Tennessee’s quarterback battle is still alive, and Josh Heupel isn’t in a rush to slam the door on it.
Back at Neyland Stadium on Saturday for its second preseason scrimmage, the Vols kept pushing George MacIntyre and Faizon Brandon through another key test with the 2026 opener against Furman two weeks away. The work lasted a little more than two hours on a sunny, muggy morning and included live tackling and thud periods, giving Tennessee another look at two young quarterbacks the staff has leaned into all camp.
Heupel didn’t get deep into the specifics of how either one looked, but he did like the direction the competition has taken overall.
“Throughout the course of the last week, since Scrimmage 1, I thought they did a really good job taking care of the football, handling decision-making, controlling what we’re doing offensively,” Heupel said. “Today, there were some real positives, some things that they’re going to learn from too, so I’m excited to go back and watch the tape here with them.”
That first scrimmage already offered a glimpse of Brandon’s arm talent, with the freshman creating multiple explosive downfield pass plays. Heupel said the big-play element has been a strong part of the story for both quarterbacks, not just one.
“I feel like over the course of the two scrimmages, it’s been really positive,” Heupel said. “During the course of practice, it’s been extremely positive.
Today we were able to hit a couple of them. All parts of it have got to be tied together, too.
The route, the coverage, and then the protection piece of it, too.”
Still, Saturday wasn’t spotless. Heupel said it was “not our best day” when it came to the quarterbacks operating cleanly and staying away from pre-snap penalty, though he also pointed to “some moving pieces” at other offensive spots that fed into some of those issues.
“We’ve still got ground that we’ve got to continue to chew up here before we get to kickoff,” Heupel said.
One of the more interesting parts of this competition is how Tennessee is evaluating Brandon’s athletic ability while he’s in a red jersey and not truly live. Heupel said the staff can still learn plenty without full contact.
“No, they’re not live,” Heupel said. “They’re protected in that way, but you can see their ability to manipulate and work in the pocket.
You can see their ball security in the pocket, out of the pocket. Extended plays, you get a chance to see their decision-making down the field.
If it’s not open, their ability to tuck it and gain positive yards and put you in the right situation.
“It’s not realistic in game day as far as the tackle being made, but you can see all those other things before you get to game day.”
The timeline for naming a starter remains flexible. Tennessee named Joey Aguilar its starter after the second scrimmage a year ago, heading into mock game week.
But Heupel has also waited until much later before making that call - including in Tennessee’s first quarterback competition under him, when Joe Milton III wasn’t named the starter until the Monday before a Thursday night opener. He also held off in 2019 at UCF, when he announced Notre Dame transfer Brandon Wimbush would start and freshman Dillon Gabriel would play in the opener against Florida A&M, an FCS opponent like Furman.
“You evaluate where they’re at, who’s earned it and what you think is best holistically for that position group in the build-up and the football team,” Heupel said.
And as for whether there’s a real edge to naming a starter two weeks out instead of one? Heupel wasn’t buying the idea that it changes everything.
“I don’t know if there’s any advantage necessarily,” he said. “Time on task, timing with the wide receivers, tight ends - that type of thing - can be an advantage. Those guys have both got a bunch of work with that first group.”
In Other News...
Joey Aguilar Is Making Jacksonville Face A Tough Roster Decision
Joey Aguilar has turned a quiet preseason opportunity into a real roster storyline in Jacksonville. The undrafted rookie quarterback, who led the SEC in passing yards last season at Tennessee before going unselected in the draft, has made the most of his snaps with the Jaguars and given the coaching staff something to weigh as roster decisions draw closer.
Through two preseason games, Aguilar has completed 10 of 11 passes for 173 yards and a touchdown, a start that keeps him firmly in the mix. He still has one more exhibition game to strengthen his case, and for a Jaguars team sorting out the back end of the quarterback room, his rise has made that final evaluation a tougher one. [Read more 🡒]
Former Vol Joey Aguilar Is Making A Real NFL Roster Push
Joey Aguilar is keeping himself in the NFL conversation, and Tennessee fans have a familiar name to watch as the preseason winds down. The former Vol quarterback turned in a sharp outing for the Jacksonville Jaguars against the Carolina Panthers, coming on in the second half and showing the kind of poise that can matter when teams are sorting out the back end of a roster.
Aguilar completed 9 of 10 passes for 130 yards and a touchdown, highlighted by a 29-yard scoring strike to rookie wide receiver Trebor Pea. For a quarterback trying to force his way onto the Jaguars' roster, it was the kind of efficient performance that gets attention in a crowded competition, even if the final call still has to be made. [Read more 🡒]
Tennessee Scrimmage Put One Key Vols Battle Back In Focus
Tennessees second fall scrimmage brought a little more clarity to a few spots and a little more intrigue to one of the deeper battles on the roster. As the Volunteers continue preparing for the 2026 opener against Furman, the secondary got a boost from newcomers TJ Metcalf and Dejuan Lane, who both stepped in for injured Edrees Farooq and came away with interceptions. It was the kind of showing that can matter in August, especially for a defense still sorting out how the pieces fit after camp.
Faizon Brandon also flashed the running ability that can add another layer to Tennessees offense, but the job still appears unsettled at right tackle. Ory Williams and Jesse Perry remain locked in a competition there, and it is the sort of battle that can quietly shape how smooth everything else looks once the season starts. For now, the Vols have a few encouraging signs and at least one starting-caliber decision still waiting to be made. [Read more 🡒]