The 2026 college football season kicks off for No. 18 Tennessee this Saturday as they welcome Furman University to Neyland Stadium. The highly anticipated matchup is set to begin at 3:30 p.m. EDT and will be broadcast on SEC Network+.
Furman, coming into the game with a record of 1-0, features two players from Bearden High School in Knoxville, Tennessee: punter William Pendergrass and long snapper Seth Henry. This connection adds a local flavor to the contest, as both athletes return to their home region to compete.
Pendergrass, who redshirted last season, graduated from Bearden in 2025 under the guidance of head coach Josh Jones. During his time at Bearden, he excelled as both a punter and placekicker, earning Second-Team All-Region 2-5A honors and being recognized on the league's all-academic team during his senior year in 2024.
On the other hand, Seth Henry is a true freshman at Furman, where he plays as a long snapper. Henry, who also played defensive end at Bearden, was coached by Brad Taylor, a former Bearden quarterback who has returned to lead the Bulldogs after a previous stint from 2007 to 2013. Taylor's return followed the dismissal of Jones due to issues surrounding improper payments made to his coaching staff by members of the booster club.
During his first tenure at Bearden, Taylor made a significant impact, coaching notable players such as former Tennessee running back Devrin Young. After leaving Bearden, he served as the offensive coordinator at South-Doyle High School under Clark Duncan, a former Vols player.
In a recent conversation with Vols Wire, Taylor praised Henry's dedication and work ethic during his senior season at Bearden. "Seth is just a hard worker and he’s a great kid," Taylor remarked. "He’s a great long snapper and he worked at it. He didn’t just do what was required. Seth and his boys, the other specialists, did a lot of work on their own. They worked before practice and after practice. They worked in the winter and they worked in the spring. Seth is always positive. He always has a smile on his face. He’s just a great kid to be around. After his senior year, he worked hard to get ready to go down to Furman."
As the season unfolds, the matchup against Tennessee represents a significant opportunity for both Pendergrass and Henry to showcase their skills on a larger stage. Taylor's insights into Henry's character and work ethic highlight the foundation that has prepared him for this moment in his collegiate career.
With the excitement building for the opening game, the narrative of former Bearden players returning to their roots adds an intriguing subplot to the Tennessee vs. Furman clash. Fans will be eager to see how these young athletes perform as they take the field in front of a home crowd.
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