Ranking the top-5 best transfer quarterback options for Josh Heupel and the Tennessee Vols

The Tennessee Vols need to find a transfer quarterback this offseason.

Zach Ragan — Tennessee Volunteers News Writer
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It’s no secret that the Tennessee Vols are going to be looking for a quarterback when the transfer portal opens on Jan. 2.

Tennessee’s current quarterback options for the 2026 season are rising redshirt freshman George MacIntyre and incoming true freshman Faizon Brandon.

The Vols like both of those quarterbacks a LOT, but both players are short on experience (MacIntyre has attempted nine passes in college).

Tennessee will likely bring in a transfer quarterback who can at least compete with MacIntyre and Brandon for the starting job next season.

The top-5 transfer quarterback options for Tennessee

If the Vols are going to add a top transfer quarterback, the cost won’t be cheap.

Some of this year’s top transfer options are expected to command around $4 to $5 million, which could be out of Tennessee’s price range (the Vols need to fill several holes on defense via the portal, and they’re already paying MacIntyre and Brandon at the quarterback position).

It’s still possible, though, that Tennessee will target a top quarterback in the portal (Tennessee is keeping its quarterback plan close to the vest).

If the Vols decide to go all-in on a transfer quarterback, these would be the five best options.

1. Byrum Brown, USF

Byrum Brown would be the best option for the Vols. He already knows the offense after playing under former Tennessee offensive coordinator Alex Golesh at USF the last three seasons. Brown passed for 3,158 yards, 28 touchdowns, and seven interceptions in 2025.

He also rushed for 1,008 yards and 14 touchdowns. Brown’s playmaking ability, combined with his experience in a similar offense, would make him a perfect fit for Tennessee. But unfortunately for the Vols, it seems likely that Brown will follow Golesh to Auburn.

2. Brendan Sorsby, Cincinnati

Brendan Sorsby is at the top of the wish list for quite a few Vols fans. And that makes sense — Sorsby is a good player (I just like Brown’s experience in Golesh’s offense).

Sorsby, who has immediate family that lives in Knoxville, has been linked to Texas Tech. Tennessee, however, is expected to show some interest in the talented quarterback. Sorsby passed for 2,800 yards, 27 touchdowns, and five interceptions last season. He also rushed for 580 yards and nine touchdowns.

3. Sam Leavitt, Arizona State

Sam Leavitt was the Big 12 freshman of the year in 2024 after passing for 2,885 yards, 24 touchdowns, and six interceptions while rushing for 443 yards and five touchdowns.

The Portland native missed the final five games of the 2025 regular season after undergoing foot surgery in early November. Leavitt is a dynamic player, but there may be some hesitation to offer him a lucrative NIL deal as he recovers from his foot injury.

4. Josh Hoover, TCU

The Vols showed interest in Josh Hoover in the spring when Nico Iamaleava left the program for UCLA. Hoover, though, elected to stay at TCU for the 2025 season. Now that Hoover is planning to transfer, he’s a quarterback who will likely be on the Vols’ radar.

Hoover played in a similar offense at TCU (under offensive coordinator Kendal Briles) to the one Tennessee runs under Heupel. But Hoover isn’t much of a threat with his legs, which could be a dealbreaker for the Vols (Hoover had four total rushing yards in 2025).

5. Drew Mestemaker, North Texas

Many expect Drew Mestemaker to follow Eric Morris to Oklahoma State. And while that seems like a good possibility, it’s not a certainty. If Mestemaker chooses to explore his options, Tennessee would be a good fit.

Mestemaker played in the Air Raid offense at North Texas, which would help him transition to Heupel’s veer-n-shoot-inspired system at Tennessee. Mestemaker passed for 4,129 yards, 31 touchdowns, and seven interceptions at North Texas in 2025. He also rushed for five touchdowns and 71 yards.

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