Faizon Brandon Has to be coming in as true freshman starter no doubt.

[GVol1966]

His playing time says otherwise. Everyone loves the backup and he’s smart enough to know his time is elsewhere if he wants to play. Again, if he was the answer we don’t go get Joey.

Dumb as frack!
He’s a true freshman, no way in hell he was gonna be the starter for CJH this year but to say that confirms he won’t in the future is idiotic!
99% of coaches with a true freshman and a redshirt Fr that’s not as good as your only QB’s going into the season go get a experienced QB.
The other 1% get fired in year 1 because they are stupid.

 

[Butch s]

His capital looks pretty strong to me. I think he's good for at least several more years of the fans dreaming about eaking out 10 wins and 'making' the playoff. Then we may get serious and look for a winning coach.

Wait til year 10 when he gets his guys in here

 

[Majors]

Dumb as frack!
He’s a true freshman, no way in hell he was gonna be the starter for CJH this year but to say that confirms he won’t in the future is idiotic!
99% of coaches with a true freshman and a redshirt Fr that’s not as good as your only QB’s going into the season go get a experienced QB.
The other 1% get fired in year 1 because they are stupid.

My apologies, I was referring to Merk not Mac.

 

[GVol1966]

My apologies, I was referring to Merk not Mac.

Oh ok you said Mac.
I take back what I said.
You’re probably right about Merk, he hasn’t convinced anyone to the contrary while he’s been here that I’m aware of.

 

[PastorVolFan]

Dumb as frack!
He’s a true freshman, no way in hell he was gonna be the starter for CJH this year but to say that confirms he won’t in the future is idiotic!
99% of coaches with a true freshman and a redshirt Fr that’s not as good as your only QB’s going into the season go get a experienced QB.
The other 1% get fired in year 1 because they are stupid.

This is what I was saying that he misunderstood...Josh doesn't start true freshmen, period...

And the reason Merk isn't playing is because he struggled greatly in offseason practice and preseason camp. Multiple sources said he was by far the least impressive of the qbs taking snaps. And we have seen that even during his garbage time appearances. And he's a redshirt freshman with almost 2 seasons under his belt. He gone...

 

[knoxvol52]

The original OP is

 

[maryvillenative]

He’s too elite to redshirt.

And you know this how?? Did you feel the same about Nico? Do you realize that he was injured in the first game of the season this and has not returned? He's cleared to play in the playoffs which start Friday, let's hope for the best.

 

[ThreatLevelOrange]

Prepare to go 6-6.

 

[maryvillenative]

Is anyone on this post taking into account that Faizon has only played in ONE game this season? He injured his thumb in the season opener and hasn't returned. He has been cleared to play in the playoffs which start Friday night in NC.

​

 

[SayUWantAreVOLution]

Having qbs is a JH core strength. Not worried about this. Defense on the other hand…

Is it though? Given his resume, yes, but....

Did we have a stellar QB other than Hooker since Heupel got here and Hooker was really was catching lightning in a bottle unexpected.

Milton. Heupel's first selection and he probably got as much as Milton's head (not his physique) can generate.

Nico. What more can be said about his lack of development and his attitude?

Merk. Will we ever see anything there?

G-Mac. Apparently not a 5* true freshman phenomenon who could clearly develop to vault to QB2 ahead of a seemingly lackluster Merk.

Joey A. Very good development of a QB who probably would've never sniffed an SEC scholarship without the Nico mess.

If Faizon Brandon doesn't develop substantially at UT, can we still call Heupel a dependable QB guru? I can give Heupel 3 years with Faizon Brandon but we had better see a damn good QB at some point or I've got real doubts that Heupel is an exceptional QB recruiter and developer.

 

[TheVolsFrog]

Is it though? Given his resume, yes, but....

Did we have a stellar QB other than Hooker since Heupel got here and Hooker was really was catching lightning in a bottle unexpected.

Milton. Heupel's first selection and he probably got as much as Milton's head (not his physique) can generate.

Nico. What more can be said about his lack of development and his attitude?

Merk. Will we ever see anything there?

G-Mac. Apparently not a 5* true freshman phenomenon who could clearly develop to vault to QB2 ahead of a seemingly lackluster Merk.

