Quarterback competitions are taking shape across the country as the college football season draws closer, with coaches nearing key decisions. At Tennessee, the Volunteers appear to be getting closer to naming their starter.
Tennessee is looking to replace Joey Aguilar, who threw for more than 3,500 yards before graduating following last season. The leading contenders for the job are George MacIntyre and Faizon Brandon.
MacIntyre holds the edge in experience after spending more than a year in the program. However, Brandon, an 18-year-old five-star freshman, has reportedly emerged as the early leader during fall camp.
Brandon Leads Way in Camp
Despite arriving on campus more recently, Brandon’s ability appears to be moving him closer to securing the starting role. Pete Nakos of On3 reported that the freshman has impressed during Tennessee’s preseason competition.
“Brandon completed multiple deep balls in Saturday’s scrimmage to take an early lead in the quarterback competition, sources told On3,” wrote Nakos. “Heupel is not ready to name a starter, but it could come following a second scrimmage later this week.”
The Volunteers held their first fall scrimmage Saturday, and Brandon displayed many of the qualities Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel wants to see from his quarterback.
Tennessee’s final fall scrimmage is scheduled for Aug. 22, and the program could potentially announce its starter as early as the following day.
247Sports ranked Brandon as the No. 3 overall prospect and quarterback in the 2026 recruiting class, behind Houston’s Keisean Henderson and Vanderbilt’s Jared Curtis.
During his career at Grimsley High School in Greensboro, N.C., Brandon threw for 7,490 yards, 90 touchdowns and just 10 interceptions, according to MaxPreps.
MacIntyre’s Hopes Dwindle
Despite the reports surrounding Brandon, MacIntyre remains in contention and will have another opportunity Saturday to make his case for the starting job.
A four-star recruit in the 2025 class, MacIntyre saw limited action in 2025 while playing behind Aguilar and Jake Merklinger. He attempted only nine passes, completing seven for 69 yards.
MacIntyre has not performed poorly during camp, but Brandon has been particularly impressive. The 20th-ranked Volunteers open against Furman on Sept. 5, and Heupel could choose to use both quarterbacks. Tennessee then travels to Atlanta to face Georgia Tech, a game in which having a settled and confident QB1 could become especially important.