Tennessee football: Five reasons Vol fans can stomach Arch Manning to Texas

1. Josh Heupel has already loaded the Vols up at quarterback.

With or without Arch Manning, Tennessee football is fine at quarterback going forward. Even after they lose Hendon Hooker going into 2023, Josh Heupel has set them up to find their guy of the future, and they have multiple options to choose from.

In the same class as Arch Manning is Nico Iamaleava. He is a five-star on every service except ESPN, where he is a four-star, and like Manning, he’s a pro-style quarterback who has enough mobility to attract offensive coaches running any system. He’s also about an inch taller than Manning, so there is plenty he brings to the table.

Already in the system, though, is Tayven Jackson, who is a four-star across the board and was Heupel’s first high-profile commitment at quarterback. He took part in spring practice this year, and you can bet he’ll be in the race to start at quarterback next year.

While Jackson and Iamaleava make for a great race to be the Vols’ quarterback of the future, Heupel will also have his veteran option in Joe Milton III, who will have another year of eligibility after this one. Also, he does have one legacy player in the room, as Appalachian State Mountaineers transfer Navy Shuler, the son of Heath Shuler, is there.

Taking all this into account combined with Heupel’s ability to develop quarterbacks, Tennessee football is fine there. They may not be done adding talent either, and while Manning would have been the best of that talent, they’ll be just fine with who they have.