Tennessee’s 2027 QB decision looms in the background as the Vols make their playoff push and another wrinkle that impacts the decision is emerging
At some point, the Tennessee Volunteers will need to decide who their quarterback for the 2027 is going to be.
Tennessee’s main focus right now is on beating Kentucky after the bye week and continuing their march toward the College Football Playoff (the Vols need to win out in November to make it).
At some point, though, Tennessee will need to turn its attention to figuring out who the program’s starting quarterback is going to be in 2027.
And that decision will likely need to be made by the middle of December (when transfer portal talk starts heating up).
For now, it’s far too early to suggest what decision the Vols should make. Sophomore George MacIntyre is playing well right now and deserves to continue to start games.
But I also think true freshman Faizon Brandon has an incredibly high ceiling and could still be a superstar in college football.
I’m not judging him on his first taste of SEC action just like Peyton Manning wasn’t judged on his first SEC action back in 1994.
It’s possible that MacIntyre and Brandon could both return to Tennessee next season. I don’t know what either player is thinking. But the general assumption is that one of them will transfer.
That puts Josh Heupel in a tough spot. I mean, MacIntyre is continuing to improve, but you hate to give up on Brandon.
Brandon has the physical ability and the intangibles to be a great player. The Vols put a lot of time into his recruitment, and the last thing anyone on the coaching staff wants is to see him flourish with another program.
Another wrinkle that makes this decision even more interesting is that Tennessee has a commitment from 2027 three-star quarterback Derrick Baker, a player who I think is very intriguing.
Baker isn’t as highly touted as MacIntyre or Brandon, but I think he has a chance to be a good college football player (and maybe in the NFL as well, but we need to see him play in college before we get to that discussion).
What I find interesting about Baker is that he seems to have some Diego Pavia vibes to him (as far as play style, not the personality). He’s built like a linebacker — 6-foot/235 pounds — who can run and throw.
And he seems to have the right competitive mindset (he’s got that dog in him, if you will).
Rivals.com’s Chad Simmons pointed out this week that Baker threw an interception last Friday night in his team’s 49-46 win and he never blinked.
“He never flinched,” said Baker’s high school coach, Ben Reaves, to Simmons. “He never lost doubt. Derrick never lost confidence. He was just ready to get back out there and play the next series. … The ceiling is so high. I truly think he’s going to have a great career on Saturdays, and I think he’ll make a roster on Sundays because even in high school, he’s already carrying himself like a pro.”
I have no idea how Baker will perform at the collegiate level, but he’s the type of player that I think can thrive in today’s college football. He’s kind of flying under the radar compared to highly-recruited quarterbacks. And one thing I think we’ve seen in recent years is that some of those highly-recruited quarterbacks struggle with the pressure and expectations (from Nico Iamaleava to Arch Manning to Bryce Underwood). I think there’s some benefit to flying under the radar — it’s easier to play free without those huge expectations.
I’m not suggesting that Baker is an option to start for the Vols in 2027, but I do think he’s going to be an interesting addition who has the chance to make an impact for Tennessee down the road. And he could be a top backup option in 2027 if either MacIntyre or Brandon transfers (Baker gives Heupel some quarterback security in 2027 thanks to his ability to run and the fact that he can absorb hits with his thick frame, which gives him a chance to play as a freshman if he’s needed).
There’s also the possibility that Tennessee adds a transfer quarterback if Heupel doesn’t think either MacIntyre or Brandon can get the job done.
Heupel has some interesting options. And I think the addition of Baker makes this situation even more interesting (I just really think he has the ingredients to be a gritty play-making quarterback who just finds a way to get the job done).
I don’t envy Heupel in this spot, but this is why he’s paid $9 million a year. He’s gotta get this decision right.
