
Quarterback race set to define Volunteers’ 2026 outlook
The Volunteers are weighing their options at quarterback, with preseason practices set to shape the final decision.
Latest Slidescroller coverage mentioning Ryan Staub across Football.

The Volunteers are weighing their options at quarterback, with preseason practices set to shape the final decision.
The 2026 college football season is shaping up to be defined by a wave of transfer quarterbacks across the SEC, a trend that has already left its mark on the national stage. In the past two national championship games every starting quarterback was a transfer, and last year’s Heisman Trophy winner and runner‑up both arrived via the portal, signalling a seismic shift in how programs build their offenses.

Two Volunteers crack the top‑25 offensive skill players for 2026, heralding a potent attack and a quarterback battle that could define the year.
Illinois coach Bret Bielema disclosed a massive financial overture from Tennessee for Luke Altmyer, who chose to stay with Illinois. The revelation follows a dramatic bowl win and sets the stage for Tennessee’s new quarterback strategy.

The Vols enter 2026 with a new defensive coordinator, a quarterback competition, and a revised schedule, leaving SEC Network analyst Roman Harper cautious about their outlook.

Joey Aguilar, now with the Jacksonville Jaguars, expresses confidence in Brendan Sorsby’s eligibility and future, while Tennessee continues to sort its quarterback competition ahead of the September 5 season opener.

The Volunteers are navigating an open quarterback competition, the absence of a key player, and the impact of fresh coaching leadership as they prepare for the upcoming season.

Spring practices across the SEC have already begun to shape the narrative for the 2026 college football season, and early quarterback rankings are emerging from the first wave of games and workouts. Arch Manning, the 2026 Heisman favorite and projected No. 1 overall pick in the 2027 NFL Draft, looms as a focal point of the conversation.

Spring practices have set the stage for a volatile SEC quarterback race, with emerging stars, injury comebacks and transfer battles shaping each team's prospects.

A three‑way battle for the starting spot highlights both experience and potential, with ESPN’s analysis linking the newcomer to a Volunteers legend.

With the 2026 season less than three months away, SEC coaches voice skepticism about Tennessee’s fifth‑year quarterback shuffle, highlighting the lack of an experienced starter and the challenges it poses for coach Josh Heupel.
Tennessee is mapping its quarterback depth for the 2027 season, balancing competition between George MacIntyre and Faizon Brandon with the challenge of securing a reliable backup in a market where most college signal‑callers seek starting roles.

With Faizon Brandon, George MacIntyre and Colorado transfer Ryan Staub in the mix, the Volunteers' quarterback position remains unsettled heading into fall camp.

A look at the betting lines, the candidates, and the factors that will determine Tennessee’s opening quarterback.

The Tennessee Volunteers' offseason revolves around a fierce quarterback battle. With Coach Josh Heupel yet to name a starter, the outcome will shape the team's prospects, especially in the early games against Georgia Tech.

The removal of the spring transfer portal window has left several top programs without a crucial avenue to fill key positions, prompting calls for its return.

The NCAA's decision to eliminate the spring transfer portal window has stripped eight major programs of a key tool, forcing coaches and players to adjust under heightened pressure.

The NCAA's elimination of the spring transfer portal window has forced Power Four teams to confront depth issues, injuries and uncertain quarterback situations, prompting calls for a mid‑season window.