Tennessee Keeps Quarterback Job Open as Fall Camp Begins

Overview

• The Vols held their first on-field practice on Wednesday, focusing on fundamentals as the staff plans to add pads and increase team periods in the coming days.
• Head coach Josh Heupel said he will not name a starter immediately and that the job must be earned through a progression of stacked reps and cleaner decision-making.
• The leading contenders are redshirt freshman George MacIntyre and early enrollee freshman Faizon Brandon while Mason Phillips and transfer Ryan Staub provide depth in the room.
• Tennessee credited new Director of Sports Performance Derek Owings for measurable offseason gains in size, speed and strength that coaches say make the roster more physically ready.
• Coaches call new defensive coordinator Jim Knowles’ complex scheme a fast-track learning environment that could hasten the competition’s outcome and prompt portal movement for players who don’t win the job before the season opener.