With the transfer portal heating up and quarterback dominoes starting to fall, Tennessee finds itself in a bit of a holding pattern. The Volunteers could be in the market for a veteran signal-caller this offseason - but that hinges on how the legal situation surrounding Joey Aguilar unfolds. If Aguilar isn’t part of the plans moving forward, Tennessee’s quarterback room suddenly looks a lot thinner - and a lot younger - than ideal for SEC contention.
Jake Merklinger’s decision to enter the portal on Wednesday only adds to the uncertainty. That move potentially leaves Tennessee with just two scholarship quarterbacks: George MacIntyre, a highly touted freshman who’s yet to take a college snap, and Faizon Brandon, another true freshman. That’s a lot of talent, but not a lot of experience - and in the SEC, experience under center isn’t just a luxury, it’s a necessity.
That brings us to Brendan Sorsby, a name that’s been floated around Knoxville for a while now. The connection makes sense.
Sorsby has family ties to the area, and with Tennessee possibly looking for a plug-and-play veteran, the dots are easy to connect. On3’s Pete Nakos noted that Texas Tech is an early contender for Sorsby, but Tennessee and Indiana are also firmly in the mix.
And while Sorsby is reportedly weighing his NFL Draft options, a move to a program like Tennessee could offer the kind of spotlight and competition that might boost his stock even further.
Sorsby checks a lot of boxes for what Tennessee would want in a transfer QB. He’s got size - 6-foot-3, 225 pounds - and production to match.
Last season, he threw for 2,800 yards and 27 touchdowns, with just five interceptions. That kind of efficiency, paired with his mobility (580 rushing yards and nine rushing scores), makes him one of the more complete quarterbacks in the portal.
And it wasn’t a one-year flash, either - it was his second straight season topping 2,800 passing yards.
His background adds more intrigue. Sorsby began his college career at Indiana before the coaching change that brought in Curt Cignetti.
That history makes Indiana a logical destination if he wants to return to familiar territory. But Tennessee offers something different - a chance to step into a high-powered SEC offense with weapons, a passionate fanbase, and the opportunity to compete on one of college football’s biggest stages.
It’s worth noting that Tennessee hasn’t been linked to some of the other high-profile QBs in the portal this cycle - names like Sam Leavitt, DJ Lagway, or Dylan Raiola haven’t been associated with the Vols. That could be an indication of where the staff’s focus is. If Sorsby becomes available and interested, Tennessee could be a serious contender.
For now, it’s a waiting game. The Aguilar situation needs clarity, and Sorsby still has decisions to make. But if the stars align, Tennessee might have a veteran option with both the production and the pedigree to steady the ship - and potentially elevate it.