Josh Heupel saw a quarterback who was decisive with the football. Tennessee’s receivers saw someone willing to trust them to make plays.
And inside the huddle, the Vols noticed something else about George MacIntyre during his first career start against Arkansas.
His confidence was becoming contagious.
“He’s definitely taking a step, being more vocal in the huddle,” tight end Trent Thomas said Monday. “Portraying confidence to not only himself but for everyone around him.”
MacIntyre’s performance gave Tennessee plenty to build on heading into Saturday’s rivalry matchup against Alabama.
But what stood out to his teammates wasn’t limited to the throws he completed.
Confidence in the pocket and trust downfield
After reviewing Saturday’s film, Heupel praised MacIntyre’s decision-making and ability to operate under pressure.
“I thought he was decisive with the football,” Heupel said.
The head coach highlighted a third-down play in which MacIntyre avoided a defender while keeping his eyes downfield.
It was a moment that resonated with his teammates.
“I was very impressed with George and his presence in the pocket,” Thomas said. “His confidence to be able to stand in there, take some of the hits that he did, and still be able to deliver the ball was great to see.”
Wide receiver Braylon Staley also praised MacIntyre’s willingness to give receivers opportunities in one-on-one coverage.
That included a deep completion to Staley that was overturned after he was ruled out of bounds.
“Loved it,” Staley said. “Just him being able to trust us in one-on-one situations, being able to throw the ball up, knowing that we could be able to come down.”
Staley believes even one successful deep throw can change how a defense approaches Tennessee’s offense.
“I think one deep ball can change the way a defense plays against us,” Staley said.
A bigger test awaits against Alabama
Despite the positive reviews, Heupel emphasized that Tennessee’s offense still has plenty to clean up.
Missed assignments and penalties repeatedly put the Vols in difficult situations against Arkansas. Heupel also acknowledged missed opportunities downfield.
Those mistakes become more costly against an Alabama defense Heupel described as physical up front and active at the second level.
Still, MacIntyre’s first start offered encouraging signs beyond the box score.
He showed his teammates he could command the huddle, stand tall in the pocket, and trust them to make plays.
Now comes the challenge of doing it again against one of Tennessee’s biggest rivals.
