Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel speaks after the Orange & White spring game, Saturday, April 12, 2025. Caitie McMekin/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Who Will Lead the Vols? Tennessee’s Three-Man QB Battle Begins

Originally posted on Tennessee Volunteers on SI
By Josh Greer | Last updated Jul 12, 2025 12:00 PM ET

There may be no storyline bigger in Knoxville, or the SEC, heading into the 2025 college football season than Tennessee’s upcoming quarterback competition. The Vols enter fall camp without a clear starter for the first time in years, and the battle to replace Nico Iamaleava is set to define the program’s direction this season and beyond.

With preseason practice set to open on July 30, head coach Josh Heupel must navigate one of the most pivotal quarterback decisions of his Tennessee tenure. The contenders? A mix of experience, potential, and blue-chip pedigree.

Aguilar Arrives with Experience

The most experienced option in the quarterback race is Joey Aguilar, the former Appalachian State standout. He’s a proven college passer who racked up big numbers in yardage and touchdowns, but also drew criticism for a high number of interceptions. Still, Aguilar brings maturity, poise in the pocket, and valuable leadership to a Tennessee quarterback room that suddenly needs stability.

Merklinger: The Underdog with Upside

Jake Merklinger, a redshirt freshman and former four-star recruit from Georgia, has patiently waited his turn. Though he lacks game experience, those inside the program have praised his poise, arm strength, and grasp of the offense during spring practices.

Merklinger may not be the flashy name right now, but don’t count him out.

MacIntyre: The Future, Sooner Than Expected?

Enter George MacIntyre, Tennessee’s prized 2025 early enrollee and one of the highest-rated quarterback recruits in the nation. The Nashville native and four-star prospect has impressed with his size, mechanics, and football IQ.

At Brentwood Academy, MacIntyre ran an up-tempo attack that relied on quick passing. He also ran a pro-style offense that leaned on the run game. He ran different versions of a spread offense. He took snaps under center and in shotgun.

While conventional wisdom suggests MacIntyre may benefit from a year of development, the post-Nico reality has fast-tracked his trajectory. If he shines in fall camp and shows command of the playbook, it will be hard for Heupel to keep him off the field.

Life After Nico

The quarterback competition wouldn’t exist without the seismic offseason twist involving Nico Iamaleava, the former five-star starter who transferred to UCLA following a reported NIL compensation dispute. The unexpected departure left a void in both talent and leadership — and added a layer of urgency to this year’s QB race.

Iamaleava’s exit also reignited the ongoing national debate over NIL transparency and its effect on roster stability. For Tennessee, it’s not just about finding the next quarterback — it’s about reestablishing stability in a new era of college football.

What’s Next?

As July 30 approaches, all eyes in Knoxville will be on the practice field. Tennessee’s 2025 schedule is no cakewalk, with an early-season matchup against Georgia and a brutal SEC gauntlet awaiting. The Vols must find their guy — and fast.

Will it be Aguilar’s experience, Merklinger’s upside, or MacIntyre’s star potential that wins out? One thing is certain: The outcome of this quarterback competition could define not just the 2025 season, but Tennessee’s future for years to come.