After searching the transfer portal for a quarterback over the last two weeks, Tennessee landed former Colorado signal caller Ryan Staub on Sunday afternoon.
Staub started two games across three seasons for Deion Sanders’ Colorado program. In his three years with the Buffaloes, Staub completed 53-of-99 passes for 681 yards, four touchdowns, and four interceptions.
Staub won’t be joining the Tennessee football team as the no-doubt starting quarterback. He’ll compete in a quarterback battle with redshirt freshman George MacIntyre and true freshman Faizon Brandon across spring ball and fall camp for the Vols’ starting nod in 2026.
When announcing his commitment to UT, Staub told ESPN’s Pete Thamel that Tennessee is “the coolest place” he had ever seen. He also said that his decision to join the Vols revolved around “everything — facilities, location, the coaches, the city.” Staub chose Tennessee after a handful of reported visits to Cincinnati, Kentucky, Ohio State, Liberty, and Tennessee.
The unknown in this situation comes down to Tennessee’s previous starting quarterback, Joey Aguilar, who led the SEC in regular-season passing yards in 2025. Aguilar is currently in the midst of a legal battle to gain eligibility for the 2026 season. While his status for the upcoming season is still on hold, Tennessee had to make a move in the situation that he’s not eligible. Both MacIntyre and Brandon were highly-ranked prospects in their recruiting classes, and Staub’s addition will add extra competition to the room during the offseason and preseason.
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Staub was a three-star prospect in the 2023 recruiting class from West Ranch High School in Stevenson Ranch, CA. 247Sports tagged him as the No. 47 quarterback in the class and the No. 110 player from the state of California.
He played in three games with one start as a true freshman in 2023, and then played in four games as a redshirt freshman in 2024. During the Buffaloes’ 2025 campaign, Staub completed 30-of-55 passes for 427 yards, three touchdowns, and four interceptions. He also ran for 30 yards and a score. Staub made one start in Week 3 against Houston, going 19-of-35 for 204 yards, one touchdown and two picks.
QB Ryan Staub helps the Buffaloes make it close at the half 😤
Watch the second half of Colorado-Houston on ESPN and the ESPN app 👀 pic.twitter.com/XbntvMT0oH
— ESPN (@espn) September 13, 2025
For more on what Tennessee Football’s roster looks like after a flurry of portal additions over the weekend, click here.
