The Tennessee Volunteers are in the midst of a big shift in their football program. There’s been a wave of changes and some bold choices lately.
This offseason, the Vols have dived headfirst into the NCAA transfer portal. They’ve brought in nearly as many transfers this month—20—as they had in the last three years combined, which is kind of wild if you think about it.
It’s all part of a broader plan to strengthen the team and patch up some problem spots. There’s a definite sense around Knoxville that they want to get back to being a serious contender.
Embracing the Transfer Portal
Despite their aggressive efforts, Tennessee missed out on a few big-name transfer quarterbacks. Brendan Sorsby from Cincinnati and Sam Leavitt from Arizona State were both on their list, but things didn’t pan out.
They’d hoped for a quick decision from Joey Aguilar, their current starter, who’s trying to get another year of eligibility. There was some buzz about Alabama’s Ty Simpson and Missouri’s Beau Pribula, too.
In the end, Tennessee added Ryan Staub, a veteran transfer from Colorado. He brings some much-needed experience and could settle things down in the quarterback room.
Betting on Young Talent
Even with all the portal action, the Vols are focusing hard on developing young quarterbacks. ESPN thinks redshirt freshman George MacIntyre will be the starter for 2026.
MacIntyre was the No. 3 QB last year behind Aguilar and Jake Merklinger. He’s only had a handful of snaps, but people are talking about his upside.
George MacIntyre’s Potential
He’s a Franklin, Tennessee kid and was ranked No. 109 overall in the 2025 SC Next 300. In his redshirt season, he completed 7-of-9 passes for 69 yards in two nonconference games.
Coaches and teammates have been impressed by his work in preseason camp and practice. Offensive coordinator Joey Halzle has talked up MacIntyre’s maturity and competitiveness, which is always a good sign for a young quarterback.
The Rise of Faizon Brandon
Another name to watch is freshman Faizon Brandon. He’s a 247Sports five-star recruit and the No. 2 overall player in the 2026 class.
Brandon played at Grimsley High School in Greensboro, N.C., and even though a thumb injury sidelined him for much of his senior year, he still made a mark.
Brandon’s High School Success
He went 33-1 as a starter, completed over 72% of his passes, and threw for 6,374 yards and 79 touchdowns. He also ran for 1,261 yards and scored 21 times on the ground.
Head coach Josh Heupel seems genuinely excited about Brandon. He’s called him explosive, quick-thinking, and someone who just clicks with teammates—a pretty good combo for a QB, honestly.
Strategic Coaching Moves
It’s not just about the players, though. Tennessee has made some important coaching hires to boost the program.
One big addition is Derek Owings, the new Director of Football Sports Performance. He’s got a strong background and was part of Indiana’s national championship-winning staff.
New Sports Performance Staff
Owings has put together a pretty stacked team to run the offseason program, including:
- Carl Miller: Associate Director of Football Sports Performance, previously at Indiana
- Josh Huff: Director of Applied Performance Science, previously at Indiana
- Jason Wooding: Associate Director of Football Sports Performance, previously at Maryland
- Elijah Blackman: Assistant Director of Football Sports Performance, previously at Kansas State
- Drew Painter: Assistant Director of Football Sports Performance, previously at Baylor
- Katie O’Connor: Director of Football Nutrition, previously at Kansas
This group brings a mix of experience and fresh ideas. Their track records suggest they’ll have a real impact on player growth and the team’s overall performance.
Looking Ahead to the 2026 Season
Heading into 2026, the quarterback battle between MacIntyre and Brandon is going to be a hot topic. Both guys have something special, and fans are already debating who should get the nod.
The new coaching staff and smart use of the transfer portal could really shake things up. There’s a cautious optimism in the air, but no one’s making any bold predictions just yet.
Challenges and Opportunities
Replacing SEC’s leading passer Joey Aguilar won’t be easy. Still, keeping eight starters on offense and shoring up the defense with transfers are steps in the right direction.
Derek Owings and his performance staff will be under the microscope. If they can get the most out of this roster, Tennessee could surprise some people.
For more on Tennessee’s quarterback situation and updates, check out the full article on 247Sports.
Conclusion
The Tennessee Volunteers are right in the middle of an exciting, maybe even game-changing, stretch. They’ve been making smart moves with new players and seem pretty serious about developing their younger guys.
Bringing in experienced coaches doesn’t hurt, either. All these changes could mean the Vols are about to turn a corner next season.
And let’s be honest, the battle between George MacIntyre and Faizon Brandon is shaping up to be a real story. Who ends up leading Tennessee? That’s something worth watching.
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