'25 QB transfer prospects (Joey Aguilar)

[VolNash17]

I feel like with the level of athletes/recruits/experience we have on the OL, they should be very good. There aren't many teams matching the amount of 4 and 5 star OL we have. If they aren't it's an indictment on Ellarbee.

Indeed, they weren’t bad last year overall but it’s a few spots that they need to be better in like the tackle spot. Injuries happen and hopefully they have enough there. We’ll see!

 

[Jimmy Football]

Involved with several QBs that would be automatic starters

• Tennessee needs to add WRs to help sway QBs

• Merk could be a flight risk


•If something doesn't surface in next 24-36 hours, likely not adding a starter.

- Basillo update FWIW

The QB-WR thing is a chicken-egg problem.

 

[B EaZy40]

Are you a cop or something?

 

[LotteryPick]

Admittedly, I haven't watched him play since he left Ole Miss. Just looking at his stats, it looks like he had a good game against Nebraska but the rest of his performances against ranked opponents looks pretty rough on paper.

View attachment 736093

It’s about fit. Hooker was far less impressive at VT.

This offense needs someone that can process quickly, move the offense at a breakneck pace and hit the deep shots when the pace brings the defense out of position.

 

[Johnny Majors' Ghost]

If you can get Altmyer you take him. Solidifies the QB position in 2025 and sets up a 3 man race for 2026.

 

[BigOrangeTrain]

Why? Genuinely curious. Merk has thrown something like 9 passes and you’re good with him over two proven guys? I just don’t get it. Fifth year of Heupels tenure and you roll into a pivotal season with Merk, that’s a massive risk and a huge mistake IMHO

He knows the system way better than anyone coming out of the portal will. This isn’t a pivotal season for Heupel. This is a mulligan season. He had his starting QB leave at the worst time. Also, you don’t think Merk has earned the trust of the team? How do you know an experienced guy in the portal is just gonna come in learn the system, earn the respect of the team, unify the locker room and be able to operate the offense at a high level?

Now let’s say you get a good QB out of the portal and he wins the starting job. And Merk leaves. Then what? What if the portal QB gets hurt and Merk is gone? What if Merk leaves and some others feel like Heupel did Merk dirty and leave? What if Brandon sees this move and doesn’t like it? Some of you are not looking at the potential catastrophic situation we could be in. Yeah those are hypothetical situations but worth considering imo.

 

[PowerT.]

I feel like the floor with Altmyer is 8-4, but with a better QB coach (Heupel) maybe he can get us to 9-3,10-2

 

[Ttucke11]

I mean kids can decide to do anything....but Heupel very quickly stated we would bring in another QB. I don't think Merk and GMac are stupid, they fully realize we need a 3rd QB no matter what. Neither expected to play much this year anyway. Not sure what the difference would be to either of them if a 1 year bridge guy came in and played. Now if you get a multi year guy, yea that's different.

 

[bpalmer28]

I feel like the floor with Altmyer is 8-4, but with a better QB coach (Heupel) maybe he can get us to 9-3,10-2

I don't think anyone can beat us with Becht.

 

[RDU VOL#14]

Are you assuming the right guy is out of the portal? If so I find that highly unlikely.

Based on what some of the people “in the know” are saying, I think it’s a real possibility that we might actually be improved at the quarterback position this year. It honestly doesn’t need to be a massive improvement either IMO. It sounds like we will find out in the next 36-48 hours.

 

[xman1102]

How was Nico talking to Miami in December and Oregon in the spring without ever entering the portal?

These kids have agents/family members etc talking to teams all the time

Yeah i get that i just don't know how that can not be tampering. Seems like a thin line.

 

[Visidog]

It’s about fit. Hooker was far less impressive at VT.

This offense needs someone that can process quickly, move the offense at a breakneck pace and hit the deep shots when the pace brings the defense out of position.

This, though I’d add “when it breaks down, get yards with his legs.” Hooker was so dang good at making his reads and then knowing that, if something looked wrong, it meant he could run. His read would look left based on alignment—if all of those routes ended up covered, it’s because someone vacated the box to help.

 

[seaofORANGE22]

He knows the system way better than anyone coming out of the portal will. This isn’t a pivotal season for Heupel. This is a mulligan season. He had his starting QB leave at the worst time. Also, you don’t think Merk has earned the trust of the team? How do you know an experienced guy in the portal is just gonna come in learn the system, earn the respect of the team, unify the locker room and be able to operate the offense at a high level?

Now let’s say you get a good QB out of the portal and he wins the starting job. And Merk leaves. Then what? What if the portal QB gets hurt and Merk is gone? What if Merk leaves and some others feel like Heupel did Merk dirty and leave? What if Brandon sees this move and doesn’t like it? Some of you are not looking at the potential catastrophic situation we could be in. Yeah those are hypothetical situations but worth considering imo.