Joey A. Very good development of a QB who probably would've never sniffed an SEC scholarship without the Nico mess.

If Faizon Brandon doesn't develop substantially at UT, can we still call Heupel a dependable QB guru? I can give Heupel 3 years with Faizon Brandon but we had better see a damn good QB at some point or I've got real doubts that Heupel is an exceptional QB recruiter and developer.

Well he's got one QB in the NFL as QB2
I still think bigger schools may start using the portal more for QBs rather than spending NIL on HS QB
Guess we'll see

 

[sjt18]

Exactly how I feel!

Your "feelings" not withstanding... Brandon doesn't "have" to. GM needs to add some bulk but the arm talent is there. He's accurate. He has very good field vision. He picked up the system quickly.

He was the "Dobbs" of this year's off season. Maybe not quite ready to run things but the flashes in practice can't be denied. There were more than a few open rumors saying he was the guy who looked best among the QBs.

Let them all compete. Let the best QB win regardless of who it is. But the notion that Brandon "has" to be the starter is way off.

 

[sjt18]

Is it though? Given his resume, yes, but....

Did we have a stellar QB other than Hooker since Heupel got here and Hooker was really was catching lightning in a bottle unexpected.

Milton. Heupel's first selection and he probably got as much as Milton's head (not his physique) can generate.

Nico. What more can be said about his lack of development and his attitude?

Merk. Will we ever see anything there?

G-Mac. Apparently not a 5* true freshman phenomenon who could clearly develop to vault to QB2 ahead of a seemingly lackluster Merk.

Joey A. Very good development of a QB who probably would've never sniffed an SEC scholarship without the Nico mess.

If Faizon Brandon doesn't develop substantially at UT, can we still call Heupel a dependable QB guru? I can give Heupel 3 years with Faizon Brandon but we had better see a damn good QB at some point or I've got real doubts that Heupel is an exceptional QB recruiter and developer.

Merklinger has more experience in the system. He's not as likely to make mistakes if called on in a crunch. I'm actually a fan of the guy and wish he had the kind of talent UT needs at QB. I doubt he is.

IMHO, if JA were to go down, we would see GM either take over in short order or get a live game audition as 1a. The spring and fall reports I saw gave a lot of hope that GM was every bit the 5* arm talent he was before shutting it down and not camping.

 

[SayUWantAreVOLution]

Well he's got one QB in the NFL as QB2
I still think bigger schools may start using the portal more for QBs rather than spending NIL on HS QB
Guess we'll see

He's HAD some success in recent years with QBs, which I have him credit for, and big success in his more distant past with QBs.

But what can we say if another "major get at QB" fails to develop under Heupel?

Nico was hyped as the guy UT felt strong enough about to take on the NCAA to get and to pay a ton of money. He's not a bad QB but his on field development was less than impressive even outside his head case NIL crap.

I'm expecting a lot from Faizon Brandon when it comes to development. Like Nico, he has the hype and if he doesn't develop we have to take a look at why Heupel seems to get more from less gifted QBs than he does from the gifted QBs.

I don't think that's harsh. I think that's fair IF Brandon doesn't develop and as I said, I'll give him up to 3 years which is generous for QB development these days.

 

[SayUWantAreVOLution]

Merklinger has more experience in the system. He's not as likely to make mistakes if called on in a crunch. I'm actually a fan of the guy and wish he had the kind of talent UT needs at QB. I doubt he is.

IMHO, if JA were to go down, we would see GM either take over in short order or get a live game audition as 1a. The spring and fall reports I saw gave a lot of hope that GM was every bit the 5* arm talent he was before shutting it down and not camping.

Merk had more experience than Joey A in the system but that wasn't enough to push him past Joey A who, no disrespect, isn't a hugely blessed QB like most SEC recruits like Merk.

I like Joey A and he's done better than I expected, picked up the system quickly, and has given everything he has in every game but let's be honest, there's no way we'd have recruited him to play at UT unless the Nico crap happened.

Given that, a one year in Merk who WAS recruited to UT for good reason had not developed beyond a last minute, game experienced Joey A.

Heupel gets a +1 for his work with Joey A.

What does he get for his work with Merk?

