Tennessee football’s spring camp is nearing an end. On Saturday, April 11, the Vols will take to Neyland Stadium for the spring Orange & White Game. During the scrimmage, all eyes in attendance will be on the trio of quarterbacks battling for the starting job: George MacIntyre, Faizon Brandon and Ryan Staub.
While Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel said the competition will leak into fall camp, we’ve gotten our first looks at what each option looks like in limited viewing sessions open to the media.
Former Alabama quarterback turned media pundit and moon landing denier, Greg McElroy, gave his opinion on where the quarterback battle in Knoxville stands.
In his opinion, MacIntyre is probably the best option at the moment, but he doesn’t want to count out Brandon passing him by the time the season begins.
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“The big question is who is going to be the quarterback in ’26?” McElroy said. “Right now, the candidates are George MacIntyre, who has been around for a year, you have a five-star true freshman in Faizon Brandon and then you have the Colorado transfer, Ryan Staub. Tennessee held their first scrimmage just a few days ago, and afterward, Josh Heupel went and met with the media and the most honest thing he says, ‘Don’t expect a guy to be named here during the course of spring ball.’ Well, of course. No way he’s going to do that.
“He’s telling you flat out right now, this competition is going to extend well into the summer and in all likelihood, knowing that Coach Heup was a quarterback, man, he knows the importance of making that decision. You can’t be wrong, so you better get it right. I think this thing could go all the way up until the first game. He’s telling you right now this thing is going to go.
“Here’s where it gets a little interesting. Now, the rep order in practice is maybe telling us something even if Coach Heupel is not willing to. In the first practices, it was MacIntyre first, then Brandon second, then Staub third. That’s kind of significant. MacIntyre is a pretty young player, probably getting most of the reps. They loved him last year, by the way. And Heupel said this, man, day one, day two of spring ball, from where he was at the end of the year, you can see the steps that he’s taken. So they’re really pleased with that.
“Now, they liked him last year. So, that’s an encouraging spot to be in. That’s good language to hear when describing a young player. You also got to acknowledge that Faizon Brandon, he’s kind of the wildcard that could change everything for that quarterback competition. He was one of the top players in the recruiting class last year. He can really throw it. He’s got a live arm. He’s got a college-ready body. He looks physically mature. Josh Heupel said the job is open and that Faizon has a real shot.
“And here’s my honest assessment. I think if the season started today, I’d be surprised if it wasn’t MacIntyre. I think he’d be the guy if it started today. But I would not be surprised if Faizon Brandon ends up maybe winning this job by the time the game rolls around. The kid is just that talented.”
“Tennessee is THE PROGRAM you wanting to be watching this spring.”
With a QB competition and new defense under Jim Knowles, all eyes are on @Vol_Football this offseason 🍊#Vols | #GBO pic.twitter.com/teehLHAhJ9
— Always College Football (@AlwaysCFB) April 2, 2026
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The Orange & White Game is scheduled for 2 p.m. ET and will be of free admission to fans. However, it will not be broadcast to fans not able to attend in-person.
The format of the scrimmage has not been announced, but it won’t follow a typical game format. In past years under Heupel, the offense wore white uniforms and the defense wore orange. The score is kept, but players will play for both ‘teams’ throughout the afternoon.
Rocky Top Insider will be in attendance, providing full updates throughout the event.
