What Josh Heupel is mulling before naming Tennessee football starting QB
Josh Heupel left open the possibility that he could wait until game week to name Tennessee's starting quarterback. Here's what he is considering.
Tennessee football coach Josh Heupel has indicated he may wait until the start of the 2026 season to name his starting quarterback, though he has not ruled out naming a starter sooner. Five-star freshman Faizon Brandon and sophomore George MacIntyre have emerged as the two primary contenders following the final intrasquad scrimmage on Aug.
22. Brandon demonstrated his big-play potential as a runner and passer during the scrimmage, but he also made some mistakes, including an interception. MacIntyre, on the other hand, managed the offense reasonably well but also committed errors, such as an interception returned for a touchdown and an overthrown deep pass. Heupel emphasized that he will evaluate the performance of both quarterbacks holistically, considering their readiness and the best interests of the team.
He also pointed out that naming a starter early could provide some advantages, such as allowing one quarterback to take the majority of first-team reps. Heupel has previously named his starting quarterback shortly after the scrimmage, as he did in 2021, when he announced Joe Milton as the starter over Hendon Hooker. However, he also has the option to wait until game week, which he did in 2022 when he named Joey Aguilar as the starter over Jake Merklinger and MacIntyre.
Brandon's performance in the scrimmage, particularly his ability to connect on deep passes, aligns well with Tennessee's offensive strategy, which has increasingly focused on long passing plays. Heupel stressed the importance of the quarterback's ability to manipulate and work in the pocket, make accurate throws, and maintain ball security.
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