Caitie McMekin/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK

Josh Heupel continues to be coy about Tennessee Vols' upcoming QB battle with recent decision, but it makes perfect sense

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Craig Smith | Last updated Jul 12, 2025 6:51 PM ET

The light at the end of the tunnel of the long college football offseason has distantly appeared, as the 2025 SEC Media Days takes place next week in Atlanta, Georgia from July 14-17.

The event is one where head coaches and players from all SEC teams meet with the media and hold interviews and press conferences to discuss the upcoming season. Typically, returning captains and/or veteran leaders are among the three players that each school sends to the event. Many schools send their quarterback with two other players.

However, the Vols aren't going that route this year. Per the SEC, Tennessee is sending TE Miles Kitselman, LB Arion Carter, and DL Bryson Eason to Atlanta with Josh Heupel.

Next week.

Atlanta
️ July 14-17

Attendees: https://t.co/IOataTi8GE #SECMD25 pic.twitter.com/WGzlSbXWHU
— Southeastern Conference (@SEC) July 8, 2025

On one hand, the choice of this trio makes a ton of sense. All three are returning players with a lot of respect from their peers and accomplished players so far for Tennessee. Kitselman has gotten a lot of preseason love as one of the top tight ends in the country heading into 2025, and Carter and Eason are key players on a Tennessee defense that fans hope can repeat their outstanding 2024 showing again this season.

Still, Joey Aguilar not being among the trio just reinforces that this will indeed be a true open quarterback battle this fall between him, Jake Merklinger, and George MacIntyre. Aguilar should be the frontrunner based on his experience, but there's no reason not to have a wide-open competition with an open mind and clean slate to evaluate the job.

Fall camp for Tennessee gets underway on July 30, exactly one month before the Vols and Syracuse get their respective seasons underway in Atlanta.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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