The biggest storyline this offseason for Tennessee was what Josh Heupel did with the quarterback position. Many fans wanted to get a transfer, as we assumed Joey Aguilar would be out of eligibility, but recent developments make his case much more valid than it felt like a month ago.
At the time, Tennessee went all in on the former Arizona State quarterback Sam Leavitt. They were right in the thick of it, but they eventually lost the talented signal-caller to former Vols head coach Lane Kiffin at LSU. This stung, as the Vols had really nowhere else to turn. Ty Simpson declared for the NFL Draft, and Beau Pribula committed to Virginia, leaving Heupel stranded.
Looking back on this a month later, maybe missing out on Leavitt wasn't so bad after all.
That perspective shifted even more this week, as On3's Shea Dixon is reporting that Sam Leavitt will throw this spring, but won't compete in any of the "team stuff" this spring.
New: Arizona State transfer QB Sam Leavitt signed with LSU.
— Shea Dixon (@Sheadixon) February 4, 2026
He's coming off an injury that cut short his 2025 season.
The latest injury update: Kiffin said he will "throw" and do "7-on-7", but probably not participate in "team stuff" this spring.
➡️: https://t.co/NQBvX5uk6S pic.twitter.com/9HyIEqVqAr
Sam Leavitt is effectively out for spring ball
With Leavitt expected to miss time this spring, it helps reframe things a bit. Spring practice is when quarterbacks really start to settle into a system and build rapport with their receivers and tight ends, and not having that opportunity would have made things challenging from the start.
Not to mention, having Joey Aguilar back next fall is looking increasingly likely as each day passes. He has a temporary restraining order right now, and he could get another year of eligibility, which is what Vols fans really wanted all along.
If Aguilar is able to come back, it would be the best-case scenario for Tennessee. He would have another year of experience in the scheme, and it would give both George MacIntyre and Faizon Brandon one more year to develop in the system before taking over next year.
Although he might not be a future NFL star, Aguilar is a very good quarterback. He led the SEC in yards last fall and was a very solid option for the Vols after losing Nico last spring. I would take year two Aguilar over one year of Leavitt, who is missing spring practice.
Only time will tell, but Tennessee may have gotten lucky missing out on Sam Leavitt.