‘It’s good to hear a quarterback talk like that’ -Tennessee WR Braylon Staley drops important comment about the Vols’ quarterback situation
Tennessee sophomore quarterback George MacIntyre has started the last three games for the Vols.
Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel didn’t name a starting quarterback on Monday for the Vols’ upcoming game against Kentucky, but the expectation is that sophomore George MacIntyre will make his fourth straight start.
MacIntyre played well in Tennessee’s loss to South Carolina two weeks ago — certainly better than the box score indicated — and he’s undoubtedly earned the right to start against the Wildcats on Saturday night in Neyland Stadium.
One big reason why Tennessee’s offense is showing growth with MacIntyre under center is because of the young quarterback’s improved vocal leadership.
Vols wide receiver Braylon Staley told reporters on Monday that MacIntyre is becoming much more vocal since becoming the guy at quarterback.
“He’s grown a lot,” said Staley. “Obviously, since he took the role over he’s been playing his butt off, but he’s growing a lot. He’s taking control of the offense now and being the leader that he’s supposed to be. He talks way more than I’ve seen before. … He’s got his confidence back right now.”
“We get in the huddle sometimes now and it’s George just being loud,” added Staley. “He’s telling us what to do. It’s real good to be in the huddle and hear a quarterback talk like that.”
Communication and vocal leadership are some of the most important ingredients to being an elite quarterback. It’s not that a quarterback needs to be a rah-rah type of guy, but the vocal leadership has to be confident, direct, and concise. And it certainly sounds like MacIntyre is growing into that role.
That’s huge for the Vols’ offense down the stretch. If Tennessee is going to make any noise in the postseason, they’ll need to play their best offensive football of the season over the next month.
