Who will be the Tennessee Vols’ starting quarterback? Examining the quarterback competition between Jake Merklinger, Joey Aguilar, and
The Tennessee Volunteers are entering the 2025 college football season with one of the most intriguing quarterback competitions in the nation. After the departure of Nico Iamaleava to the NFL, Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel finds himself evaluating a diverse trio of quarterbacks vying to take over the reins of an offense built around tempo, vertical passing, and a balance of quarterback mobility. The three key contenders are Joey Aguilar, a transfer from Appalachian State; Jake Merklinger, a redshirt freshman who’s been groomed in the system; and George MacIntyre, a true freshman with elite upside. Each brings a different style, level of experience, and developmental timeline to the position, creating a fascinating dilemma for Heupel and his staff.
Joey Aguilar enters the competition with the most college football experience by far. After a productive two-year stint at Appalachian State, where he threw for over 6,700 yards and 56 touchdowns, Aguilar transferred first to UCLA before making his way to Knoxville. His arm strength, pocket presence, and ability to make throws on the run have all stood out in spring and summer workouts. More importantly, teammates reportedly gravitated toward his leadership style and his confidence in the huddle. He’s used to high-pressure situations and has performed on big stages, including bowl games and rivalry matchups, which gives him a major edge over his less experienced counterparts.
However, Aguilar’s Achilles heel has been turnovers. In 2024 alone, he threw 14 interceptions, many of which came at inopportune moments and cost his team field position and momentum. While his gunslinger mentality can create explosive plays, it also leads to risky decisions. Tennessee’s offensive scheme does favor taking shots down the field, but Heupel has been clear about the importance of ball security and efficient decision-making. This could mean Aguilar’s margin for error is thinner than it might be in another program. Heupel has praised Aguilar’s maturity and command during meetings, but also hinted that the quarterback who protects the football best will likely win the job.
Jake Merklinger is the internal option that Tennessee has been developing quietly behind the scenes. A former four-star recruit from Georgia, Merklinger committed to Tennessee knowing that he’d sit behind Iamaleava and learn the system from the inside out. After redshirting in 2024, Merklinger is entering this competition with the benefit of full system knowledge, rapport with coaches, and the advantage of timing. The staff has seen him grow from scout team duties to leading second-team drives in spring scrimmages. His mechanics are clean, his decision-making is advanced for a second-year player, and his mobility gives the offense some added flexibility when plays break down.
What Merklinger lacks is live-game experience. Unlike Aguilar, he hasn’t faced SEC defenses or played in front of 100,000 fans under the lights. While his grasp of the offense and calm demeanor are major positives, the lack of battle testing could make coaches nervous if the early schedule includes challenging matchups. That said, some close to the program believe Merklinger might actually be the most “Heupel-ready” quarterback in terms of doing exactly what’s required—managing tempo, executing reads, and distributing the ball efficiently. There’s also been chatter that the coaching staff has quietly been preparing Merklinger to lead, evident in some of the praise and increased reps he’s received since spring camp.
Then there’s George MacIntyre, the highly touted true freshman who turned down offers from Alabama, LSU, and Georgia to join the Vols. MacIntyre is already creating buzz in Knoxville, thanks to a strong showing in the spring game where he completed 12-of-15 passes for 123 yards and three touchdowns. His arm talent is undeniable—he can make every throw on the field—and his footwork and pocket presence are already ahead of where most freshmen typically start. Enrolling early gave him a head start on learning the offense, and by all accounts, he’s been a fast learner. Offensive coordinator Joey Halzle even remarked in June that MacIntyre’s football IQ is “through the roof” and his maturity is “years beyond his age.”
Despite the hype, MacIntyre remains a longshot to win the starting job in Week 1. Heupel has rarely handed the keys to a true freshman, preferring instead to develop quarterbacks gradually. Still, if MacIntyre continues his upward trajectory during summer workouts and fall camp, the staff might be forced to consider him as a legitimate option. His ceiling is the highest of the three, and there’s a real argument to be made that the future starts now. Whether Tennessee is willing to live through the growing pains of a freshman quarterback is another question entirely.
