With two weeks to go until the start of the 2025 season, the Tennessee Vols' starting quarterback battle is nearing its conclusion.
UCLA transfer Joey Aguilar, redshirt freshman Jake Merklinger, and true freshman George MacIntyre are competing for the Vols' staring quarterback job.
Recent reports have indicated that MacIntyre, despite receiving some extremely positive reviews for his performance during fall camp, is running third in the battle to Aguilar and Merklinger.
Vols head coach Josh Heupel spoke to reporters on Friday, and while he didn't confirm where the quarterback battle stands, his comments suggested that MacIntyre is indeed behind Aguilar and Merklinger.
Heupel was asked by a reporter about his thoughts on how the quarterbacks played in Tennessee's second fall scrimmage.
The fifth-year Tennessee head coach singled out Aguilar and Merklinger before mentioning MacIntyre.
"I thought both of them handled themselves extremely well," said Heupel. "George did as well. I thought they’ve taken strides during the last three practices, before we got inside of the stadium for today’s scrimmage."
I’m not sure if that was a slip from Heupel or if he was sending a message that the battle is down to Aguilar and Merklinger. Either way, it’s clear he’s grouping those two differently than MacIntyre.
Aguilar, by the way, is viewed as the overwhelming favorite to win the starting job for week one against Syracuse.
Tennessee is trending towards naming UCLA transfer Joey Aguilar as its starting quarterback, @PeteNakos_ reports
— On3 (@On3sports) August 13, 2025
Intel: https://t.co/aX7EZnnDqC pic.twitter.com/ZA2QuzpnmT
MacIntyre, despite his standing in the battle, is a player that Tennessee is very high on. But he's still a bit young, and he still needs to add some weight to his frame.
“I think it’s an upset if George is starting early in the year," said VolQuest's Brent Hubbs during an appearance on 104.5 The Zone’s Ramon and Will on Friday. "I think we all would agree that that’s likely the case. I don’t think you’re going to put him out there against Syracuse to start the season. Where are they in the backup role? How do they divvy up the reps starting next week between, you know, who’s the number two and then who’s the number three? How does that happen and how much does George continue to improve throughout the fall? I think there’s a lot of people really happy George MacIntyre is wearing orange and where he’s at in his progression as a quarterback right now.”
MacIntyre has a chance to be a really good player for the Volunteers. But Tennessee isn't rushing his development. His time will come when it comes. That could be at some point in 2025, but unless there are a couple of injuries, it won't be to start the season.
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