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There’s a strong feeling that the Tennessee Volunteers’ secondary will be much improved in 2026.
Vols head coach Josh Heupel thinks Tennessee’s secondary this fall could be the best one he’s had during his time in Knoxville.
"I think [with the] overall athletic traits, this has a chance to be one of, if not the best, secondaries that we've had,” said Heupel this week.
"I like the skill set of the athletic traits that we have back there, a lot of new players. I feel really good and confident about who we have on the back end. Guys that have played football, have football understanding, man skill sets. But [also] understand zone principles, have had to go make tackles, and played the game at a high level.”
One of the big reasons why Tennessee’s secondary is expected to be much-improved in 2026 is because of the addition of Auburn transfer cornerback Kayin Lee.
Lee, who spent the first three seasons of his career at Auburn, will be a senior this fall. He’s projected to start at cornerback opposite sophomore Ty Redmond.
The Georgia native is strong in coverage, he has good ball skills, and he’s a solid tackler.
Earlier this week at SEC Media Days in Tampa, Auburn defensive back Champ Anthony was asked about Lee and what he’ll bring to Tennessee’s defense.
And Anthony was effusive in his praise of Lee.
“He’s a hooper,” said Anthony. “He’s a baller. Kayin has a knack for the ball. I don’t know if people realize how hard it is to jump while running backwards. Kayin, he high points the ball. He has a knack for the ball, and he works hard. That’s all he does is love ball. So you’re getting a hard worker who loves ball.
“He’s a smacker too, man. He hits hard. Most corners don’t be wanting to come down and put their nose in it. Kayin, you’ve got to keep him out of it. Like, ‘Kay, hey, chill.’ So you’re getting a hard worker and a hard hitter.”
Tennessee had a big need at cornerback this offseason after losing Colton Hood to the 2026 NFL Draft and Rickey Gibson to Texas A&M (via the portal).
And the Vols didn’t just fill that need by landing Lee — it sounds like they instantly upgraded the secondary by adding the Auburn transfer.
This article was originally published on A to Z Sports. Read the full story here: ‘He hits hard' – Vols transfer addition from Auburn receives big endorsement from former teammate that Tennessee fans will love
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