Tennessee football got its first look at its trio of quarterbacks up for the starting job on Monday in a practice format. The Vols held their first spring practice, with George MacIntyre, Faizon Brandon and Ryan Staub all getting reps.
After practice, UT head coach Josh Heupel met with the media to give his thoughts on what transpired in the indoor facility. A good bit of the questions involved the quarterback battle.
Here’s everything he said about the competition.
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On what he wants Tennessee QBs George MacIntyre and Faizon Brandon to get out of the first week of spring practice
“They’ve had a good winter with the introduction of some of the things that we’re doing offensively. George obviously has more time on task with the general basis of what we’re doing. But as those guys have come into the program, gaining an understanding of what we’re doing, the communication, how they’re calling protections, adjusting protections, our run-game rules, being able to control everything that we’re doing.
“And then starting to master what’s going on on the back end, from the defensive structures as well. And ultimately become a guy that is playing extremely efficiently. Starts with their eyes, being able to see things, work through the progression, then the fundamentals and the technique to deliver the ball consistently and accurately. That guy has got to play on edge. He’s got to go make plays, um, but he’s also got to take care of the football.”
On how open Tennessee’s three quarterbacks should see that position entering the spring
“Yeah, it is open. We had that conversation with all of them as we started the winter, when they all arrived here. Had that conversation again as we were wrapping up our winter before we got into spring ball. We’ve had a couple of those battles. You guys know that we always communicate with those guys openly, transparently, communicate with those guys together.
“Don’t expect a guy to be named here during the course of spring ball. I think it’s important that all the guys in that room learn and grow throughout the course of spring, also have a chance to go back in your summer months, digest it, reinstall and come back a much better player and compete and earn it in front of their teammates as you get into training camp.”
On if Tennessee’s offensive staff can be patient with the quarterback competition
“You’re patient in understanding that just like every player inside your program there’s going to be growth. There’s gonna be mistakes. What you want to see is them not making the same mistake twice. Constant growth in what they’re doing and how they’re controlling things at the quarterback position. The patience part, I think that’s how that correlates.
“You have to push them in what they’re doing on the offensive side of the football. Does that mean that everything’s in during the course of these 15 opportunities that we have in spring ball? Well, not necessarily. But you have to force feed those guys and expose them to to what you’re going to need during the course of the fall.”
On the traits he likes from George MacIntyre and Faizon Brandon
“Yeah, both of those guys are quick-minded. They grasp what we’re doing as we give them the playbook extremely well. Both have the ability to be accurate with the football. Strong enough arm to extend the field vertically. Both guys that I think anticipate windows extremely well over the middle of the football field. And fundamentally for both of them, there’s still a bunch of growth out there, for Ryan (Staub), as well. But that’s what these opportunities are about, is continually grow every day.”
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