After a stretch of uncertainty at the quarterback position, Tennessee has found its guy. Former Colorado QB Ryan Staub is heading to Knoxville via the transfer portal, giving the Volunteers a new arm to add to their evolving quarterback room.
Staub, a redshirt sophomore, saw limited action last season but showed flashes of potential. He completed 30 of 55 passes for 427 yards, three touchdowns, and four interceptions across five games.
His lone start came in a 36-20 loss to Houston, where he went 19-of-35 for 204 yards, a touchdown, and two picks. While the numbers don't jump off the page, Staub brings experience and a live arm - and more importantly, he brings competition.
Tennessee had been casting a wide net in the portal, hosting several signal-callers including Sam Leavitt (Arizona State) and Beau Pribula (Missouri). In the end, Staub was the one who fit the Vols' plans, and now he enters a quarterback room that’s as intriguing as it is unsettled.
Let’s talk about that room. The 2025 season belonged to Joey Aguilar, who put up a strong campaign with 3,565 passing yards, 24 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions over 13 games.
His 274.2 passing yards per game led the SEC, and he topped 300 yards in four separate outings. There’s still a possibility Aguilar could return for another season, depending on the outcome of Diego Pavia’s lawsuit against the NCAA - a situation that remains in limbo.
If Aguilar doesn’t return, the Vols will be leaning on youth. Redshirt freshman George MacIntyre and five-star newcomer Faizon Brandon headline the 2026 depth chart.
Brandon, ranked as the No. 2 quarterback in his class by 247Sports, brings elite pedigree and big-time upside. But as talented as he is, jumping from high school to SEC defenses is no small leap.
That’s where Staub becomes valuable - a steadying presence who can compete for the job or provide depth if the young guns aren’t ready just yet.
The bigger picture here is that Tennessee is trying to regain its footing after a disappointing 2025 season. Following a 10-3 run and a College Football Playoff appearance in 2024, the Vols regressed to 8-5, including a 4-4 mark in SEC play.
The team went winless against ranked opponents (0-4) and closed the regular season with a stinging 45-24 loss to Vanderbilt. The year ended with another tough blow - a 30-28 loss to Illinois in the Music City Bowl.
So, what does Staub’s arrival mean? It’s not a headline-grabbing move, but it’s a smart one.
He adds depth, experience, and competition - all things this quarterback room needs as Tennessee tries to regroup and reload. With uncertainty surrounding Aguilar’s eligibility and two young quarterbacks waiting in the wings, Staub gives the Vols a bridge option.
Whether he becomes the starter or not, his presence raises the floor of the position group.
Tennessee’s quarterback battle in 2026 is shaping up to be one of the more fascinating storylines in the SEC. And now, with Staub in the mix, the Vols have another piece in place as they look to bounce back and reassert themselves in the conference race.