Nearly everyone agrees that the Tennessee Vols need to add a transfer quarterback to the roster this offseason.

Joey Aguilar will be out of eligibility after this season, and redshirt freshman Jake Merklinger is expected to enter the NCAA transfer portal (though he hasn’t publicly announced that). That will leave true freshman George MacIntyre and 2026 five-star recruit Faizon Brandon as the only scholarship quarterbacks on the Vols’ roster next fall.

MacIntyre and Brandon both have unlimited potential, but both are also very shot on experience. I’m not sure either player is quite ready to lead a championship-caliber offense (maybe they are, but I don’t think Tennessee can count on that).

The Volunteers would be wise to evaluate the top quarterback options entering the transfer portal to see if any would be a good fit for Tennessee.

On3’s JD PicKell thinks Arizona State QB Sam Leavitt would be a phenomenal fit with Josh Heupel at Tennessee

On3’s Steve Wiltfong and Pete Nakos reported this week that Arizona State quarterback Sam Leavitt is being “actively shopped ‘at a high level’ to other programs with the plan of entering the Transfer Portal when the window opens on Jan. 2”.

They also added that Leavitt’s return to Arizona State in 2026 is “doubtful”.

Leavitt was viewed as one of the top quarterbacks in college football entering the 2025 season. Injuries, however, derailed his season (Leavitt will miss the rest of the season with a foot injury). Still, he’s expected to have plenty of suitors if/when he enters the transfer portal.

On3’s JD PicKell said this week that he thinks Leavitt would be a phenomenal fit with Josh Heupel at Tennessee.

“I think Tennessee would be awesome for Sam Leavitt,” said PicKell. “Do we see what Josh Heupel is doing right now with Joey Aguilar, an individual who had never played a snap of Power-Four football? Yet he walks into the SEC, walks into that offense, and starts getting buckets. One of the best passers in the country — he probably changed his NFL future. If I’m Sam Leavitt, I’m saying I can do that with Josh Heupel. I can get in for spring practice, at least, and probably be set up to be able to do something like that.

“The marriage of Josh Heupel and Sam Leavitt together, I think, would be absolutely phenomenal. Also, Tennessee, you’re gonna need a quarterback, it looks like. If I’m reading how things are probably going to break with Joey Aguilar not getting more eligibility — [that’s] how I think this whole thing is going to go. I would love that (Leavitt to Tennessee). I would absolutely love that. If I’m Sam Leavitt, I’m just saying, ‘Can I not turn it over like Joey Aguilar?’ If that’s the case, he could win a lot of ball games in Knoxville. He could play in the SEC and have really good film for pro scouts when it comes to assessing tape for the next level. I’d be here for Sam Leavitt to Tennessee.”

We’ll see what Tennessee chooses to do. It first depends on Merklinger’s transfer decision (it would be a surprise if he stays). It will also depend on how Heupel views his quarterback room and whether or not he thinks he needs another starting-caliber option.

The transfer portal doesn’t open until January 2, but the transfer chaos will start well before that date.

Tennessee Volunteers News

‘I do think he’ll be very coveted’ – Insider details the next steps in former Tennessee Vols DB Boo Carter’s transfer decision

Sophomore defensive back Boo Carter was dismissed from the Tennessee Vols’ football team this past weekend.

Zach Ragan