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

[sjt18]

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 Jake stays then it will be something other than football that keeps him at UT. Personal. Academic. Location. He could still turn the corner and win the job but things have to slow down for him. He just always looks rushed.

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.

That's why my money is on GM right now. Smart kid. Great arm and location. Athletic enough. The reports that came out indicated he was well ahead of the typical curve and especially when you think about how far behind the curve Nico was.

I think you said FB would have to be a generational guy to come in and start. I agree unless there are late injuries that just force their hand.

 

[Peradox1K]

Exactly how I feel!

Yeah... historically true freshmen won't start with Heupel, and George Mac is starting next year, barring a portal QB, which I may or may not welcome

 

[sjt18]

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.

Definitely right. And honestly, a concern. I like Heupel a lot. He's brought the program a long way in a short time. He's picked up momentum in recruiting. But the thing that was supposed to be a strength is still in question. He inherited Hooker and pursued Milton. He resisted Hooker and wanted Milton to be the guy. He was off.

He then went out and paid a king's ransom for Nico. I don't know who else they could have been a player for but Nico just wasn't very good. Still isn't. As a 3rd year CFB QB he's 13th in the Big 10

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?

I was responding to your comment earlier that seemed to defend Nico.

 

[Hairy Vols]

He inherited Hooker from Pruitt. Joey was the only option he had given the timing of Nico leaving. It was akin to the last gal in the bar at 2am. She's the only choice or you go home alone. To my mind, Heupel has yet to land a QB that fits his system and has excelled in it .

Your mind is wrong.

 

[SayUWantAreVOLution]

If Jake stays then it will be something other than football that keeps him at UT. Personal. Academic. Location. He could still turn the corner and win the job but things have to slow down for him. He just always looks rushed.

That's why my money is on GM right now. Smart kid. Great arm and location. Athletic enough. The reports that came out indicated he was well ahead of the typical curve and especially when you think about how far behind the curve Nico was.

I think you said FB would have to be a generational guy to come in and start. I agree unless there are late injuries that just force their hand.

I kind of hope Merk stays and is a game manager QB for us and we can have a season like this year (slipping quickly into Kevlar) and move further toward catching up with the elite in recruiting and portal work.

We're not elite in several positions and I'm not sure a big "splash QB" is a good use of NIL for next year. If we can build our D toward elite status, iron out the O Line problems, recruit hard for WRs, and (the hardest thing for VN) have a little patience that every year isn't "our big year," I think when Faizon Brandon ripens we might see ourselves being elite, top 5 for a few years.

Patience isn't something VN has but I'm hoping Coach Heupel sees that cracking into the realm of programs that are top 5 year after year requires:

Elite coaching...... we have some issues there.
Elite position recruiting EVERY year..... we aren't there yet.

 

[Hairy Vols]

Definitely right. And honestly, a concern. I like Heupel a lot. He's brought the program a long way in a short time. He's picked up momentum in recruiting. But the thing that was supposed to be a strength is still in question. He inherited Hooker and pursued Milton. He resisted Hooker and wanted Milton to be the guy. He was off.

He then went out and paid a king's ransom for Nico. I don't know who else they could have been a player for but Nico just wasn't very good. Still isn't. As a 3rd year CFB QB he's 13th in the Big 10

I was responding to your comment earlier that seemed to defend Nico.

Heupel has put TWO QB's in at least the light version of Heisman talks. Had two QBs who have lead the SEC. There is plenty you can bring up and criticize with Heupel. His QB's play isnt one of them.

Milton has maybe the most talented arm in the NFL and that's why he is still on a team. I would have wanted him to start over Hooker as well. In practice Milton looked far better than Hooker.

 

[UTwild82]

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.

All good points.

 

[SayUWantAreVOLution]

I was responding to your comment earlier that seemed to defend Nico.

I only defend Nico the same way I defend Milton, damn..... the guy should be an amazing QB if you look at him. God was very kind to them.

