Josh Hoover is officially on the move. The TCU quarterback is set to enter the transfer portal this offseason, and with that, one of the more experienced arms in college football is now up for grabs. For teams still sorting out their quarterback situation heading into 2026, Hoover brings a compelling mix of production, experience, and upside-and yes, Tennessee might be one of those teams.
Let’s rewind for a second. This isn’t the first time Hoover’s name has been linked to the Volunteers.
Back in April, Tennessee made a quiet but aggressive push to lure him away from Fort Worth, reportedly dangling a seven-figure NIL package to make it happen. But at the time, the fit just wasn’t right.
Hoover would’ve had to learn a completely new system in a matter of months, with fall camp looming. That’s a tough ask for any quarterback, no matter how talented.
So he stayed put.
Fast forward to now, and the landscape has shifted. Tennessee’s quarterback room is in flux, with uncertainty stemming from the ongoing legal situation involving Joey Aguilar.
That opens the door-again-for Hoover to be a viable option in Knoxville. And this time, the timing might actually work.
Let’s talk about what Hoover brings to the table. Over the past two seasons, he’s thrown for a combined 7,421 yards-3,949 in 2024 and 3,472 in 2025.
That kind of production doesn’t just happen by accident. He’s a 6-foot-2, 200-pound signal-caller with 2.5 years of starting experience in the Big 12, and he’s been tested in high-pressure environments.
Hoover has accounted for 71 touchdown passes in that span, though he’s also tossed 31 interceptions. So while the arm talent is there, he’s not without his flaws-ball security being the biggest one.
Still, for a team looking for a plug-and-play veteran who can command an offense from day one, Hoover checks a lot of boxes. He’s not the flashiest name in the portal, but he’s proven he can produce at a high level. And with one year of eligibility left, he’s looking to maximize his value-on the field and in the NIL market.
Hoover came into college football as a 3-star recruit, ranked the No. 41 quarterback in the 2022 class by On3. But he’s outperformed that label by a wide margin. Now, he’s poised to cash in on that growth with one final stop before the NFL becomes a real conversation.
Tennessee isn’t the only team that could make a play here. Programs like Miami, Indiana, and Texas Tech are expected to be in the mix as the quarterback dominoes begin to fall. But if the Vols decide to get serious again-and if the timing and fit align this time around-don’t be surprised if they make another strong run at Hoover.
The portal is open, and one of the more experienced QBs in the country is officially in play. Let the bidding begin.