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Tennessee football: Ranking position groups in Vols’ 2022 recruiting class with grades

By Caleb Calhoun

KNOXVILLE, TN - OCTOBER 11: Detailed view of the checkered endzone at Neyland Stadium during a game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the Chattanooga Mocs on October 11, 2014 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Tennessee won the game 45-10. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TN - OCTOBER 11: Detailed view of the checkered endzone at Neyland Stadium during a game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the Chattanooga Mocs on October 11, 2014 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Tennessee won the game 45-10. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /
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Center Grove Trojans Tayven Jackson (2) searches to throw the ball during a preseason scrimmage at Brownsburg High School, Brownsburg, Ind., Friday, August 14, 2020.Center Grove Vs Brownsburg Scrimmage 2020
Center Grove Trojans Tayven Jackson (2) searches to throw the ball during a preseason scrimmage at Brownsburg High School, Brownsburg, Ind., Friday, August 14, 2020.Center Grove Vs Brownsburg Scrimmage 2020 /

2. Quarterback: A

Hendon Hooker is back for Tennessee football next year at quarterback. Joe Milton III appears as if he will return to be the backup. Navy Shuler was added in the transfer portal. With Brian Maurer and Harrison Bailey entering the transfer portal midseason, Josh Heupel only needed to add one quarterback to have the same number he started fall camp with last year.

Well, he did just that and addressed the Vols’ future in the process. Before ever naming a starter in 2021, Heupel secured a commitment from four-star dual-threat quarterback Tayven Jackson. All signs point to him being the future of UT once Hooker leaves.

What’s clear, though, is with Jackson, Heupel has solid competition for the No. 2 quarterback behind Milton this year, and he’s already got a solid race the next year to see who will be the starter. Even if Jackson isn’t ready by that point, the job could go to Milton, who Heupel wanted initially, and he could then have a Milton-Shuler race in 2024.

To be sure of depth, Heupel at this point doesn’t have to add another quarterback until then. Jackson may be just one commitment, but he’s all Tennessee football needed, and he’s a four-star across the board. As a result, he makes this an A grade.

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