 

[OrangeBeachVol]

Merk had more experience than Joey A in the system but that wasn't enough to push him past Joey A who, no disrespect, isn't a hugely blessed QB like most SEC recruits like Merk.

I like Joey A and he's done better than I expected, picked up the system quickly, and has given everything he has in every game but let's be honest, there's no way we'd have recruited him to play at UT unless the Nico crap happened.

Given that, a one year in Merk who WAS recruited to UT for good reason had not developed beyond a last minute, game experienced Joey A.

Heupel gets a +1 for his work with Joey A.

What does he get for his work with Merk?

Heuple seemed to write Merk off after spring practice. Guess we'll never know if it was Heupel's inability to develop him or he just decided Merk was not an SEC level QB. Whatever the real reason looks like Merks best option is somewhere else.

Going to be interesting what direction Heuple goes with the QB situation for next yr.

 

[sjt18]

Merk had more experience than Joey A in the system but that wasn't enough to push him past Joey A who, no disrespect, isn't a hugely blessed QB like most SEC recruits like Merk.

I like Joey A and he's done better than I expected, picked up the system quickly, and has given everything he has in every game but let's be honest, there's no way we'd have recruited him to play at UT unless the Nico crap happened.

Given that, a one year in Merk who WAS recruited to UT for good reason had not developed beyond a last minute, game experienced Joey A.

Heupel gets a +1 for his work with Joey A.

What does he get for his work with Merk?

Some experience transfers. Not all but some. Merklinger has 2 years and JA has 5. JA has talent. Whether anyone recognized it or not he has enough arm and athleticism to be an SEC QB. He obviously has the head for learning systems. He is light years ahead of the last two guys in seeing the field and usually making good choices. He doesn't hesitate like Joe and Nico which IMO is better than making some stinker decisions from time to time. We've seen what happens in the "unusual" though... he throws it to the other guys too often.

Merklinger is a project. If he has patience then he has a chance to start at UT at some point. Maybe like the days when it wasn't so easy to transfer... a guy waits and develops then starts as a 4th or 5th year player. The likelihood though is that if I am right and GM passes him then he will find a place where he can start.

IMO, FB and GM will be the two competing for the job next August.

 

[SayUWantAreVOLution]

Heuple seemed to write Merk off after spring practice. Guess we'll never know if it was Heupel's inability to develop him or he just decided Merk was not an SEC level QB. Whatever the real reason looks like Merks best option is somewhere else.

Going to be interesting what direction Heuple goes with the QB situation for next yr.

I can't see Heupel starting a true freshman in the SEC unless Brandon is a generational, and I mean 3rd year Peyton as a true freshman, talent. That's unlikely.

The $9M/yr question is whether we look to the portal for a starter or backup because there's no way we're running with potentially G-Mac and Brandon (and possibly Merk.) I can't see that as working.

Maybe Heupel is already tamp(er)ing down a solid transfer prospect but the QB room. I hope he's been in contact with, but not been in NCAA contact with, a decent QB.

 

[sjt18]

Heuple seemed to write Merk off after spring practice. Guess we'll never know if it was Heupel's inability to develop him or he just decided Merk was not an SEC level QB. Whatever the real reason looks like Merks best option is somewhere else.

Going to be interesting what direction Heuple goes with the QB situation for next yr.

Just based on the little we've seen. Jake hasn't caught up with the speed of the game so that he doesn't look rushed. It might just be a matter of time or he could be like Guarantano and never catch up.

 

[UTwild82]

I think GMac is the starter, Faizon is backup, and Merk hits portal. But anything could happen. Will be interesting to watch it play out.

 

[sjt18]

I can't see Heupel starting a true freshman in the SEC unless Brandon is a generational, and I mean 3rd year Peyton as a true freshman, talent. That's unlikely.

The $9M/yr question is whether we look to the portal for a starter or backup because there's no way we're running with potentially G-Mac and Brandon (and possibly Merk.) I can't see that as working.

Maybe Heupel is already tamp(er)ing down a solid transfer prospect but the QB room. I hope he's been in contact with, but not been in NCAA contact with, a decent QB.

I think you have BADLY overestimated Nico. He is a great athlete. He was not even a "good" QB with or without the off field drama. Even in terms of personality he wasn't the kind of leader most teams need.

