Nic Moore Starts at Left Guard for Tennessee

Sophomore Nic Moore has been inserted into the Volunteers' starting lineup after injuries sidelined two starting guards.

Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Football

Nic Moore Starts at Left Guard for Tennessee

Tennessee inserted sophomore Nic Moore as starting left guard for its October 3 victory over Auburn in Neyland Stadium. The move followed injuries to starting guards Wendell Moe Jr. and Sham Umarov in the September 26 loss to Texas.

Why it matters

The injuries forced a lineup change on the offensive line, a unit that must protect the quarterback and open running lanes. Moore, previously a reserve center, is now playing a new position in a rotation shaped by the loss of two starters.

Moore is a 6-foot-3, 312-pound sophomore from Talbott, Tennessee, who was a reserve center last year. Both starting guards went down with injuries in the September 26 loss to Texas, and Moe's injury was season-ending.

The players

Nic Moore

Nic Moore is a sophomore offensive lineman for Tennessee who previously served as a reserve center before moving into the starting lineup.

Wendell Moe Jr.

Wendell Moe Jr. is a Tennessee offensive guard whose season-ending injury in the Texas game opened a starting spot on the line.

Sham Umarov

Sham Umarov is a Tennessee starting offensive guard who was injured in the September 26 loss to Texas.

The details

Moore was moved from the backup center spot to left guard after Moe and Umarov were hurt in the Texas game. He has played left guard since the October 3 Auburn victory, and he discussed his role at a news conference this week.

September 26, 2026: Starting guards Wendell Moe Jr. and Sham Umarov are injured in a loss to Texas.
October 3, 2026: Moore starts at left guard in Tennessee's victory over Auburn at Neyland Stadium.
November 5, 2026: Moore discusses his new role at a news conference.

Season Trajectory

The guard injuries in the Texas loss forced Tennessee to reshuffle its offensive line midseason, after the quarterback change from Faizon Brandon to George MacIntyre had already altered the offense. How the line performs with Moore at left guard will shape the Volunteers' remaining competitive outlook.

Moore's promotion changes the Tennessee depth chart, so fantasy and betting followers tracking Volunteers offensive linemen should update their rosters. Fans attending Neyland Stadium can expect the revised front five on the field for upcoming home games.

The takeaway

Injuries can quickly reshape a unit, and depth players like Moore often determine how well a team holds together through a season. Tracking line changes helps readers understand what drives a team's performance on the field.