Report confirms that the Tennessee Vols reached out to a Power-4 starting quarterback
Tennessee Vols head coach Josh Heupel told reporters after UT's spring game last weekend that the program will look for a quarterback in the transfer portal during the spring window in the wake of Nico Iamaleava's departure from Rocky Top. At the time, Heupel didn't reveal whether Tennessee will look for a quarterback that will […]
Tennessee Vols head coach Josh Heupel told reporters after UT's spring game last weekend that the program will look for a quarterback in the transfer portal during the spring window in the wake of Nico Iamaleava's departure from Rocky Top.
At the time, Heupel didn't reveal whether Tennessee will look for a quarterback that will compete for the starting job or if the Vols will look for a depth option to serve as a backup.
But thanks a report from The Athletic, we now know that Tennessee is open to adding a starting-caliber quarterback to the roster.
The Athletic reported that Tennessee reached out to TCU quarterback Josh Hoover this week.
Hoover, however, is staying put at TCU.
From The Athletic: Tennessee reached out to the representatives of TCU starting quarterback Josh Hoover, a source briefed on the discussions confirmed to The Athletic….Hoover rebuffed those overtures and is locked in with the Horned Frogs for 2025, the source said.
Hoover, a former three-star recruit from Rockwall, TX, passed for 3,949 yards and 27 touchdowns last season while also throwing 11 interceptions. Additionally, Hoover totaled four rushing touchdowns (though he doesn't appear to be a major threat in the running game, totaling -19 yards on the ground last season).
There's no guarantee that Tennessee will land a starting-caliber quarterback in the transfer portal, but the program's brief pursuit of Hoover indicates that UT is open to adding the type of player that would likely only transfer if guaranteed the starting job (which would push redshirt freshman quarterback Jake Merklinger into a backup role for the Vols).
It's not going to be easy for Tennessee to land a big-time quarterback in the spring window — post spring practice is not an ideal time for a quarterback to transfer — but the the Vols are taking some swings.
‘There’s more to this story than just money’ – Insider says Nico Iamaleava’s departure was related to Tennessee’s offensive style
There’s always more to the story
