Talking season hit a fever pitch for Tennessee football on Monday when Josh Heupel and Tennessee football players took the stage a SEC Media Days in Tampa just over two weeks before the Vols’ begin fall practice.
No subject is bigger for Tennessee this offseason then the Vols’ ongoing quarterback competition pitting redshirt freshman signal caller George MacIntyre against true freshman Faizon Brandon. Neither have played any meaningful snaps in college which increases the mystery and intrigue around the competition.
Both head coach Josh Heupel and star running back DeSean Bishop talked about the competition while at the podium on Monday. Here’s what the duo said.
Josh Heupel
Part of opening statement
“I know much is going to be made about our quarterback situation as we come in, starting our fifth different quarterback in five years. We’ve done that historically. At some point I’m going to have the opportunity to come back here with a returning starter at quarterback.
Seven out of the last nine years we’ve had a different starting quarterback, and seven out of the last nine years top 10 in the country in scoring. We’re going to have a guy that’s going to be ready to compete at an elite championship level.
Whenever you start a young quarterback, it’s important the other guys around him play at an extremely high level. We have a lot of guys that will put those guys in a good position to go do their jobs. It’s important you tie everything, special teams and defensively, as well.
Great thing is those two guys are going to have an opportunity to go earn it in front of their peers. We’re going to let the quarterback competition play out here during the course of training camp. I think that guy, like everybody else, has to earn it in front of their peers.”
On how to help make a young quarterback more comfortable
“I think it starts with their skill sets and their work, but having a plan of how we’re going to grow them inside of what we’re doing. Then I think our staff’s ability to adapt to whoever the quarterback is and put him in a position to do things he’s doing at a really high level, that he’s comfortable with, to put him in a position of comfort, confidence to go out there and play the way that you need to at that position.”
On what George MacIntyre/Faizon Brandon need to do to separate themselves
“Yeah, I don’t think there is just one thing at the quarterback position. That guy’s got his hands on the football every single play. You have to learn how to take care and manage the game. Catastrophic plays are the difference in this league. When you play so many one-possession games, it comes down to taking care of the football at times.
But they have to play on a competitive edge, distribute the football, get it to your play-makers on time and accurately where they have a chance to make a play afterwards.
You have to have complete control and command of what we’re doing offensively. You got to understand protections, you got to be able to check and adjust. Run game, loaded box checks. Those guys are making the decision on every play.
At the end of the day the guy that will be the guy is the guy that’s going to have complete control of what we’re doing and puts us in the best position to win football games and score points.”
DeSean Bishop
On what he’s seen from Tennessee’s two young quarterbacks
“I believe they’re competing hard. They’re trying to step into that starting role. They’re competing to the best of their ability, being leaders on and off the field, continuing to just gain that edge over one another. It’s been cool to see that. Obviously I’ve been helping them any ways they can. I’m a veteran guy. I’ve been in the system. I played a lot of football games and just doing my best so I can help them in any way I can.”
On how the quarterbacks have improved over the course of the offseason
“I say they embrace the competition. I do believe that whoever wins that spot has truly earned it. It’s been cool not to see — it’s been cool to see that it hasn’t altered our relationship either. All those guys get along very well. They’re competing at a very high level.
I couldn’t tell you which one stood out more. They’re both getting after it, honestly. It’s been cool to see.”
