
Gilliam's impact earns him the highest defensive ranking on the list.
6. Tre Holloway — WR/RET, Tennessee Tech
Holloway’s value extends far beyond his receiving totals.
His production as a receiver is comparable to some of the state's other top pass catchers, but his work on special teams gives him a clear edge. Few players in Tennessee can impact a game in as many different ways as Holloway has through three games.
That versatility was displayed during a four-touchdown performance against Samford in which Holloway recorded six receptions for 124 yards and two touchdowns. Alongside his touchdowns as a pass catcher, he also recorded one as a runner and one on a 76-yard punt return.
It remains one of the most complete individual performances by any player in the state this season. Holloway isn’t merely holding onto a place near the bottom of the ranking—he belongs firmly inside the Top 10.
7. TJ Peyton — RB, ETSU
39 carries | 253 rushing yards | 3 touchdowns
Mims has received most of the attention surrounding ETSU’s offense, but Peyton’s start should not be overlooked.
The Buccaneers’ running back is averaging 6.5 yards per carry through three games. He has provided balance alongside ETSU’s high-volume passing attack while producing against a schedule that already includes North Carolina.
Peyton's best performance came in the Buccaneers' lone victory, when he rushed for 121 yards and two touchdowns on just 11 carries against Tusculum. He may not receive the same workload as some of the state’s other leading rushers, but his efficiency and three-touchdown start make him worthy of the No. 7 position.
8. DeSean Bishop — RB, Tennessee
34 carries | 244 rushing yards | 3 touchdowns
Tennessee’s depth may prevent Bishop from matching the raw volume of Carter or Peyton, but there is no question who leads the Volunteers’ backfield.
Bishop delivered his best performance during Tennessee’s 45–24 road victory over Georgia Tech, rushing for 147 yards and two touchdowns on 20 carries. He consistently wore down the Yellow Jackets before breaking a 29-yard touchdown run on third-and-long to put the game away.
Tennessee has accumulated 628 rushing yards through two games, averaging 314 yards per contest and 6.8 per attempt. Bishop has served as the centerpiece of that attack with 34 carries.
His workload may fluctuate in a deep rotation, but his efficiency and performance against Georgia Tech place him comfortably within the 7–10 range.
9. Faizon Brandon — QB, Tennessee
23-of-38 passing | 374 yards | 5 touchdowns | 0 interceptions
Brandon's passing volume has been limited because Tennessee has spent the majority of its first two games playing with a substantial lead.
What he has done with those opportunities, however, is difficult to ignore.
The freshman has thrown five touchdown passes without an interception and produced a 186.6 passer rating. Tennessee is averaging 50.5 points and 542.5 total yards through his first two collegiate starts.
Brandon's mobility was one of the traits that appeared to separate him during the QB competition through fall camp. He's already showcased this skill set through his first two starts, rushing for 90 yards and two touchdowns on 15 carries.
Brandon also passed his first road test, remaining composed as Tennessee overcame an early deficit and defeated Georgia Tech 45–24 in Atlanta.
More demanding challenges await, but seven total touchdowns without a turnover is an excellent beginning for a freshman quarterback.
10. Kevin Lalin — RB, Chattanooga
60 carries | 290 rushing yards | 2 touchdowns
Lalin earns the final position after emerging as the most dependable part of Chattanooga’s offense.
He is averaging 96.7 rushing yards per game through three contests and has accounted for 290 of UTC’s 458 total rushing yards. That means Lalin alone has produced more than 63 percent of the Mocs’ yardage on the ground.
He has also scored two of Chattanooga’s five offensive touchdowns.
UTC has struggled to find consistency offensively, which arguably makes Lalin’s production more impressive. Opposing defenses know where the football is likely going, yet he continues to approach 100 yards per game.
Through the season’s opening stretch, that is enough to secure the final place in the Tri-Star Top 10.
Honorable Mentions
Marcus Stokes — QB, Memphis (795 yards, 5 touchdowns, 3 interceptions)
Nick Rinaldi — LB, Vanderbilt (13 tackles, 2.5 sacks)
Mike Matthews — WR, Tennessee (6 receptions, 148 yards, 2 touchdowns)
Gabe Nunez — WR, Tennessee Tech (11 receptions, 193 yards, 2 touchdowns)
Roman Gagliano — QB, Middle Tennessee (443 yards, 4 touchdowns, 1 interception)
The season remains young, and these rankings will continue to evolve as conference play brings tougher opponents and greater opportunities. Stay tuned for an updated version in the future!