Tennessee coach Josh Heupel was linked to several high-profile quarterbacks during the January transfer portal window, and ultimately, the Volunteers signed Ryan Staub to that position group.
The Vols’ plans were thrown into chaos after last season’s QB1, Joey Aguilar, had his preliminary injunction to play for an extra season denied last month.
What Tennessee Coach Josh Heupel Said About Faizon Brandon’s Progress
The battle to be Tennessee’s starting quarterback next season is raging in Rocky Top, and it involves transfer quarterback Ryan Staub from the Colorado Buffaloes, redshirt freshman George MacIntyre, and five-star prospect Faizon Brandon.
While speaking to reporters after spring practice on Wednesday, Heupel revealed areas for improvement for Brandon while addressing the Vols’ quarterback group’s performance so far.
“A couple of mechanical things, just how you’re calling it in the huddle and operations-wise, that as you get more experience, become ingrained in you over time. But I thought he (Brandon) did a good job,” Heupel said. “I think day one, day two of spring ball from where he [MacIntyre] was at the end of the season, you can see the steps that he’s taken.
“So I’m really pleased with that. Faizon has done the same thing in learning the offense. Ryan [Staub], all those guys continue to progress. There’s some fundamental things that they have to grow in, but I’m pleased with that entire group and how they operated.”
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Among a heavily crowded field, the Volunteers won the race for the commitment of the highly rated Brandon, who was the No. 1 quarterback and No. 1 overall prospect in the class of 2026.
MacIntyre, who is a redshirt freshman, was Aguilar’s backup last season, tallying 69 yards in limited game time, but he has the advantage of playing in Heupel’s offensive system for a year.
In three years spent at Colorado, mostly as a backup to Shedeur Sanders, Staub tallied 681 yards on 53.5% completion, resulting in 4 touchdowns and 4 interceptions, while adding 8 rushing yards and 1 score in 12 games played.
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Heupel has presided over three consecutive QB1 battles in three years after Aguilar succeeded Nico Iamaleava, who left the program under a cloud and transferred to the UCLA Bruins via the transfer portal last year.
Whoever wins the intense battle to be the Vols’ 2026 QB1 will have a huge production deficit to fill after Aguilar registered 3,565 passing yards, resulting in 24 touchdowns and 10 interceptions, while adding 101 rushing yards and 4 touchdowns to earn a PFSN College QB Impact score of 85.0.
