Why landing Navy Shuler is huge for Josh Heupel and the Tennessee Vols
Quarterback Navy Shuler, a Vols legacy, announced on Sunday that he's transferring from Appalachian State to Tennessee. Shuler is the son of former Volunteers quarterback Heath Shuler, a former first-round NFL draft pick who was the 1993 SEC player of the year. The North Carolina native was rated as a three-star recruit during the 2020 […]
Quarterback Navy Shuler, a Vols legacy, announced on Sunday that he's transferring from Appalachian State to Tennessee.
Shuler is the son of former Volunteers quarterback Heath Shuler, a former first-round NFL draft pick who was the 1993 SEC player of the year.
The North Carolina native was rated as a three-star recruit during the 2020 recruiting cycle (he was rated as the No. 70 pro-style quarterback in the nation). Shuler will have four years of eligibility remaining.
Hendon Hooker is going to be the Vols' starting quarterback in 2022. Joe Milton and incoming true freshman Tayven Jackson will likely be the top two backup options.
So why do I think the addition of Shuler is so "huge" for Tennessee?
Because in the age of the transfer portal, nothing at the quarterback position is ever certain.
We've seen quarterback depth quickly disappear for programs in recent years. LSU, for example, started the 2021 season with four scholarship quarterbacks. By the middle of December, they had one scholarship quarterback left (the other three transferred, though Myles Brennan has since returned).
It's tough to keep a backup quarterback on the roster. Everyone thinks they should be a star quarterback at a program. They think they should play immediately, something that isn't always realistic.
By getting Shuler, the Vols get a former three-star quarterback who just wants to be at Tennessee. It gives Heupel some insurance at the quarterback position.
The Vols don't need Shuler to be his dad — they just need Shuler to be a capable quarterback that could step in and run the offense if the program is hit by the injury bug or suffers losses to the transfer portal.
Finding a backup quarterback who will stick around is one of the toughest parts of managing a college football roster right now.
Heupel is extremely fortunate that he has Shuler on the roster. It might save the Vols from not having a quarterback one week in the future.
Featured image via ANGELI WRIGHT/ASHEVILLE CITIZEN TIMES
