ESPN report hints at one aspect of the Tennessee Vols’ QB plan after adding Colorado transfer Ryan Staub
The Tennessee Vols landed Colorado Buffaloes transfer quarterback Ryan Staub on Sunday.
The Tennessee Vols made an addition to their quarterback room on Sunday.
ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported on Sunday afternoon that Colorado Buffaloes transfer quarterback Ryan Staub had committed to Tennessee.
Staub, a rising redshirt junior who has two career starts, visited Tennessee over the weekend.
Staub, 6-1, 200 pounds from Stevenson Ranch, CA, is a former three-star recruit who has passed for 681 yards, three touchdowns, and four interceptions in his college career. He has two seasons of eligibility remaining.
ESPN report confirms one aspect of Tennessee’s QB plan after landing Ryan Staub
Tennessee’s quarterback plan throughout the offseason has been unclear.
The assumption entering the offseason was that Tennessee would try to add a starting-caliber transfer option to compete with rising redshirt freshman George MacIntyre and incoming true freshman Faizon Brandon.
That’s why it wasn’t a surprise when the Vols targeted Arizona State transfer quarterback Sam Leavitt, a player that some considered the top transfer quarterback available.
Leavitt is the only high-profile transfer quarterback that Tennessee hosted on a visit. LSU, however, landed Leavitt after Tigers head coach Lane Kiffin chased him all over the southeast.
Once the Vols missed on Leavitt, they quickly passed on Missouri transfer quarterback Beau Pribula before eventually landing Staub.
The expectation is that Staub will serve as a backup option for the Vols in 2026.
So who is going to start for Tennessee?
Unless Joey Aguilar, Tennessee’s starter in 2025, is unexpectedly granted another season of eligibility, the Vols will feature a three-man quarterback competition this spring/fall between MacIntyre, Brandon, and Staub. MacIntyre would be the favorite to win that competition.
ESPN’s Pete Thamel noted on Sunday that Staub is likely the only transfer quarterback that Tennessee will add this offseason.
“Tennessee’s starter this past season, Joey Aguilar, is in the midst of a legal fight for his eligibility in 2026 and his status is up in the air,” wrote Thamel. “Other quarterbacks include redshirt freshman George MacIntyre and highly touted freshman Faizon Brandon. Staub is the only likely transfer addition for the Vols in 2026.”
Based on Thamel’s note, it looks like Tennessee is done adding transfer quarterbacks. So unless Aguilar gets another year — and even then it’s unclear if he wants to return to Tennessee — the Vols will be rolling with the MacIntyre/Brandon/Staub trio as their quarterback room in 2026.
It’s a gamble, but it’s a gamble that Josh Heupel clearly feels comfortable taking.
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