Tennessee Tight Ends Build Toward Kentucky Game
Tennessee tight ends coach Alec Abeln discussed the room's development and recruiting appeal ahead of Saturday's matchup with No. 8 Kentucky.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Football
Tennessee tight ends coach Alec Abeln discussed the tight end room's progress and its role as a recruiting selling point, including two-tight-end sets. Abeln also previewed Kentucky's defense ahead of Saturday's game against Tennessee.
Why it matters
Tight end play has grown in importance for Tennessee's offense, both in the passing game and in pass protection. The room's development heading into a ranked matchup gives Knoxville fans a clearer view of how the Volunteers plan to use their tight ends.
The figures come from coach Alec Abeln's public comments and current AP-style rankings, with Tennessee at No. 16 and Kentucky at No. 8. Individual tight end usage and production numbers were not provided in the source material.
The players
Alec Abeln
Abeln is Tennessee's tight ends coach, responsible for developing the position group and presenting its recruiting pitch.
Miles Kitselman
Kitselman is a former Tennessee tight end whose career was referenced in the coaching discussion.
The details
Abeln said the tight end room has made progress in pass protection over recent weeks and that two-tight-end sets are part of Tennessee's pitch to recruits. The staff ran a special teams period focused on tight end fundamentals and a goal-line tackle drill during spring practice and training camp. Former Tennessee tight end Miles Kitselman was also referenced in the discussion.
Timeline
Tuesday, November 3, 2026: Abeln discussed the tight end room's development and recruiting appeal.
Saturday: Tennessee plays Kentucky.
Big Picture
Tennessee's use of two-tight-end sets follows a broader shift in college and NFL offenses toward tight-end-heavy personnel groupings. Positioning tight ends as both receivers and blockers mirrors how professional offenses have increasingly valued versatility at the position.
Tight end depth affects how Tennessee lines up on offense, which matters for fans tracking the rotation heading into Saturday. Two-tight-end sets can change which players see snaps and how the Volunteers attack defenses.
The takeaway
Watching how Tennessee deploys its tight ends against Kentucky offers a clear signal of how the Volunteers plan to use two-tight-end sets. Fans can track snap distribution and pass-protection results to judge the room's progress.
What happens next
Tennessee plays Kentucky on Saturday.
Further reading
For more on the Vols, explore Knoxville Football coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Sports Illustrated.
