ESPN analyst drops strong statement on how attractive the Tennessee Vols will be to transfer quarterbacks

The Tennessee Vols will likely look to a quarterback from the transfer portal in January.

Zach Ragan — Tennessee Volunteers News Writer
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With redshirt freshman Jake Merklinger entering the transfer portal and Joey Aguilar unlikely to return in 2026, it’s reasonable to expect the Tennessee Vols to target a quarterback in the transfer portal this offseason.

It’s unclear, though, if Tennessee will target a top transfer quarterback or more of a depth option.

Tennessee will have two extremely talented, but young, quarterbacks on the roster next fall in rising redshirt freshman George MacIntyre and rising true freshman Faizon Brandon. We know Vols head coach Josh Heupel likes those two quarterbacks a lot, but does he think either is ready to compete in the SEC? That’s a question that Heupel has likely been pondering the last few days.

ESPN analyst drops quote on how attractive the Tennessee Vols will be to transfer quarterbacks

While we don’t know what caliber quarterback the Vols will target in the portal, we at least know that Tennessee will be an attractive destination for quarterbacks.

Heupel’s potent offense, mixed with a strong wide receiver group, and potentially all five starting offensive linemen returning in 2026 (depending on what left tackle Lance Heard decides about the NFL), should have Tennessee high on the list for transfer quarterbacks.

“The Tennessee Volunteers will likely be in the mix (for a transfer QB),” said ESPN’s Greg McElroy on Wednesday. “They’re always in the mix for high-profile offensive weaponry. And last year, they went out, and they had great success in going and getting a quality piece late in the process. Of course, Nico Iamaleava left, they went out, and they got Joey Aguilar. They did a really nice job in that scenario.

“So they’ve already proven that you can come to Tennessee [and] you can be one of the most productive quarterbacks in the SEC from a passing standpoint. It’s an offense that will feature your ability to throw the ball down the field — to push the ball down the field. [Tennessee is] going to take some of the pressure off of you with a great run game. And they’re going to be a place that, I think, a lot of people will be strongly considering trying to go to. Now, they do have quality depth. They have a couple of young quarterbacks on their roster that they very much like, but would they be willing to go out and potentially land a big dog in the portal this time around?”

Note: Jake Merklinger hadn’t yet entered the transfer portal at the time of McElroy’s comments.

Everyone is anxious to see what Heupel and his staff will do at the quarterback position. So far, most of the names connected to Tennessee are purely speculative.

But if the Vols target a big name, they should have a good chance of success — as long as they’re willing to pay big money.

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