What Josh Heupel is mulling before naming Tennessee football starting QB

Tennessee football coach Josh Heupel remains open to potentially naming his starting quarterback just before game week, though he has not made a definitive decision yet. Five-star freshman Faizon Brandon and sophomore George MacIntyre are the leading contenders, with Brandon demonstrating strong performance in the preseason scrimmage.

Brandon's abilities as both a runner and passer, along with his big-play potential, make him a strong candidate. MacIntyre also showed promise but made some mistakes, including an interception returned for a touchdown and an overthrown deep pass. Heupel emphasizes that the decision will depend on evaluating both players' readiness and what is best for the team as a whole.

Factors such as first-team reps and the timing of player integration into the offense are considered. If the Vols win a close game, it's possible both quarterbacks could see action, providing Heupel more information for his decision. Heupel's approach to selecting a starter has varied in the past; he named Joey Aguilar as the starter just after the scrimmage last year, while in 2021, he waited until game week to announce Joe Milton as the starter.

Brandon's performance in the scrimmage, particularly his effectiveness as a deep passing threat, aligns well with Tennessee's offensive strategy, which aims to lead the SEC in scoring. Heupel's ultimate decision will weigh various factors to ensure the best choice for the team's success.