I believe Joe Milton IS learning to work with the gifts and limits he has. I believe he'll have success, even if it's as a dependable QB2 in the NFL.

Nico is a head case. All the gifts in the world won't help you if you don't want to put in the work. I'm not an NFL GM but if I were I'd give Nico's agent the number of a CFL GM if he contacted me.

 

[volfan411]

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.

What makes you think he has written him off other than the armchair QB's on this board?? He is still the number 2 QB and when JA was hurt he was the one coming into the game so saying he has written him off is far from what CJH actions indicate.

 

[volfan411]

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.

And the depth at the QB position will be razor thin next year. I think he has to go after a QB from the portal but the question to be answered is it a depth piece or someone to compete for the job.

 

[SayUWantAreVOLution]

What makes you think he has written him off other than the armchair QB's on this board?? He is still the number 2 QB and when JA was hurt he was the one coming into the game so saying he has written him off is far from what CJH actions indicate.

Austin Price, who might not be a 100% accurate source but beats VN, has said he expects Merk to hit the portal before next year.

Someone seems to have written someone off or Austin Price would be reporting Merk is anxiously awaiting his chance as the starter.

Do you think Merk has written off Heupel and UT and where do you think he'll go that's a step up?

 

[Woodlawn VOL]

Mac is the favorite, he is very talented and should be ready physically and should know the offense. It’s unfair to expect a true freshman that moved up a year to graduate early to come in and start on day 1. That talk is crazy, Mac was highly rated and shows promise. He is getting stronger. He is more talented than Merk, he is no doubt the odds on favorite. I am very high on Faizon but too expect him to win the job next year is expecting a lot. Anything is possible, but Mac is highly probable. GBO

 

[DevinF25]

I live in Greensboro NC, which is where Faizon plays his high school ball. He hasn’t played since the second week of the season due to a hand injury. He’s good but missing an entire season of development and competition might set him back a little at the start of his career.

 

[volfan411]

Austin Price, who might not be a 100% accurate source but beats VN, has said he expects Merk to hit the portal before next year.

Someone seems to have written someone off or Austin Price would be reporting Merk is anxiously awaiting his chance as the starter.

Do you think Merk has written off Heupel and UT and where do you think he'll go that's a step up?

I am not sure Merk has written of UT but if he were to transfer I could see him fitting in at a GA Tech or a school that runs a similar offense.

Obviously most on here did not follow him in HS but he was a very athletic two sport star that didn't camp like the others. Many thought if he had of participated in the camps he could have potentially become a 5 star.

 

[Peradox1K]

Austin Price, who might not be a 100% accurate source but beats VN, has said he expects Merk to hit the portal before next year.

Someone seems to have written someone off or Austin Price would be reporting Merk is anxiously awaiting his chance as the starter.

Do you think Merk has written off Heupel and UT and where do you think he'll go that's a step up?

I think he'll head to a smaller school... Maybe a Kansas or an Iowa State.

 

[cgrish]

Brandon may or may not be any good. We just saw it with Nico.

If we finish 7-5, I think he has to go get a transfer to start next year. Not sure he will have the capital to ride out a year with a true freshman taking his lumps against a much tougher schedule if this year turns into a collapse.

Are most people even thinking we already have a highly sought after recruit on campus in Mac. With a year to learn the offensive system that Joey learned in just a few weeks

 

[SayUWantAreVOLution]

I personally think CJH would like for Merk to stick around as quality depth for the future. I don't think he will ever be the starter but written off is far from what is on CJH's mind IMO.

If we roll into 2026 and G-Mac gets injured in game one and Brandon becomes the starter my expectations would be a 4-8 or 5-7 season. How many fans would accept that or be flaming CJH for lack of depth??

Merk is almost certainly leaving and much like this year, Heupel will have to go to the portal for someone experienced.

Rolling with Merk and G-Mac this year would've been coaching malpractice and rolling with G-Mac and Faizon would be coaching malpractice.

