Tennessee football began spring practice Monday as the Vols hit the practice field for the first time ahead of Josh Heupel’s sixth season as head coach. The biggest storyline of spring practice is Tennessee’s quarterback competition as redshirt freshman George MacIntyre, true freshman Faizon Brandon and Colorado transfer Ryan Staub compete for the starting job.
Following the Vols’ second fall practice, all three quarterbacks met with the media including MacIntyre. The tall second-year quarterback discussed his experience competing for a starting spot, his relationship with Tennessee’s receivers and much more. Here’s everything MacIntyre said.
More From RTI: What Tennessee Football Freshman QB Faizon Brandon Said to Begin Spring Practice
On playing behind Joey Aguilar last season, that not being the case entering 2026
“Last year I took it as a blessing to be in that quarterback battle last year. And coming back, I think it just helped me realize the things you need to do within the battle. So yeah, that helped a lot.”
On how much different he feels entering his second spring at Tennessee
“Yeah, I think I’ve grown a lot since I got here, throughout last spring, last fall camp and the season. Just growing within the scheme, within the team is more of a leadership role, so yeah, for sure.”
On how much size he has added since last year
“I just hit the 20-pound mark since I got here. So I got here 180, 182, and I was 202 the other day.”
On how tired is he is of getting questions about his weight
“Yeah, I understand why they ask it, but I feel like I’m doing my part as well.”
On preparing during the offseason for a wide-open quarterback competition
“Yeah, just super excited for the opportunity in general. And just prepare like I have since I got here. I feel like prepare like you’re going to be the starter. I think everybody should be doing that, and I feel like they are. And it’s a good group and just excited to take the next steps.”
On his relationship with Tennessee freshman quarterback Faizon Brandon
“Super talented guy. He’s also a good dude in the room. I think we mesh well as a group, all four of us in the room as well.”
On the trip to Miami to work out with Tennessee wide receivers and tight ends during the winter
“Yeah, team bonding for sure. We had a lot of fun down there. We also got better, worked on a lot of timing routes, stuff like that. Super fun trip and I feel like it kind of catapulted us into pre-spring and spring.”
On what it was like for him when Tennessee was looking at transfer quarterbacks and Joey Aguilar was going through an eligibility lawsuit vs. the NCAA
“Yeah, obviously it was a lot of unknown. But I liked where I was. I wanted to stay where my feet were and just kind of came out on the right side of it, I guess. As long as I had a chance to compete, I was going to be here. A lot of unknown, but yeah, just tried to stay where my feet were in Knoxville.”
On if he tried to block out the noise or if it was something he could get away from
“Yeah, I think that’s definitely part of it. That’s just college football nowadays, I think. It’s just different than it was growing up. But yeah, kind of what you said exactly.”
On what kind of communication there was with the Tennessee coaching staff
“A little bit. We stayed in communication.”
On his grasp on Tennessee’s offense now compared to a year ago
“A lot more, for sure. I felt like I was kind of drinking from a fire hose for spring ball last year. And this year, kind of really knowing the ins and outs and the protections and everything that goes with the offense. I feel like I’ve got the scheme down pretty well and will only improve with more reps.”
On if he was ever in a quarterback competition in high school
“Yeah, my rising sophomore year I had to beat out a junior and a senior that, both ended up being good players. They transferred to other schools in the district, ended up playing against each other. And that was some of the most fun times just being able to compete.”
On if he’s uncomfortable competing for a starting job
“No, I think that’s all you can ask for. I think that’s one of the beautiful things of football for sure.”
On how to not put pressure on yourself in the competition
“I think the difference between feeling pressure and feeling a sense of urgency is big. So the sense of urgency is good, trying to get better every day and pushing each other, and then at the same time not letting pressure get to you.”
On what excites him most about the receiver core
“First off, a lot of good players coming back. Obviously Mike and Bray are pretty established, but I feel like, there’s a lot of other guys that can step in and play right now and could have last year and super exciting group. Got a lot of size, a lot of speed. Can’t wait to be out there with them.”
On specific conversations or areas of worth with new strength coach Derek Owings
“Obviously, nutrition’s going to be a big part of it. They’re always down there at meals, down there weigh ins. We weigh in every day, so you really get a gauge of where you’re at or where you need to be. And I think there’s added intensity to every aspect in the weight room, in the training room, in the cafeteria, just added intensity for sure.”
On if he has a target weight
“Obviously as much as possible, but I was told to go into fall camp at 210.”
On if there’s any extra protein shakes, pbj sandwiched to try and get there
“Yeah, for sure. All the above.”
On what accountability means to him
“Accountability, I think you got to be a guy your teammates and coaches can trust, and I think that’s something every single player is trying to build on this team right now. I feel like we’ve done a good job and the coaches just keep preaching it, and we just got yo keep showing up every day and being accountable.”
On the biggest benefit of a quarterback competition when it comes to growth
“I think the actual competition part of it’s the best part. Just being able to have other guys push you and not, not only just push yourself, but push others, have others push you and just get better collectively as a group every single day.”
On what the best part of his game is right now
“Best part of my game right now? That’s a good question. I don’t know. We’ll see.”
On the growth of his arm strength
“Yeah, for sure. I think just getting bigger and stronger has helped in that aspect as well. I think the deep ball has always been one of the things I’ve been better at since high school and being here last year. So just trying to grow with the chemistry with the guys that I’ll be throwing the deep balls to and yeah, I think we’ll have that connection going.”
On what Ryan Staub has brought to the quarterback room
“First off, great guy. He brings a positive energy to the room. He’s older, he’s kind of been around different systems and he knows a lot of football, so super grateful to have Ryan.”
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