IF GM can gain some bulk to endure the physicality of the SEC then I think you are also badly underestimating him.

In this era, everyone is running with a #1 and a young back up or a 2nd tier guy with experience. Only a few go 3 deep with top end QBs. Guys just have no reason to sit around as back ups any more if they have an opportunity to start elsewhere. NIL gives them almost a guarantee to start.

 

[Vol737]

FB would have to really wow the coaching staff in spring and/or fall practice to even think about him starting. Even for the best and brightest, it’s still an enormous jump from HS into SEC football. Peyton might have played some, but would not have started at all his freshman year if not for attrition and injury. Will not be surprised if Heup takes another portal QB and probably should. And JA is proof there are portal QBs out there willing to come here with the promise of being able to truly compete for the starting job. Some people need to quit predetermining starters before we have way more information. A lot is going to happen in the offseason.

 

[SayUWantAreVOLution]

Some experience transfers. Not all but some. Merklinger has 2 years and JA has 5. JA has talent. Whether anyone recognized it or not he has enough arm and athleticism to be an SEC QB. He obviously has the head for learning systems. He is light years ahead of the last two guys in seeing the field and usually making good choices. He doesn't hesitate like Joe and Nico which IMO is better than making some stinker decisions from time to time. We've seen what happens in the "unusual" though... he throws it to the other guys too often.

Merklinger is a project. If he has patience then he has a chance to start at UT at some point. Maybe like the days when it wasn't so easy to transfer... a guy waits and develops then starts as a 4th or 5th year player. The likelihood though is that if I am right and GM passes him then he will find a place where he can start.

IMO, FB and GM will be the two competing for the job next August.

I'm impressed with Joey A but realistically he wouldn't be in the SEC unless the Nico mess happened. He was at App State, very visible to SEC schools, and he had transferred to UCLA, middling B1G program.

Again, I'm thankful for his talent and work at UT but c'mon, he lit it up at App State and nobody from the SEC grabbed him despite him being right in our backyard. I find it hard to believe EVERY SEC coach either missed his gun-slinging and exceptional 2023 season at App State and/or blew it on Joey A's evaluation. I'm not trying to be harsh, just realistic.

If Merk is a throwback to "wait your turn" QB days that's fine and it is how we expected things to go after Nico. 2026 SHOULD be Merk's coming out year but he didn't seem to separate himself and reports seem to be adding up that he's headed to the portal. Lord knows the UT football journalists have gotten it very wrong before so I guess we'll know in January.

If FB went G-Mac ARE competing for the starting job in 2026, it's going to be a long year. If we've learned anything about Heupel's "simple" offense over his time at UT, it's better suited to experienced QBs.

 

[sjt18]

I think GMac is the starter, Faizon is backup, and Merk hits portal. But anything could happen. Will be interesting to watch it play out.

My guess right now too but there is a chance as another said that Heupel goes to the portal to get experience. UT is VERY young on O. Sophs and under make up 14 of the 22 man two deep. There are five more that are getting run with the 1's in competitive play. He may want to add some maturity at QB.

That said, UT is going to have to spend a lot of NIL on D. Six starters and 2 more in the top 22 will run out of eligibility. They may not be able to afford to pursue a QB who is a better option.

 

[SayUWantAreVOLution]

I think you have BADLY overestimated Nico. He is a great athlete. He was not even a "good" QB with or without the off field drama. Even in terms of personality he wasn't the kind of leader most teams need.

IF GM can gain some bulk to endure the physicality of the SEC then I think you are also badly underestimating him.

In this era, everyone is running with a #1 and a young back up or a 2nd tier guy with experience. Only a few go 3 deep with top end QBs. Guys just have no reason to sit around as back ups any more if they have an opportunity to start elsewhere. NIL gives them almost a guarantee to start.

Again, Josh Heupel hung $8M on Nico, not me. Josh and UT went to the wall vs several other programs wanting Nico and the NCAA for Nico.

I'm not the one who overestimated Nico originally. Josh Heupel has the resume and the job of evaluating QBs and he, not me, bought the hype of Nico and worked hard to get him to UT.

If he didn't pan out, it's not because I "badly overestimated Nico." That blunder belongs on the desk of Josh Heupel, right?