Vols head coach Josh Heupel understands what’s at stake in Tennessee’s starting quarterback battle between redshirt freshman George MacIntyre and true freshman Faizon Brandon.

His decision, which isn’t expected to be made until later in August, will impact this year’s team and next year’s team, too.

Heupel was asked at SEC Media Days in Tampa this week if he’s aware of the fact that whichever quarterback loses the job could transfer after the season.

“I think that’s the era of college football that we’re in, and it’s been that way for a while,” said Heupel while looking completely unbothered by the question.

Heupel seems at peace with the fact that he could lose a quarterback after this season. And that’s probably because he understands that it’s unavoidable in this current era.

If Brandon wins the job — which many expect to be the case — then it’s highly likely that MacIntyre, who will be a redshirt sophomore in 2027, will enter the transfer portal.

Now, if MacIntyre wins the job, and keeps it throughout the season, I don’t necessarily think Brandon will enter the portal. But it would create a strange dynamic entering the 2027 season. Brandon would be gunning for the starting job next spring, and since he’s the higher upside player, it’s reasonable to expect that he’d have a good chance to unseat MacIntyre and win the job.

If Brandon is the best longterm answer for the Vols, then it makes sense to just let him start this season, experience some growing pains, and be better positioned to make a big impact in 2027.

All the signs point to Brandon winning the job this fall and MacIntyre leaving the program after the 2026 season. We don’t know for certain that it’ll play out that way, but it certainly feels like the most likely scenario.