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Tennessee football: Brian Maurer in transfer portal not surprising or worrying

By Caleb Calhoun

FAYETTEVILLE, AR - NOVEMBER 7: Brian Maurer #18 of the Tennessee Volunteers warms up before a game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Razorback Stadium on November 7, 2020 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
FAYETTEVILLE, AR - NOVEMBER 7: Brian Maurer #18 of the Tennessee Volunteers warms up before a game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Razorback Stadium on November 7, 2020 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /
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After two years with Tennessee football, Brian Maurer is gone. He announced Thursday afternoon that he will enter the transfer portal, which comes amidst his absence from practices and a scrimmage over the past week.

Maurer is the second UT quarterback to enter the portal this offseason, following Kaidon Salter. However, Salter, a four-star dual-threat in the Vols’ 2021 class, was dismissed due to multiple off-the-field incidents.

Now, Tennessee football is down to three scholarship quarterbacks: Harrison Bailey, Virginia Tech Hokies graduate transfer Hendon Hooker and Michigan Wolverines transfer Joe Milton. Maurer announced his decision on Instagram.

Look, everybody should wish Maurer the best. He is a great kid who has lots of poise and moxy, something another team is bound to want. Taking those things into account, he’ll have some form of success if he goes to the right situation.

However, this should not be a concern or a surprise to Rocky Top. Maurer was always going to be the odd man out as Josh Heupel tries to find a new quarterback to fit his system. He just didn’t bring much extra to the table.

Bailey is the one pure pro-style passer in the offense with J.T. Shrout and Jarrett Guarantano gone and started two games last year. That was always going to be a huge advantage. Hooker is a dual-threat and the most experienced at running some form of a spread offense, having played for Justin Fuente the past few years.

Milton, meanwhile, is the one guy on the list Heupel targeted specifically. Heupel signed him after spring practice was almost over, and he actually recruited the guy when he was offensive coordinator of the Missouri TIgers.

As a result, Maurer would have had to beat out the one pro-style passers, the most experienced dual-threat passer and the one guy Heupel targeted. That was too tall of a task for the 6’3″ 205-pound graduate of West Port High School in Florida.

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In 12 games with Tennessee football over the past two years, Maurer had four starts and went 2-2 in those starts. He completed 37 of 81 passes (45.7 percent) for 550 yards, two touchdowns and five interceptions. He also had 28 carries for 97 yards and two touchdowns.

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