‘The long ball would be all the way back’ – National analyst details perfect transfer QB fit for the Tennessee Vols
The Tennessee Vols are expected to pursue a quarterback in the NCAA transfer portal this offseason.
It won’t take long to see what the Tennessee Vols’ plan for the quarterback position will be in 2026 once the NCAA transfer portal opens next week.
If the Vols plan to pursue some of the top transfer options, those moves will need to happen fast once the portal opens on Jan. 2 — the competition for a top transfer quarterback will be fierce.
National analyst details the perfect transfer quarterback fit for Tennessee
On3’s JD PicKell suggested this week on the Hard Count that TCU transfer quarterback Josh Hoover would be an ideal fit for the Volunteers.
“When it comes to system fit and skillset fit, Josh Hoover at TCU intends to enter the transfer portal,” said PicKell. “There was some speculation about him maybe leaving TCU during the last portal cycle. And if he did leave TCU, Tennessee — when they were need of a transfer portal quarterback — would have made a lot of sense, should they have been in the market at that point in time for Josh Hoover.
“Josh Hoover, I think, would throw freaking bombs in Neyland,” added PicKell. “And the long ball would be all the way back with (Joey) Aguilar passing the torch to Hoover. The most fun fit, for me, is Hoover, getting the folks fired up on Rocky Top, and taking his talents to Neyland.”
Hoover would certainly make a lot of sense for Tennessee — specifically because he played under offensive coordinator Kendal Briles at TCU the last three seasons (Briles runs a similar offense as Josh Heupel and the Vols).
The one concern I’d have if I were Heupel is that Hoover isn’t much of a threat with his legs. The Texas native had just four rushing yards on 55 carries in 2025. Hoover is obviously a great quarterback even without being a rushing threat, but that’s one less weapon Tennessee would have to use.
Indiana is viewed as one of the top options for Hoover, so even if Tennessee is interested in the transfer quarterback, there’s no guarantee that he’ll land in Knoxville.
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