This is absolutely not a mulligan season. There will be no expectations lowered here no matter how this QB situation plays out. Heupels job is to win and go compete for championships every time you take the field.

Don't get too attached to the potential of a guy we've never seen play. Maybe he's great. Everybody was so sure Nico was a future #1 pick.

Go find the QB thats best for this program and this team this season. Period imo.

Maybe thats Merklinger. Maybe not. Nobody knows.

 

[T2P_Priceless]

He knows the system way better than anyone coming out of the portal will. This isn’t a pivotal season for Heupel. This is a mulligan season. He had his starting QB leave at the worst time. Also, you don’t think Merk has earned the trust of the team? How do you know an experienced guy in the portal is just gonna come in learn the system, earn the respect of the team, unify the locker room and be able to operate the offense at a high level?

Now let’s say you get a good QB out of the portal and he wins the starting job. And Merk leaves. Then what? What if the portal QB gets hurt and Merk is gone? What if Merk leaves and some others feel like Heupel did Merk dirty and leave? What if Brandon sees this move and doesn’t like it? Some of you are not looking at the potential catastrophic situation we could be in. Yeah those are hypothetical situations but worth considering imo.

I like what Swain said yesterday. He said Vol fans need to get the word "Let" out of their vocabulary when talking about the QB situation. People saying "Just let Merk have the job" and similar sentiments. He said the job is earned. You don't let anyone have it. Bringing in competition is a good thing and we definitely need another QB anyway. What happens if Merk gets hurt? Then GMac gets hurt? Very real possibilities, it's happened. We'll be down to a WR running the wildcat every play like KY did a few years ago.

 

[jpope9]

Based on what some of the people “in the know” are saying, I think it’s a real possibility that we might actually be improved at the quarterback position this year. It honestly doesn’t need to be a massive improvement either IMO. It sounds like we will find out in the next 36-48 hours.

all we need honestly is a qb who can hit a wide open WR streaking in the middle. Like Hooker was able to do.

 

[knoxvol52]

11:43 a.m.

 

[Lloyd_Christmas]

Involved with several QBs that would be automatic starters

• Tennessee needs to add WRs to help sway QBs

• Merk could be a flight risk


•If something doesn't surface in next 24-36 hours, likely not adding a starter.

- Basillo update FWIW

Hope he wiped his source after it was done telling him this.

 

[JCVol00]

Id be thrilled with Becht, happy with Altmyer

 

[TheMookieMonster]

I think Altmeyer would be just….fine. I see him as a high-floor, low-ceiling type of prospect. You know to some degree what you’ll get from him. It will be serviceable QB play that probably wins you all the games you will be favorites in, but I don’t know if he has that extra gear necessary to beat Alabama or Florida on the road, or Georgia at home.

Still, if we land him I’ll be happy. We aren’t in a position to scoff at anyone right now. Just gotta have someone.

 

[NoogaVol96]

All things considered Altmeyer would be a great get at this point. Keeps you afloat this season and sets you up to be back on track in 2026.

 

[bpalmer28]

I think Altmeyer would be just….fine. I see him as a high-floor, low-ceiling type of prospect. You know to some degree what you’ll get from him. It will be serviceable QB play that probably wins you all the games you will be favorites in, but I don’t know if he has that extra gear necessary to beat Alabama or Florida on the road, or Georgia at home.

Still, if we land him I’ll be happy. We aren’t in a position to scoff at anyone right now. Just gotta have someone.

pretty much exactly where i’m at as well

 

[Brillovol]

11:43 a.m.

It’s all 2 pm around here tho.

 

[NighthawkVol]

He knows the system way better than anyone coming out of the portal will. This isn’t a pivotal season for Heupel. This is a mulligan season. He had his starting QB leave at the worst time. Also, you don’t think Merk has earned the trust of the team? How do you know an experienced guy in the portal is just gonna come in learn the system, earn the respect of the team, unify the locker room and be able to operate the offense at a high level?

Now let’s say you get a good QB out of the portal and he wins the starting job. And Merk leaves. Then what? What if the portal QB gets hurt and Merk is gone? What if Merk leaves and some others feel like Heupel did Merk dirty and leave? What if Brandon sees this move and doesn’t like it? Some of you are not looking at the potential catastrophic situation we could be in. Yeah those are hypothetical situations but worth considering imo.

There's a lot of conjecture in there.

 

[aRmo]

I don't think anyone can beat us with Becht.

We would be back in the playoff with Becht, assuming he picks up the system pretty well.

 

[jpope9]

We would be back in the playoff with Becht, assuming he picks up the system pretty well.

honestly, Hype's offense isnt too difficult to learn, its very QB friendly. Not a very big playbook