Tennessee football is heading into the 2026 season with one of the most pivotal questions in college football: who’s going to be under center for the Vols?
With Joey Aguilar currently out of eligibility under the existing NCAA rules, Josh Heupel and his staff are weighing their options. That includes in-house talent like second-year quarterback George MacIntyre and true freshman Faizon Brandon, but the transfer portal remains a very real-and very viable-option.
If Tennessee does decide to dip into the portal, it won’t be for just any quarterback. The Vols are in a position to make a strong pitch to some of the top signal-callers on the move.
The program is coming off a productive season, they’ve got plenty of offensive pieces returning, and thanks to a healthy NIL fund, there’s a competitive financial package in play as well. Add in the numbers Aguilar just posted in Heupel’s system, and the opportunity is clear: this is a quarterback-friendly environment with a real chance to win.
One name to keep an eye on is Rocco Becht, Iowa State’s starter who’s expected to enter the portal in January. Becht just wrapped up his fourth season in Ames and has one year of eligibility left. While his 2025 campaign saw a dip in production-he completed 60.5% of his passes for 2,584 yards, 16 touchdowns, and nine interceptions-he’s still a proven Power Five starter with big-game experience.
The early buzz suggests Penn State could be the frontrunner for Becht, and there’s a clear reason why: Matt Campbell, his head coach at Iowa State, just took over the reins in Happy Valley. A reunion in State College would make a lot of sense, both schematically and personally.
But Tennessee isn’t exactly a new player in Becht’s story. When Nico Iamaleava transferred to UCLA earlier this year, Becht was briefly linked to the Vols.
He ultimately stayed put at Iowa State, and Tennessee pivoted to Aguilar. Now, with the quarterback carousel spinning again, the Vols could circle back.
Beyond Becht, there are a few other names already in the portal who could fit Tennessee’s system. Arizona State’s Sam Leavitt, Cincinnati’s Brendan Sorsby, and TCU’s Josh Hoover all bring different strengths to the table and could be intriguing options depending on how the board shakes out in January.
For Heupel and Tennessee, this isn’t just about plugging a hole-it’s about finding the right quarterback to lead a team that’s built to compete right now. With the roster returning talent and the offensive scheme proven to elevate QBs, the Vols are in a strong position to attract a top-tier transfer. The only question is: who’s ready to step into the spotlight on Rocky Top?