Tennessee football has won in different ways under Josh Heupel. In his pair of double-digit win regular seasons, it saw a high-flying offense under the direction of signal-caller Hendon Hooker in 2022, and a lockdown defense grinding out wins in 2024.
For the most part, Heupel has had a track record of putting dynamic offenses on the field, though. Whether it’s been as a coordinator or head coach at UCF and UT, he’s figured out how to put up points as well as anyone in the country. Even after the offense took a step back in 2024, he figured out a way to light up the scoreboard with Joey Aguilar the following year.
Due to the track record, you may think there’s confidence that Heupel can keep the ball rolling in 2026. That isn’t necessarily the public perception, though. Instead, On3 show Crain & Cone placed Tennessee’s offense disrespectfully low on its rankings of SEC offense at No. 10.
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— On3 (@On3) July 20, 2026
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The reason Tennessee has skeptics about its offensive production is the quarterback position. The Vols will have a new starter, either true freshman Faizon Brandon or second-year George MacIntyre. Both were highly recruited out of high school and are now being pitted against each other in a position battle this fall camp.
The inexperience doesn’t necessarily worry Heupel, though. During his opening statement at SEC Media Days, he pointed to his history of finding a way to have productive offenses.
“I know much is going to be made about our quarterback situation as we come in, starting our fifth different quarterback in five years,” Heupel said. “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.”
The spots around quarterback are also proven. Tennessee returns four of five starters on the offensive line, a productive and veteran tight end, two of its trio of elite wide receivers and its 1,000-yard SEC running back.
