Tennessee football is heading into a pivotal offseason, and the biggest storyline revolves around the quarterback position. Joey Aguilar, who started under center for the Vols last season, is currently out of eligibility.
But he’s not done fighting. Aguilar is pursuing an additional year through a lawsuit against the NCAA, aiming to suit up for a sixth season - not eighth, as some early reports suggested.
He’s already logged two years at the junior college level, two at Appalachian State, and one at Tennessee.
While the odds of Aguilar winning that case remain uncertain, Pro Football Focus went ahead and projected Tennessee’s 2026 outlook with him at the helm. In their way-too-early top 25 rankings, the Vols landed at No. 19 - and Aguilar’s potential return played a big role in that placement.
PFF didn’t hold back in their praise, labeling Aguilar a top-10 quarterback in the country if he's cleared to play. The numbers back that up - he posted a stellar 90.5 PFF grade last season, showcasing elite decision-making and command of the offense. His return would give Tennessee an experienced, steady hand at the most important position on the field.
But if Aguilar’s appeal falls short, Tennessee will be looking at a wide-open quarterback competition. Three names are in the mix: redshirt freshman George MacIntyre, five-star newcomer Faizon Brandon, and Ryan Staub, a redshirt junior transfer from Colorado. Each brings a different skill set to the table - MacIntyre with his developmental upside, Brandon with the raw talent and athleticism that made him a top recruit, and Staub with valuable experience from his time in Boulder.
Whoever wins the job will be stepping into a pretty favorable situation offensively. The Vols return a strong supporting cast, headlined by Braylon Staley, the reigning SEC Freshman of the Year, who will hold down the slot receiver role.
Mike Matthews is back as well, and while the third receiver spot is still up for grabs, there’s no shortage of intriguing options in the mix. Tight end Ethan Davis returns to provide a reliable target over the middle, and the offensive line is in good shape, with four of five starters returning to anchor the unit.
On the other side of the ball, Tennessee is undergoing a significant transformation. The Vols brought in Jim Knowles as their new defensive coordinator, and he’s wasted no time reshaping the unit through the transfer portal.
Four of his additions come directly from Penn State - edge defender Chaz Coleman, safety Dejuan Lane, linebacker Amare Campbell, and defensive lineman Xavier Gilliam. Coleman, in particular, is expected to make an immediate impact off the edge, bringing both explosiveness and experience to a defense looking to take a major step forward.
With a retooled defense, a promising offensive core, and a quarterback situation that could swing dramatically depending on Aguilar’s eligibility battle, Tennessee enters 2026 as one of the more intriguing teams in the country. Whether they can live up to that No. 19 ranking - or climb even higher - will depend heavily on how things shake out under center. But one thing’s clear: the pieces are there for the Vols to make some noise.