After a month of quarterback uncertainty, Tennessee has found its man in the transfer portal. Former Colorado quarterback Ryan Staub is heading to Knoxville, giving the Volunteers a new name in the mix as they look to reset under center heading into the 2026 season.
Staub, a redshirt sophomore, saw limited action last season but showed flashes of potential. He completed 30 of 55 passes for 427 yards, with three touchdowns and four interceptions across five games.
His lone start came in a 36-20 loss to Houston, where he went 19-for-35 for 204 yards, a touchdown, and two picks. Not eye-popping numbers, but enough to suggest there's something to work with-especially in a system that’s looking to retool and reestablish its offensive identity.
Coming out of Stevenson Ranch, California, Staub was a three-star recruit in the 2023 class, with offers from programs like SMU, Arizona, Fresno State, and South Florida before landing at Colorado. Now, he gets a fresh start in the SEC, where opportunity and pressure go hand in hand.
Tennessee’s quarterback situation is layered. Joey Aguilar was the starter in 2025, throwing for 3,565 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 different outings. Solid numbers, and his experience was a stabilizing force for the Vols.
There's still a possibility Aguilar could return in 2026, depending on the outcome of Diego Pavia’s lawsuit against the NCAA, which could open the door for an extra year of eligibility. But that remains a big “if.”
Looking ahead, the Vols have two high-upside talents already in the quarterback room. Redshirt freshman George MacIntyre is expected to compete for the job, and five-star freshman Faizon Brandon-ranked as the No. 2 quarterback in the class by 247Sports-is arriving with plenty of hype. If Aguilar doesn’t return, the quarterback competition becomes wide open, and Staub enters with just enough experience to make things interesting.
The Vols are trying to bounce back after a disappointing 2025 season. Following a 10-3 campaign in 2024 that included a trip to the College Football Playoff, Tennessee slid to 8-5 and just 4-4 in SEC play.
They went winless against ranked opponents and closed the regular season with a tough 45-24 loss to in-state rival Vanderbilt. The season ended with a narrow 30-28 loss to Illinois in the Music City Bowl-hardly the finish Tennessee fans were hoping for.
So what does Staub’s commitment mean? It gives Tennessee another option, another arm, and maybe even a spark.
He’s not walking in as the presumed starter, but he’s got a shot to compete. And in a quarterback room full of youth and potential, a little experience can go a long way.
The Vols are still searching for their next offensive leader. Whether it’s Staub, MacIntyre, Brandon, or a returning Aguilar, the 2026 season will hinge on who steps up and takes the reins. One thing’s for sure-Tennessee isn’t standing still.