Rolling with Merk, G-Mac, and Faizon seems unlikely and we have other holes to fill so getting a 4th QB seems like a waste of resources.

Merk gets squeezed out because he either would be skipped by G-Mac or simply not good enough to be a starting SEC QB.

Resources are limited and keeping a year 3 scholarship backup is a luxury we can't afford with our other holes.

No disrespect to Merk but if he isn't able to start in year 3, we can't afford to keep him.

 

[cgrish]

I personally think CJH would like for Merk to stick around as quality depth for the future. I don't think he will ever be the starter but written off is far from what is on CJH's mind IMO.

If we roll into 2026 and G-Mac gets injured in game one and Brandon becomes the starter my expectations would be a 4-8 or 5-7 season. How many fans would accept that or be flaming CJH for lack of depth??

Who would transfer to not start

 

[Vol4lif3]

Will we ever have a great college qb that does very well in the nfl ?

 

[DaddyChad]

Simply not gonna happen. Heup doesn't start true freshmen. And true freshmen are not able to run his offense. G-Mac will be the guy next year, unless Josh goes for another portal veteran. And hopefully George understands the playbook more than Nico did.

I would bet there’s a great many things Nico doesn’t have a firm grasp on mentally.

 

[OrangeInKy]

The risk is if he gets a "veteran placeholder" and G-Mac isn't as developed as Heupel thinks, we're looking at a very rough year without a QB we really can trust.

The other side of the risk is if he gets a "splash QB" from the portal, he's undercutting G-Mac's confidence and possibly nudging him toward the portal.

If he were to land a younger but talented enough "splash QB" we might get back on track and get 2 years from him and have Faizon take over as a RS Sophomore. That's the best case

I like Mcown at UTSA but he’s not exactly mobile

 

[volfan411]

Who would transfer to not start

Are you asking would Merk transfer to not start or if a QB would transfer in to not start??

I think if Merk transfers he is confident he would be the starter at his next stop and I agree no way do we land a portal addition to be a bench player. If CJH takes a portal QB it will be to compete for the starting job.

 

[volfan411]

The risk is if he gets a "veteran placeholder" and G-Mac isn't as developed as Heupel thinks, we're looking at a very rough year without a QB we really can trust.

The other side of the risk is if he gets a "splash QB" from the portal, he's undercutting G-Mac's confidence and possibly nudging him toward the portal.

If he were to land a younger but talented enough "splash QB" we might get back on track and get 2 years from him and have Faizon take over as a RS Sophomore. That's the best case

I don't believe Brandon will sit and wait two years to start. He will have too many other schools in his ear telling him that he would be starting on their roster so if he isn't starting as a RS freshman I think he is gone.

 

[SayUWantAreVOLution]

Are you asking would Merk transfer to not start or if a QB would transfer in to not start??

I think if Merk transfers he is confident he would be the starter at his next stop and I agree no way do we land a portal addition to be a bench player. If CJH takes a portal QB it will be to compete for the starting job.

And there's the rub.

If we get a portal QB who is "too experienced and too good" to lose the QB1 competition, does G-Mac then decide to leave because Faizon may be ready in 2027 leaving G-Mac never starting.

If we get a portal QB who isn't "so experienced and good they can play QB1" then if G-Mac isn't really ready or busts or gets hurt, we've got a true freshman QB or a guy who might not be ready or busts.

The delicate situation is getting someone who CAN play reasonably but CAN'T play so well that G-Mac feels recruited over.

 

[LegionnaireOfTheMiserable]

Are most people even thinking we already have a highly sought after recruit on campus in Mac. With a year to learn the offensive system that Joey learned in just a few weeks

Milton didn’t learn it in 3 years, and Nico didn’t in 2. Let’s stop acting like good QB play is an automatic in this system and give credit to Hooker and Aguilar for their own merits.

Furthermore, G Mac had a 2 win season as a junior. He is far from a given.