Heupel himself has remained intentionally vague about who leads the race, emphasizing competition and growth over pecking order. In multiple interviews throughout June and July, he’s used phrases like “they’re all improving” and “no one has separated yet,” which aligns with how he’s handled quarterback battles in the past. Heupel believes that internal competition brings out the best in players, and he’s not one to name a starter until every possible variable has been tested. This includes live scrimmages, red-zone drills, third-down simulations, and situational installs during camp.
The timeline for a decision likely centers around mid-August. By then, the Vols will have conducted several full-team scrimmages and padded practices. Coaches will have tape of each quarterback against live defenses and can evaluate not just throws but intangible qualities—poise under pressure, body language after mistakes, leadership in the huddle, and communication with the offensive line and receivers. Tennessee opens the season against Syracuse on August 30, and while that game may not feature the same intensity as an SEC matchup, the Vols will want their starter firmly established well before then to build chemistry and finalize the offensive game plan.
There’s also the question of long-term implications. Choosing Aguilar likely means opting for a one-year stopgap who gives you the best chance to win immediately. It could also stunt the development of Merklinger or delay MacIntyre’s rise. Going with Merklinger might strike the right balance—someone who’s been groomed for this moment, can grow with the offense, and has multiple years of eligibility remaining. Rolling the dice on MacIntyre is the boldest move of all, and while he might be the most talented, he’s also the least proven. Whichever direction the staff chooses, it’s a decision that will ripple beyond 2025 and shape the quarterback landscape for years to come.
Behind the scenes, team sources suggest that Aguilar has a narrow edge going into late July, mostly because of his college experience and ability to process defenses quickly. Coaches trust that he can take care of the football with the right coaching and cut down on turnovers. Merklinger, meanwhile, continues to impress during film sessions and walkthroughs, and there’s a growing sense that he could overtake Aguilar if he puts together consistent practices in the early days of fall camp. MacIntyre remains the wildcard, flashing brilliance one day and showing rookie tendencies the next, which is typical for someone his age.
Tennessee’s wide receiver room and offensive line will also influence this decision. With a veteran group of wideouts and a strong offensive line, the coaching staff may feel more comfortable inserting a less experienced quarterback, knowing the supporting cast can elevate him. On the flip side, a quarterback like Aguilar might take better advantage of the deep-threat weapons and tempo-based schemes that have made Tennessee so dangerous in recent years.
This decision also carries weight because of Tennessee’s standing in the SEC. With Texas and Oklahoma joining the league this season, the conference becomes even more competitive. The Vols have aspirations of returning to the SEC Championship and positioning themselves for the expanded College Football Playoff. Getting the quarterback decision right is absolutely essential. One misstep could derail the offense’s rhythm, create locker room uncertainty, and potentially result in early-season losses that knock Tennessee out of contention.
Ultimately, the quarterback battle in Knoxville is shaping up to be one of the most significant and closely watched in all of college football. Joey Aguilar brings the experience and leadership that could stabilize the offense. Jake Merklinger offers continuity and the ability to execute Heupel’s vision from within. George MacIntyre provides the spark of potential greatness that few true freshmen possess. No matter who emerges, the Vols are positioned with enviable depth and talent at the position—something that’s become increasingly rare in the transfer portal era.
As the season nears, Heupel’s choice will speak volumes about his philosophy—not just for 2025, but for the direction of Tennessee football as a whole. Whether it’s the seasoned transfer, the patient protégé, or the future superstar, the next man under center will be tasked with continuing the momentum of a program that has rebuilt itself into a contender. The pressure is immense, the expectations even greater, and the margin for error razor thin. But the Vols wouldn’t want it any other way.
