When the Tennessee quarterback kicks off Week One against Furman, they will likely be either George MacIntyre or Faizon Brandon. Josh Heupel brought in Ryan Staub from Colorado, who posted 427 yards, three touchdowns, and four interceptions in four games last fall for the Buffaloes. The seasoned signal-caller came to Knoxville knowing that he'd likely be more of a veteran backup, and he's embraced that role so far, watching the competition between MacIntyre and Brandon unfold.
Tennessee offense could pivot on QB George MacIntyre after offseason muscle gain
As a result, Staub was not shy about praising the other two quarterbacks in the room. He first praised MacIntyre, calling him a great leader with all the intangibles, while also highlighting his arm talent and competitiveness. When talking about Brandon, Staub described him as a “freak of nature” with raw ability and intelligence to match.
Tennessee QB Ryan Staub describes where George MacIntyre and Faizon Brandon impress most.
— Paige Dauer (@PaigeDauerFDP) March 18, 2026
MacIntyre: "Strong arm, very accurate, he's decisive."
Brandon: "A freak of nature... He's got raw ability." pic.twitter.com/Rq4sDMbfOt
Ryan Staub likes what MacIntyre and Brandon bring to the table
It’s great to hear Staub praising the other quarterbacks. He likes what he sees from both, and with his close-up view, he probably has the best seat in the house to watch it all unfold. Even more importantly, it sounds like Staub really enjoys being in Knoxville, and even though it's very doubtful he's the starter, he is in the room bringing great vibes and pushing MacIntyre and Brandon to be the best versions of themselves. I can see Staub being a fan favorite moving forward. He is already the ultimate hype man for the Vols, and he's only been in Knoxville for a couple of months.
The quarterback competition at Tennessee will be pivotal, with Josh Heupel’s choice ultimately shaping the 2026 season. Even if the starter delivers an average performance, this Vols roster is strong enough to make a run at the college football playoff. Heupel won't name a quarterback until the fall, so we have plenty of time to see it unfold. The fun is just getting started.