“Everyone on your team needs to see that guy get that job, in my opinion.” Josh Heupel, the football coach at Tennessee, described what he’s searching for as the Vols get ready for a quarterback battle
As Tennessee football prepares for the next chapter under head coach Josh Heupel, a pivotal quarterback battle looms large over the program. The Volunteers, known for their explosive offense and upward trajectory in the SEC, are entering a new phase where the identity of their next quarterback will not just shape the offense, but could redefine the program’s short-term future. Heupel, whose offensive pedigree has been key to Tennessee’s resurgence, knows better than anyone that naming a starting quarterback isn’t simply about arm talent or stats. It’s about leadership, command, and presence. As he put it, “Everyone on your team needs to see that guy get that job, in my opinion.” That statement encapsulates far more than just a preference—it lays bare the ethos of what Heupel values most in a quarterback: respect, buy-in, and credibility among peers.
This offseason has been circled in red ink for the Volunteers. With the departure of Joe Milton III, who served as the bridge between Hendon Hooker and the future, all eyes now turn to the next man up. The leading candidates are Nico Iamaleava, the former five-star recruit who dazzled in the Citrus Bowl, and several talented but less experienced quarterbacks still developing within the program. While most fans and analysts see Iamaleava as the clear favorite, Heupel refuses to rush the process. He knows the importance of letting the team see the competition unfold organically. It’s not just about choosing a starter; it’s about cultivating belief within the locker room.
For Heupel, that belief starts with consistency. One strong game or impressive practice won’t tip the scales. It’s about stacking days—training sessions, workouts, scrimmages—and proving day in and day out that you are the guy. In his system, which relies heavily on tempo, decision-making, and efficiency, the quarterback is more than just a passer. He’s the engine, the signal-caller, the leader who sets the tone. That’s why Heupel’s comment carries such weight. If a quarterback wins the job but hasn’t earned the trust and confidence of the locker room, the offense won’t function as it should. He wants the team to rally around the winner, to see that player as the rightful leader—not just someone handed the reins by the coaching staff.
This philosophy is rooted in Heupel’s own experience. As a former quarterback himself, he understands the nuances and pressures of the position. He knows what it takes to lead a group of men, to command a huddle, and to win games in the SEC. He’s lived it. That background gives him a deeper appreciation for the intangible qualities that define a great quarterback. He sees the role as part athlete, part strategist, part politician. Winning over the room is just as important as hitting the deep ball or executing a read-option. Heupel isn’t interested in naming a starter for the sake of clarity—he wants that quarterback to win the job in the eyes of everyone.
Nico Iamaleava’s name is impossible to ignore in this context. The Polynesian phenom has been hyped since the day he signed with Tennessee. His rare blend of size, athleticism, and natural arm talent makes him one of the most intriguing quarterback prospects in the country. When he got the start in the Citrus Bowl, it felt like a glimpse into the future. He showed flashes of brilliance—poise in the pocket, touch on intermediate throws, the ability to extend plays. But even that performance, as promising as it was, didn’t guarantee him the job. And that’s by design. Heupel doesn’t want his players to feel entitled based on recruiting rankings or flashes of potential. The locker room is watching, and they know who puts in the work. If Iamaleava is to be the guy, he’ll have to earn it in full view of his teammates. That’s the only way the team will follow him into battle.
The quarterback competition also provides a proving ground for Tennessee’s program culture. Under Heupel, the Vols have cultivated a merit-based environment. Players know that jobs are won on the field and in the locker room—not in media narratives or fan expectations. That culture breeds accountability and competitiveness. It pushes players to elevate their games and encourages depth throughout the roster. At the quarterback position, this mindset is especially crucial. With so much responsibility placed on one individual, the team has to believe in that leader. That belief can’t be manufactured. It has to be earned through reps, sacrifice, and visibility. The locker room knows who works the hardest. They know who stays late, who lifts others up, who performs under pressure. Heupel is counting on that shared awareness to guide the team’s collective buy-in.
As the Volunteers progress through fall camp, practices will serve as the crucible where leadership is revealed. It’s not just about execution—it’s about tone-setting. Who communicates with confidence? Who rebounds after a mistake? Who stays locked in when things go sideways? Those questions won’t be answered in a single moment, but in a pattern of behavior. The quarterback who can answer those questions repeatedly will slowly separate himself from the pack. Heupel and his staff will evaluate everything: body language, decision-making, relationships with teammates, even how a quarterback handles the media. Every interaction becomes a data point. And the team is watching it all unfold.
What’s fascinating is how Heupel’s offensive system both simplifies and magnifies the quarterback’s role. On one hand, the scheme is designed to get the ball out quickly, create space, and play fast. It’s quarterback-friendly in that it allows for rhythm and tempo. But on the other hand, it demands total control and lightning-quick decisions. There’s no hiding at that position in this offense. The quarterback must understand protections, recognize mismatches, and manipulate defenses—all in a matter of seconds. So while Heupel wants his quarterback to earn the respect of the team emotionally, he also needs him to own the playbook intellectually. That’s a delicate balance, and not every talented player can manage both.
Beyond the immediate quarterback race, this moment is symbolic of Tennessee’s broader aspirations. Under Heupel, the Vols are not content with being a feel-good story or an occasional SEC threat. They want to be in the playoff conversation every year. They want to win championships. To do that, they need a quarterback who can go toe-to-toe with the best in the country. That’s why this decision carries so much weight. It’s not just about September. It’s about December and beyond. The quarterback who emerges from this battle won’t just lead the team against non-conference foes—he’ll face Alabama, Georgia, Florida, and possibly a CFP semifinal. Heupel knows that stakes. He’s not looking for a placeholder; he’s looking for a playmaker, a difference-maker, a leader who elevates the entire team.
In this sense, Heupel’s comment about “everyone on your team needs to see that guy get that job” reflects his belief in collective accountability. A quarterback who is handed the job might be resented. A quarterback who wins the job—visibly, undeniably—will be celebrated. That distinction matters. It sets the tone for the season and reinforces the culture Heupel is building. The players have to see it, believe it, and feel it. Only then will the offense truly click. Only then will the team have the cohesion and trust needed to weather adversity and chase greatness.
The weeks ahead will bring clarity. Reps will be split, decisions will be made, and eventually a starter will be named. But in many ways, the most important decisions are being made in the weight room, the meeting room, and the locker room. That’s where leaders are forged. That’s where reputations are built. Heupel understands this better than most. He doesn’t want to announce a quarterback—he wants one to emerge. And he wants that emergence to be so obvious, so unarguable, that the entire team nods in agreement. That’s what he means when he says the team needs to see it. It’s not about optics—it’s about truth.
And when that truth is revealed, when the team sees one of their own take the job not by default but by domination, then Tennessee will be ready. Ready to turn the page, ready to unleash their offense, ready to compete at the highest level. Until then, the process continues, with every throw, every rep, and every moment of leadership being evaluated. Heupel wouldn’t have it any other way.
