Now what for the Tennessee Vols? People are still trying to come to terms with the fact that star quarterback Nico Iamaleava has left the program and he'll be suiting up for a new team next season. This all happened so fast and in head-turning fashion.
There's no time to waste for Josh Heupel and the Vols, however, as this team is still built for a ton of success in 2025. For now, second-year freshman Jake Merklinger is the team's starting quarterback. However, with the spring transfer portal opening up in a few days, might Tennessee bring in a new arm to compete for the starting job?
That's going to be the case. With Iamaleava gone, there are currently only two scholarship QBs on the roster: Merklinger and true freshman George MacIntyre, who just graduated high school early and participated in his first spring camp. Heupel didn't hesitate in saying the Vols will be shopping once the portal opens up on April 16.
Josh Heupel confirms Tennessee will add a quarterback through the transfer portal.
— Adam Sparks (@AdamSparks) April 12, 2025
"With only two scholarship (QBs), gonna have to find another guy."
Fans are hoping Tennessee will make a splash at QB with Nico Iamaleava transferring
The question now becomes who will the Vols and Heupel go after? As things stand, there aren't any big-name players who are expected to be available next week - other than Iamaleava of course. However, there's buzz that there may be a surprise or two on the way at the position.
The fact of the matter here is that Heupel and Tennessee have the resources to bring in the kind of player who can immediately help this team push for a return trip to the College Football Playoff. We don't want to speculate on who might end up transferring, but there's a playmaker in the Big 12 who plenty of UT fans have their eyes on early.
Who knows, Heupel could end up rocking with Merklinger, who signed with Tennessee in 2024 ranked as the No. 11 quarterback in the country. We'll of course have more clarity on the QB1 job in a few weeks, but what we do know is that Iamaleava has played his final snap with the Vols and he himself will be looking for a new home.