Tennessee football has no option but to move on from star QB Joey Aguilar, who was denied an extra year of eligibility. For the second straight season, head coach Josh Heupel will have to choose a new starting quarterback. However, Volunteers’ offensive coordinator Joey Halzle was all praise for the candidates next in line, especially when it comes to their ability to read situations.

“That’s big,” Halzle said of Josh Heupel’s appreciation for George MacIntyre and Faizon Brandon’s ability to anticipate windows down the field. “Them being able to anticipate, understanding coverage, understanding their protection, allowing them to do that, and then put the ball into windows on time. They both have that trait, which is really exciting for us because it’s something that says, ‘Man, this young guy, he has a chance to really play for us because he’s not waiting all the time.’”

When it comes to making downfield throws, MacIntyre has reportedly impressed coaches. He anticipates the window before it even exists, which is also something that Joey Aguilar used to do. The flashes are there, but MacIntyre’s still leveling up. At the same time, he is also raising doubts because of his size. Rookie Faizon Brandon, on the other hand, needed a little dusting on his downfield throwing ability, according to recruiting scout Andrew Ivins.

But based on Heupel and Halzle’s comments, it looks like these two will soon be able to attack defenses with big plays, that too at a quick pace. Tennessee’s offensive identity is fast and extremely powerful, which is why both MacIntyre and Brandon will need to develop on both fronts.

MacIntyre is expected to be the starter this fall because of his seniority, having been with Tennessee since 2025. He played only two games last season and passed for 69 yards, landing 7 of his 9 passing attempts. Faizon Brandon on the other hand, can emerge to be a starter, but he will have to work hard to outshine the older quarterbacks. Here’s what Josh Heupel said about the ongoing QB1 battle.

A QB1 for Tennessee might not be in the picture right after spring ball, according to Josh Heupel

The Volunteers were fortunate enough to land a quarterback like Aguilar, who came to Knoxville with very little time to prepare for the season. The QB1 race for this year isn’t as desperate as the previous one, and there is still a lot left to see from each quarterback. That’s why Josh Heupel wants this fight to play out until one candidate can separate himself from the others.

“Don’t expect a guy to be named here during the course of spring ball,” the head coach told the press. “I think it’s important that all the guys in that room learn and grow throughout the course of spring, also have a chance to go back in the summer months, digest it, reinstall, and come back a much better player and compete and earn it in front of their teammates as you get into training camp.”

Tennessee will be taking all its chances as it begins shaping the quarterback depth chart. Both MacIntyre and Brandon enter the season inexperienced, while Colorado transfer Ryan Staub will also be giving them some competition. We’ll have to wait and watch who trends for the QB1 role, and who gets to take the crown at the end.