Full Breakdown
Tennessee and USC Face Quarterback Battles Ahead of 2026 Season
3/18/2026, 12:32:28 AM
Tennessee's Open Quarterback Competition
As the University of Tennessee prepares for the 2026 football season, head coach Josh Heupel has emphasized an open competition for the starting quarterback position. This decision follows a challenging offseason where the Volunteers were unable to secure a premier quarterback from the transfer portal. Notable misses included Cincinnati transfer Brendan Sorsby, who opted for Texas Tech, and Arizona State transfer Sam Leavitt, who chose LSU. The only addition to the roster was Colorado transfer Ryan Staub, who joined on January 18.
Heupel has communicated to his quarterbacks—redshirt freshman George MacIntyre, five-star freshman Faizon Brandon, and Staub—that the competition is genuine and ongoing. He stated, “(The competition) is open,” reiterating this message as the team began spring practice on March 16. Heupel does not anticipate naming a starting quarterback during spring practice, allowing time for players to demonstrate their abilities before the season opener against Furman on September 5.
Evaluating the Contenders
MacIntyre, who has been with the team for a year, is expected to have an advantage due to his familiarity with the offensive system. Heupel noted that if MacIntyre can effectively showcase this understanding, he could take the lead in the competition. Conversely, Brandon, who is new to college football, is expected to face typical freshman challenges but has the potential to improve significantly throughout spring practice.
Staub, while possessing game experience from his time at Colorado, struggled during his tenure there. He has appeared in 12 games with two starts, accumulating 681 passing yards, four touchdowns, and four interceptions. His path to the starting role may depend on the performance of MacIntyre and Brandon, as Heupel has indicated that he will not ease the pressure on any of the quarterbacks despite their inexperience.
Official Statements & Responses
Heupel has expressed the importance of pushing the quarterbacks to learn and adapt quickly. He stated, “You have to push them in what they’re doing on the offensive side of the football,” highlighting the need for rigorous preparation as they approach the fall season.
Criticism & Opposition
Some analysts have raised concerns about the lack of experience among the current quarterback options. The combined collegiate snaps of Staub, MacIntyre, and Brandon total only 231, which is significantly lower than previous starters under Heupel, such as Hendon Hooker and Joe Milton. Critics argue that this inexperience could hinder the team's performance in the upcoming season.
USC's Quarterback Landscape
Meanwhile, at the University of Southern California, the quarterback situation is more settled with redshirt senior Jayden Maiava returning as the starter for the 2026 season. However, freshman Jonas Williams has emerged as a notable prospect during spring practice. Williams, who graduated early from Lincoln-Way East High School in Illinois, holds impressive high school records with 11,347 passing yards and 147 touchdowns.
Williams is competing for the backup position against veteran Sam Huard, who transferred to USC after a successful season at Cal Poly. Despite Huard's experience, Williams' strong early performances have positioned him as a key figure in USC's long-term plans.
What's Next
Both Tennessee and USC will continue to evaluate their quarterback situations throughout spring practice, with the potential for further roster changes as the season approaches. The outcomes of these competitions will significantly impact each team's strategy and performance in the 2026 season.
