Latest college football insider update adds fuel to fire for Tennessee to pursue notable SEC QB transfer
The week ahead could be a critical one for Tennessee’s 2026 season.
Josh Heupel and the Tennessee Vols are up against it in finding veteran help at the quarterback position in the transfer portal. With only George MacIntyre and 2026 five-star signee Faizon Brandon as quarterback candidates for next season, and Joey Aguilar’s ability to return unknown, Tennessee has been searching for an experienced signal caller in the portal.
The pressure could really be about to turn up on Heupel and his staff to find a solution. CBS Sports college football insider Matt Zenitz provided an update on Sunday morning that Aguilar’s chances of being granted an additional year of eligibility are considered unlikely per his sources.
It’s worth noting that we’re dealing with litigation, a judge, and the judicial system, so finding truly solid information as to what will happen is often a bit of an exercise in futility. However, there are really only two ultimate outcomes here. Either Aguilar gets that additional year, or he doesn’t. Ergo, it’s not too hard to go out on a limb.
In any event, Tennessee could get a better idea on Jan. 12, when the judge in the case has scheduled a conference call between the parties, per KnoxNews.com. That could give Aguilar and Tennessee some additional information regarding the likelihood of Aguilar’s success.
But if Aguilar’s claim is ultimately denied, then Tennessee could be forced to take an even harder look at an SEC starting quarterback they’ve been linked to for a visit.
Missouri QB Beau Pribula could become an attractive option if Joey Aguilar’s claim for additional eligibility is denied
Pribula previously spent two years at Penn State before moving on to Missouri for the 2025 season. He started 10 games for the Tigers this season, completing 67.4% of his passes for 1941 yards with 11 touchdowns and nine interceptions. He added 95 rushes for 297 yards and six touchdowns.
Those aren’t numbers that are going to wow many folks, and the Vols would surely love to land Arizona State’s Sam Leavitt out of the transfer portal and move on. However, Leavitt, who spent two days on a visit in Knoxville this week, has a number of deep-pocketed suitors who will make it tough for the Vols to land him.
As such, Pribula, who is on a trip to Virginia on Sunday, would be a reasonable fallback option to provide some competition and experience in a quarterback room that lacks both.
The week ahead should offer some answers for Tennessee, but they may not be ones that offer much pizzazz or excitement going into the 2026 offseason.
Tennessee Volunteers News
Tennessee’s latest transfer addition is already recruiting more talent to the Vols
The Tennessee Vols’ latest transfer addition is trying to help bring some talent to Rocky Top.
