‘That’s kind of where I expect it to be’ – Vols insider shares latest on where Tennessee’s next transfer QB target could come from
The Tennessee Vols are still trying to figure out their transfer quarterback situation.
The Tennessee Vols are continuing their search for a transfer quarterback after losing the battle for Arizona State transfer Sam Leavitt.
Leavitt, who took a multi-day visit to Tennessee, signed with LSU following a bizarre scenario where he was chased down in Knoxville by Tigers head coach Lane Kiffin.
With Leavitt heading to Baton Rouge, there are no high-profile transfer quarterbacks left for the Vols to target.
As a result, it’s looking increasingly likely that rising redshirt freshman quarterback George MacIntyre will be given an opportunity to win the starting job at Tennessee in 2026.
Tennessee is still looking for a transfer quarterback
While the Vols reportedly feel comfortable with MacIntyre and incoming five-star quarterback Faizon Brandon, the expectation is that Tennessee will still add a transfer quarterback to the roster.
It just may not be a big name.
VolQuest’s Austin Price suggested on Wednesday during an appearance on WNML’s Josh and Swain that Tennessee could look to the FCS level for a transfer quarterback.
“I still think Tennessee goes the FCS route and tries to bring somebody in from from those ranks,” said Price. “And that’s kind of where I expect it to be. I don’t expect Tennessee to take anybody from the Power-4 level at this point. Now, again, obviously that could change. But as we sit here on Wednesday, it looks like, I would say, more the FCS route for somebody to compete — that has some experience and that’s probably won some games at that level — against George MacIntyre and Faizon Brandon.”
As Price notes, if the Vols go the FCS route — and that appears to be the most likely option unless an unexpected quarterback enters the portal (or unless Joey Aguilar gets another season of eligibility) — it means the program will likely feature a three-man quarterback competition during spring and fall practice.
As for FCS quarterback options that Tennessee could consider?
Well, to this point, there are no names that have been attached to the Vols, though that could change at any moment.
One popular name among Vols fans, though, is Western Carolina transfer quarterback Taron Dickens.
Dickens, 5-foot-11/180 pounds from Miami, FL, put up video game numbers in 2025, passing for 3,508 yards, 38 touchdowns and only two interceptions while completing 74 percent of his passes. He also rushed for 321 yards and a touchdown.
Price, however, noted that he hasn’t heard Dickens’ name from anyone in the building at Tennessee, but he believes the UT coaching staff has watched the transfer quarterback’s film.
“I think Tennessee has watched him,” said Price when asked about Dickens. “To my knowledge, I’ve not heard his name linked to Tennessee outside of just the fans. [I’ve] not heard anybody in the building talk about him.”
The transfer portal closes on Friday. Tennessee can still add a quarterback after the portal closes, but no one can enter the portal after Friday (unless their head coach leaves, or they play for Miami or Indiana, which play in the national championship game on January 19).
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