Tennessee football is heading into transfer portal season with more questions than answers at the quarterback position - and the clock is ticking. Right now, the Vols are staring at a 2026 depth chart that’s thin on experience and heavy on potential.
Joey Aguilar’s status remains up in the air, and while there’s still a chance he returns, signs increasingly point toward him moving on. Meanwhile, 2025 backup Jake Merklinger is set to enter the portal, leaving Tennessee with two true freshmen: George McIntyre and Faizon Brandon.
That’s not exactly the kind of veteran presence you want under center in the SEC.
Josh Heupel made it clear in a Thursday press conference that if Aguilar doesn’t return, Tennessee will be aggressive in the portal. And they’ll need to be. The Vols’ high-octane offense isn’t built to break in a freshman quarterback - it thrives on rhythm, tempo, and a signal-caller who can process fast and throw faster.
Enter Josh Hoover.
The TCU quarterback announced he plans to enter the transfer portal in January, and he’s going to be one of the most coveted names on the market. According to ESPN, Hoover is projected to return in 2026 with more career passing yards (9,629) and touchdowns (71) than any other quarterback expected to be available. That’s not just production - that’s experience, leadership, and proven ability at the Power Five level.
Hoover’s 2025 season at TCU was impressive: 3,472 passing yards, a 66% completion rate, 29 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions. He operated an up-tempo, air-raid system and showed he can make reads quickly and deliver the ball accurately. That’s a strong match for what Heupel asks of his quarterbacks in Knoxville.
Is Hoover a dual-threat guy? Not really.
His mobility isn’t going to scare defenses, but that’s not a deal-breaker in this system. Heupel has shown he can tailor the scheme to fit his quarterback’s strengths, and Hoover’s arm talent and football IQ more than make up for a lack of elite speed.
There’s also some history here. Tennessee was loosely linked to Hoover back when the Nico Iamaleava situation caused some turbulence last spring. That connection suggests the coaching staff has had eyes on him before - and probably hasn’t stopped watching.
If Hoover were to land in Knoxville, he’d bring 36 games of experience and a résumé that instantly raises the floor for the Vols’ offense. More importantly, he’d give Tennessee a reliable bridge to the future - a one-year starter who can keep the Vols competitive in 2026 while McIntyre and Brandon continue to develop.
It’s the kind of move that could stabilize the quarterback room and keep Tennessee in the SEC mix. Don’t be surprised if the Vols make a serious push.
Hoover checks a lot of boxes for what they need right now: leadership, production, and a calm hand in a high-speed system. If Aguilar moves on, Tennessee’s next quarterback might just be coming from Fort Worth.