KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – For the fourth time in five seasons, Tennessee’s offensive line has been recognized as a Joe Moore Award semifinalist, the Foundation for Teamwork announced Wednesday afternoon.
The Volunteers are one of 10 semifinalists for the trophy awarded annually to college football’s most outstanding offensive line unit. Presented since its inception in 2015, the Joe Moore Award has recognized elite offensive line units for their unparalleled toughness, effort, teamwork, consistency, technique and ability to finish.
Tennessee’s offensive line has set the tone for a rushing attack that once again leads the SEC and is ranked 11th nationally at 216.0 yards per game. The Vols maintain their physicality and get stronger as the game goes on, paving the way for Heisman Trophy candidate DeSean Bishop. Tennessee has put up 610 rushing yards and 10 rushing touchdowns in the fourth quarter combined this season. Both lead the SEC by a wide margin.
Glen Elarbee‘s unit has featured the starting combination of David Sanders Jr. (left tackle), Nic Moore (left guard), Sam Pendleton (center), Donovan Haslam (right guard) and Jesse Perry (right tackle) for five consecutive games entering this Saturday’s road tilt at Texas A&M.
“This may be the most physical unit in the country,” said Aaron Taylor, CBS analyst and former All-American who co-founded the award. “The physicality they play with is worth celebrating.”
One of the most memorable drives in Vol history occurred on the Third Saturday in October with the offensive line leading the way. They finished off a 26-10 win against current No. 3 Alabama with a run-heavy, 15-play, 72-yard drive in nine minutes and 32 seconds. It was the longest drive of the Josh Heupel era at the time.
Tennessee was also recognized as a semifinalist for the Joe Moore Award under Elarbee’s watch in 2022, ’23 and ’24.
Three finalists for the Joe Moore Award will be unveiled following the completion of the regular season. The winner is chosen by a voting committee of more than 200—every FBS offensive line coach, former offensive linemen in the media and the colleagues and players of Coach Joe Moore himself.
2026 Joe Moore Award Semifinalists
Boise State
BYU
Duke
Georgia
Houston
Iowa
Kentucky
Notre Dame
Tennessee
Utah
Tennessee Football – 2026 Awards
Head Coach Josh Heupel
Dodd Trophy Midseason Watch List
Bryant National Coach of the Year Watch List
Offensive Line
Joe Moore Award Semifinalist
Sr. RB DeSean Bishop
Heisman Trophy Candidate
Walter Camp Player of the Year Semifinalist
Maxwell Award Semifinalist
Burlsworth Trophy Semifinalist
2026 Midseason First Team All-American (The Athletic, CBS Sports, On3, Sporting News)
Sr. LB Arion Carter
Walter Camp Player of the Year Semifinalist
Butkus Award Semifinalist
William V. Campbell Trophy Finalist
NFF National Scholar-Athlete Class
Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year Award Semifinalist
Jr. DL Xavier Gilliam
Bednarik Award Semifinalist
Lombardi Award Semifinalist
2026 Midseason First-Team All-American (AP, The Athletic, CBS Sports, On3, Sporting News, Sports Illustrated)
