The Tennessee Volunteers entered the 2026 offseason with a lot of roster questions, especially on offense. They made progress on defense, but the quarterback spot still feels unsettled.
Even after trying to land top talent from the transfer portal, the Vols came up empty at quarterback. CBS Sports writer Carter Bahns didn’t hold back in his criticism. Let’s dig into Tennessee’s offseason moves, the quarterback dilemma, and what could be next for the Vols.
Offseason Roster Moves: Strengthening the Defense
At least on defense, Tennessee fans have reason to feel hopeful. The Vols added Chaz Coleman, Amare Campbell, and Qua Moss, among others.
These new faces should give Tennessee a real boost. With spring around the corner, there’s a cautious optimism about how the defense might shape up.
Key Defensive Additions
Here’s a quick rundown of the newcomers on defense:
- Chaz Coleman: Agile and sharp with his tackling.
- Amare Campbell: Adds both speed and strength to the linebacker group.
- Qua Moss: Versatile—he can make plays all over the field.
These guys could make Tennessee a real problem for opposing offenses.
The Quarterback Conundrum
But for all the defensive upgrades, quarterback is still the big question. The Vols chased top transfer portal names like Sam Leavitt from Arizona State and Ty Simpson from Alabama.
Neither ended up picking Tennessee, so the Vols are left without a proven starter.
Failed Pursuits in the Transfer Portal
Tennessee put in the work to land a high-profile quarterback:
- Sam Leavitt: They brought him in for a two-day visit and showed off the program.
- Ty Simpson: Tennessee tried to get him to pass up the NFL draft and join them instead.
But nothing materialized. Instead, Tennessee picked up Ryan Staub from Colorado, who’s only started one game so far.
CBS Sports Criticism
Recently, CBS Sports’ Carter Bahns called out Tennessee for not doing more to fix the quarterback situation. He pointed to the uncertainty, with the Vols possibly leaning on freshmen George MacIntyre and Faizon Brandon or the untested Staub.
Bahns’ Perspective
Bahns thinks skipping out on a plug-and-play starter is a pretty big risk. Experience matters, especially at quarterback, and he’s not sure this gamble will work. Maybe head coach Josh Heupel trusts his young guys, but it’s a bold move if so.
Efforts and Priorities
Insiders like On3 Sports’ Chris Low say Tennessee really did prioritize getting an experienced quarterback. Low made it clear that landing a proven starter was at the top of their to-do list during the offseason.
They just couldn’t close the deal, no matter how hard they tried.
Potential Outcomes
There are still a few wildcards left:
- Joey Aguilar: He’s fighting a legal battle to play one more year.
- George MacIntyre and Faizon Brandon: Both are highly-rated recruits who could surprise everyone.
Looking Ahead: 2026 Season Prospects
Quarterback worries aside, Tennessee does have a formula that’s worked before. Back in 2024, the Vols reached the College Football Playoff with tough defense and grit.
With Derek Owings joining as strength coach and a defense that looks revamped, maybe they can pull off something similar in 2026. Stranger things have happened, right?
Rebuilding and Resilience
The Vols have doubled down on defense and physical conditioning this year. Maybe that’s their way of balancing out the uncertainty at quarterback.
If the defense steps up and these young quarterbacks find their groove, Tennessee could throw a wrench in everyone’s predictions. There’s a real chance they surprise both critics and fans.
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