QB 2026

#1
LAVol1

LAVol1

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#1
Under Heupel, every starting QB, other than the defector, has been an experienced transfer. Does JH bring in another transfer to compete for the job or does he depend solely on a kid who has not started a single game of college football to lead what should be a really talented team?
 
#4
#4
McDad said:
Right now the thought is Merk, Mac, and Faze compete. I may be alone in this opinion but I doubt Faze starts next year.
Wouldn't surprise me to see a portal QB brought in. Maybe more than one if Merk or Mac portal out.
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I’ve had this thought too. Find it hard to think a frosh starts. I’m betting GMac but who knows. Wouldn’t be shocked to see us rent a qb for a year
 
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#6
#6
McDad said:
Right now the thought is Merk, Mac, and Faze compete. I may be alone in this opinion but I doubt Faze starts next year.
Wouldn't surprise me to see a portal QB brought in. Maybe more than one if Merk or Mac portal out.
Click to expand...
Don’t think Merk is going to stay. Fully expect him to transfer out. He just does not look like an SEC caliber QB.

I think we’ll bring in a portal QB, wouldn’t be surprised if we take swing at someone like Josh Hoover and letting GMac sit another year.
 
#7
#7
I think it is possible they go to the portal but I also think they will alienate their recruits. I believe there would be Seniors out there who want to come to UT and be Aguilar of 2026.
 
#9
#9
I say this should be the new norm. Bring in a senior or junior with tons of football and if your younger guy(s) wins the job, that's a great problem to have. Why not?

Why not use every tool to your advantage? This is the NIL and portal life and don't let it pass you by...... Because it will
 
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#11
#11
LAVol1 said:
Under Heupel, every starting QB, other than the defector, has been an experienced transfer. Does JH bring in another transfer to compete for the job or does he depend solely on a kid who has not started a single game of college football to lead what should be a really talented team?
Click to expand...
My heart goes to Merklinger. But I think Heupel signed an almost ideal fit with GM. He needs to bulk up a little but he just fits what the Vols do in the passing game.
 
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#14
#14
The line of succession for 2026 is crystal clear. Merklinger up next, unless Merklinger really struggles and Macintyre can unseat him, with Brandon spending his first year getting acclimated with the system. If the staff gets a reputation for going out and headhunting senior QBs to transfer in and take the starting job away each year, why on earth would any QB sign with Tennessee out of high school?

What happened with Aguilar has worked out great for UT, but it was a stroke of dumb luck that Aguilar was on the other end of Iamaleava's transfer out. All UT did was swap Aguilar for Nico. 1 for 1 trade, no backsies. I think the original plan was to work with Nico, keep developing the other guys, and see how this year shook out with respect to QB play - it's just that Aguilar took Nico's place in the scheme. I think the rest of the QB room could accept that, since it was the plan and Aguilar's a one shot deal, but if you go out AGAIN and recruit over them ... ¯\_(ツ)_/¯.
 
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#15
#15
LAVol1 said:
Under Heupel, every starting QB, other than the defector, has been an experienced transfer. Does JH bring in another transfer to compete for the job or does he depend solely on a kid who has not started a single game of college football to lead what should be a really talented team?
Click to expand...
No, next year's job is GMac's to lose. He would have started this year but the guy dont weigh enough.
 
#16
#16
McDad said:
Right now the thought is Merk, Mac, and Faze compete. I may be alone in this opinion but I doubt Faze starts next year.
Wouldn't surprise me to see a portal QB brought in. Maybe more than one if Merk or Mac portal out.
Click to expand...
Merk will not be here.
 
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#17
#17
BigAljr said:
I think Merk hits (told) the portal, they bring in an upperclassman to compete and Faizon Brandon wins the job!
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Agree Merk will be gone, but gonna be tough to bring anyone in. What kid is going to transfer in without feeling he has a good chance of being the guy?
 
#18
#18
Unless we can get one of the guys we looked at after Nico to make the move then it will be one of those three.

I think you definitely take someone like Sawyer Robinson or Rocco Becht if they're looking for a better situation. If you can get interest from guys like Fernando Mendoza or Dylan Raiola bring in the Brinks truck though I think Mendoza goes to the NFL after this year.
 
