The UC Top 5 returns for the 2026 season with plenty of Region 4-4A representation in the initial rankings. The UC Top 5 is unveiled each week during the regular season during the UCR Football Show Presented by Fire & Vine on Tuesdays.

1. Upperman

The Upperman Bees enter the 2026 season atop the UC top 5 led by Ole Miss commit Colton Johnson. The Bees went 9-3 last season before falling to Class 4A state champion Alcoa, 49-27, in the second round of the playoffs.

2. Stone Memorial

Max Warner takes over at quarterback for Stone Memorial, who returns multiple weapons on the perimeter and features multiple transfers expected to start on the offensive line. The Panthers fell to Anderson County 44-14 in the second round of the Class 4A playoffs to wrap up a 10-2 season.

3. White County

One of the most experienced teams in the Upper Cumberland resides in Sparta as the Warriors return starting quarterback Tucker Pinion and plenty of starters on both sides of the ball. The Warriors went 8-4 a season ago and won at Hixon in the first round of the Class 4A playoffs before falling to Greeneville.

4. Gordonsville

The Gordonsville Tiger enter the initial UC top 5 as the lone non-Region 4-4A team. The Tigers are replacing quarterback J Foster with the combo of Cruze Frye and Ryder Roberts, but return double-digit starters across both sides of the ball. Transfers Ryan Lyons and Cecil Ketchum look to make an immediate impact for the Tigers.

5. Macon County

The Macon County Tigers enter the 2026 season at the #5 spot following a 7-4 campaign in 2025. The Tigers return multiple weapons, including Xavier Bentley and Brennan Flowers.