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Tennessee football TE Ethan Davis confirms 2027 return. Here's where he fits
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- Tennessee football TE Ethan Davis confirms 2027 return. Here's where he fits
Tennessee tight end Ethan Davis confirmed that he will return to the Vols in the 2027 season after he recovers from a season-ending ACL injury.
On Sept. 21, Davis posted a graphic from his X account with a simple message: "I'm coming back."
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Davis suffered a torn ACL in the Vols ' 45-24 win over Georgia Tech on Sept. 12. He has played four seasons at Tennessee, including a redshirt year in 2023. Under the NCAA's new 5-for-5 structure, he can return in 2027 by utilizing his fifth year of eligibility.
"Still food on the table! Last ride vol nation I'll bleed orange and white 25/8, let's make it count!" Davis also posted on X on Sept. 21.
It's not a big surprise. Davis hinted in a social media post on Sept. 18 that he would return for one more season. But this latest post leaves no doubt.
Unfortuately for the Vols, Davis is out for the remainder of the 2026 season. He was the fifth UT player to suffer a season-ending injury, joining starting safety Edrees Farooq (knee), backup receiver Joakim Dodson (leg), reserve linebacker Jaedon Harmon (knee) and Miami transfer cornerback Jadais Richard (upper-body).
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No. 13 Tennessee (3-0) plays No. 1 Texas (3-0) on Sept. 26 (noon ET, ABC) at Neyland Stadium in the SEC opener.
Where Ethan Davis fits among Tennessee tight ends in 2027
Tennessee can now include Davis in its 2027 roster plan, which could be a big plus. He has been a productive playmaker when he's been in the lineup, but he's been plagued by injuries throughout his career.
Davis has made 39 receptions for 433 yards and six TDs in 26 games, including six starts.
Presumably, Davis will be sidelined during spring practice in 2027 as he rehabs his knee injury. His value to next season's team could depend on how his tight end replacements perform this season.
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South Alabama transfer Trent Thomas is a senior, but he could return in 2027 under the 5-for-5 rule. Sophomore DaSaahn Brame is trying to step into Davis' role as an athletic pass-catching tight end, but he has only one catch for 7 yards this season.
Freshman Luca Wolf is from Vienna, Austria, and UT discovered him at the NFL UK Academy near London. He is an intriguing athlete and developmental tight end, but he'll get increased playing time in Davis' absence. Junior Cole Harrison and UT Martin transfer Drake Martinez round out the depth chart at tight end.
Martinez is the only tight end on the current roster who will exhaust his eligibility this season. Of course, the transfer portal opens other possibilities for UT to add or lose tight ends.
Oak Ridge standout Malik Howard is committed to sign with Tennessee in December. He is ranked the No. 9 tight end in the 2027 class, according to the 247Sports Composite.
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Adam Sparks is the Tennessee football beat reporter. Email adam.sparks@knoxnews.com . X, formerly known as Twitter @AdamSparks . Support strong local journalism by subscribing at knoxnews.com/subscribe .
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This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Tennessee football TE Ethan Davis confirms 2027 return. Here's where he fits
