George MacIntyre’s growth as Tennessee’s starting quarterback has become increasingly evident to those around him.
As the Volunteers prepare for their November schedule, wide receiver Braylon Staley and offensive lineman Nic Moore have noticed a change in MacIntyre. From his confidence, communication to even his leadership since taking over the starting role.
“He’s growing a lot,” Staley said Monday. “Obviously, you know, he took the role over. He’s been playing his butt off, but you know he’s grown a lot. He’s taking control of the offense now, being the leader that he’s supposed to be. You know he’s talking way more than I’ve seen, so it’s been really good to see him grow.”
For Staley, one of the most noticeable differences has been MacIntyre’s presence in the huddle.
“It’s been really good, especially on the field, because you know we get in the huddles a lot sometimes now, and it’s George just being loud, like he’s telling us what to do,” Staley said. “Like it’s real good being the huddle and you know hear a quarterback talking like that.”
Staley believes that increased communication stems from MacIntyre becoming more comfortable in his role.
“I think just it was confidence,” Staley said. “You know, he’s got his confidence back right now, and I think he’s doing really good with it. And you know, he needs to keep keep it up.”
That growing confidence has also been evident to Moore, who earned his own starting opportunity along the offensive line earlier this season.
“I think that I’ve seen George become very confident in what he’s doing,” Moore said. “In the first couple games that he’s played, he was just getting his feet set. Now I think that he’s been like really confident in what he’s doing. Like Bray was saying earlier, he’s like really been talking in the huddle, and it’s just flourishing as a good quarterback.”
Moore, who arrived at Tennessee in the same recruiting class as MacIntyre, said watching his teammate develop into a leader has been particularly rewarding.
“I think it’s nice to see, especially because he’s somebody that I came in with the same class, and just to see him have his opportunity and capitalize on it, and be confident enough to control the whole offense, know what everybody’s doing, and then give the play call,” Moore said.
“Like just seeing him take control of everything that needs to be taken care of is something that not everybody can do.”
MacIntyre’s development has extended beyond the field. Staley said the two have continued building their connection through time spent together away from football and additional film study.
The receiver said their preparation includes identifying defensive structures, disguised coverages, cornerback tendencies and safety alignments. Other Tennessee receivers have also joined those film sessions as the offense works to improve its execution.
“Just obviously hanging out with each other, going out to eat and stuff like that,” Staley said. “You know, coming back and watching film and stuff like that. But that’s what we do a lot.”
The additional preparation comes at an important point in Tennessee’s season. The Volunteers are looking to eliminate self-inflicted mistakes after penalties and alignment issues disrupted several offensive opportunities against South Carolina.
With Kentucky next on the schedule, Tennessee will need its offense operating efficiently against a disciplined opponent.
For MacIntyre, the challenge is continuing to translate his growing confidence and command into execution on game day. According to Staley and Moore, the sophomore has already made significant strides in becoming the leader Tennessee needs under center.
