Tennessee’s quarterback competition is officially underway.
The Volunteers opened spring practice Monday morning with the starting job up for grabs.
“It is open,” head coach Josh Heupel said.
Heupel does not expect to name a starter during the 15 spring practices. Instead, the focus is development and growth.
“I think it’s important that all the guys in that room learn and grow throughout the course of spring,” Heupel said.
A young quarterback room
Tennessee’s quarterback room includes five-star freshman Faizon Brandon, returning quarterback George MacIntyre, transfer Ryan Staub, and redshirt freshman Mason Phillips.
MacIntyre enters the spring with the most experience in Tennessee’s system.
“George obviously has more time on task with the general basis of what we’re doing,” Heupel said.
Brandon arrived in Knoxville as one of the nation’s top quarterback recruits.
Traits Tennessee likes early
Heupel said Brandon and MacIntyre both showed encouraging traits early in spring practice.
“Both those guys are quick-minded,” Heupel said. “They grasp what we’re doing extremely well.”
He also pointed to their ability to deliver the ball and stretch the field vertically.
“They both have the ability to be accurate with the football,” Heupel said. “Strong enough arm to extend the field vertically. I think they anticipate windows extremely well over the middle of the football field.”
Still, the Tennessee coach said all of the quarterbacks have room to grow.
“Fundamentally for both of them there’s still a bunch of growth out there, for Ryan as well,” he said.
Learning curve during spring practice
Quarterbacks must control much more than the passing game in Tennessee’s offense. Heupel said the position requires understanding protections, run checks, and defensive structures.
The adjustment can be difficult early in spring camp. Younger players often need time to process the speed of college defenses.
The biggest takeaway for Heupel so far is that the quarterbacks must continue improving with each repetition.
“What you want to see is them not making the same mistake twice,” Heupel said. “Constant growth in what they’re doing and how they’re controlling things at the quarterback position.”
MacIntyre’s added experience in the system could give him an early foundation as the competition continues through spring and into fall camp.