#19
#19
iuvol said:
I think it is possible they go to the portal but I also think they will alienate their recruits. I believe there would be Seniors out there who want to come to UT and be Aguilar of 2026.
Click to expand...

Agree with this, hard to imagine QBs with no experience starting in the SEC much moving forward In the portal era
 
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#20
#20
Joey was needed as a stop gap due to the Nico sudden departure and he only had 1 yr eligibility so it would not affect the other QB's. Heuple apparently knew neither Merk nor GMac were ready to be starters.

I predict it will be GMack or Brandon, as others have said Merk is gone. Now if Joey somehow got another yr extension then of course he is guy but don't expect that.
 
#21
#21
Voltopia said:
The line of succession for 2026 is crystal clear. Merklinger up next, unless Merklinger really struggles and Macintyre can unseat him, with Brandon spending his first year getting acclimated with the system. If the staff gets a reputation for going out and headhunting senior QBs to transfer in and take the starting job away each year, why on earth would any QB sign with Tennessee out of high school?

What happened with Aguilar has worked out great for UT, but it was a stroke of dumb luck that Aguilar was on the other end of Iamaleava's transfer out. All UT did was swap Aguilar for Nico. 1 for 1 trade, no backsies. I think the original plan was to work with Nico, keep developing the other guys, and see how this year shook out with respect to QB play - it's just that Aguilar took Nico's place in the scheme. I think the rest of the QB room could accept that, since it was the plan and Aguilar's a one shot deal, but if you go out AGAIN and recruit over them ... ¯\_(ツ)_/¯.
Click to expand...
If NIL and the portal stays the same. TN wouldn't be the only ones head hunting. It may get to the point you go after QBs with playing experience, some talent at QB and 1 or 2 yrs of eligibility left instead going after the ones out of HS and instead go after players in HS that can possible contribute day 1 like Sanders
Could wind up Mr 5* QB heres your millions in NIL, you'll be sitting 2yrs to learn, year 3 you get the chance to show what you got. If it don't work out expect someone to jump over you.
Players are making some real money now out of HS and don't have the contracts that NFL has to keep a player in place. So I see it eventually wind up like how I described
 
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#22
#22
IF we do bring in a transfer QB and it seems like we would if Merk transfers...what Aguilar is doing in this offense with only a few months to prepare should make it very appealing to other experienced QBs looking for a new home. Want big stats, exposure and playing in front of 100k fans in huge games? We got you!
 
#23
#23
FBtime said:
IF we do bring in a transfer QB and it seems like we would if Merk transfers...what Aguilar is doing in this offense with only a few months to prepare should make it very appealing to other experienced QBs looking for a new home. Want big stats, exposure and playing in front of 100k fans in huge games? We got you!
Click to expand...

The portal has exposed college football offenses as not that difficult to understand and grasp, otherwise you wouldn’t see guys have success with plug and play like Aguilar. Offenses are successful because of talent and playcalling, not the system
 
#24
#24
FBtime said:
IF we do bring in a transfer QB and it seems like we would if Merk transfers...what Aguilar is doing in this offense with only a few months to prepare should make it very appealing to other experienced QBs looking for a new home. Want big stats, exposure and playing in front of 100k fans in huge games? We got you!
Click to expand...
To add to your point....Hooker and Milton also transferred in after unremarkable careers, and had terrific success...Hooker with a Heisman-worthy season, Milton looking promising in NFL.
 
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#25
#25
Voltopia said:
The line of succession for 2026 is crystal clear. Merklinger up next, unless Merklinger really struggles and Macintyre can unseat him, with Brandon spending his first year getting acclimated with the system. If the staff gets a reputation for going out and headhunting senior QBs to transfer in and take the starting job away each year, why on earth would any QB sign with Tennessee out of high school?

What happened with Aguilar has worked out great for UT, but it was a stroke of dumb luck that Aguilar was on the other end of Iamaleava's transfer out. All UT did was swap Aguilar for Nico. 1 for 1 trade, no backsies. I think the original plan was to work with Nico, keep developing the other guys, and see how this year shook out with respect to QB play - it's just that Aguilar took Nico's place in the scheme. I think the rest of the QB room could accept that, since it was the plan and Aguilar's a one shot deal, but if you go out AGAIN and recruit over them ... ¯\_(ツ)_/¯.
Click to expand...
Gmac was better than Merk when he walked on campus
 
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