Tennessee Football HC Josh Heupel Discusses QB Battle to Start Spring Camp

Heupel says the quarterback competition is wide open as the Vols begin spring practice.

Mar. 16, 2026 at 9:24pm

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Tennessee football head coach Josh Heupel met with the media after the team's first spring practice, discussing the quarterback battle between George MacIntyre, Faizon Brandon, and Ryan Staub. Heupel said the competition is open and that he doesn't expect a starter to be named during spring ball, but wants to see the quarterbacks grow and learn the offense throughout the 15 spring practice sessions.

Why it matters

Tennessee is looking to replace starting quarterback Hendon Hooker, who led the Vols to a 10-3 season in 2025. The quarterback competition will be a key storyline to watch as the Vols prepare for the 2026 season under Heupel's high-powered offense.

The details

Heupel said he wants to see MacIntyre and Brandon, the two main contenders, improve their understanding of the offense, communication, and ability to read defenses. He noted that while the entire playbook may not be installed during spring, he wants to "force feed" the quarterbacks and expose them to what they'll need to know for the fall. Heupel praised the mental quickness and accuracy of both MacIntyre and Brandon, saying there is still room for fundamental growth.

  • Tennessee held its first spring practice on Monday, March 16, 2026.
  • Heupel met with the media after the practice session to discuss the quarterback competition.

The players

Josh Heupel

The head coach of the Tennessee Volunteers football team.

George MacIntyre

One of the three quarterbacks competing for the starting job at Tennessee.

Faizon Brandon

One of the three quarterbacks competing for the starting job at Tennessee.

Ryan Staub

One of the three quarterbacks competing for the starting job at Tennessee.

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What they’re saying

“They've had a good winter with the introduction of some of the things that we're doing offensively. George obviously has more time on task with the general basis of what we're doing. But as those guys have come into the program, gaining an understanding of what we're doing, the communication, how they're calling protections, adjusting protections, our run-game rules, being able to control everything that we're doing.”

— Josh Heupel, Head Coach (rockytopinsider.com)

“Don't expect a guy to be named here during the course of spring ball. I think it's important that all the guys in that room learn and grow throughout the course of spring, also have a chance to go back in your summer months, digest it, reinstall and come back a much better player and compete and earn it in front of their teammates as you get into training camp.”

— Josh Heupel, Head Coach (rockytopinsider.com)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

Tennessee's quarterback competition will be a key storyline to watch this spring as the Vols look to replace Hendon Hooker. Head coach Josh Heupel is taking a patient approach, wanting to see the quarterbacks grow and learn the offense before naming a starter, rather than rushing to a decision during spring practice.