Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava plans to enter the transfer portal – and that means the Volunteers might be forced to go there, too.
According to Knoxville News Sentinel reporter Adam Sparks, Tennessee coach Josh Heupel confirmed that the Vols will also be active when the spring transfer portal opens Wednesday.
"With only two scholarship (QBs), gonna have to find another guy," Heupel said.
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Who are the quarterbacks on Tennessee's roster? Which potential portal options would fit? The Tennessee quarterback job is a good one. Heupel has produced high-yield production at the position the last four seasons.
Tennessee QB depth chart for 2025
Redshirt freshman Jake Merklinger and true freshman George MacIntyre are the two scholarship quarterbacks left on Tennessee's roster.
Merklinger finished 7 of 15 for a touchdown and an interception in the spring game Saturday. The four-star recruit from Calvary High School (Savannah, Ga.) was the third-string quarterback last year. Merklinger had better stats in the 1-on-1 and 7-on-7 portions of the Orange and White game, and he has the advantage of a year in Heupel's system.
MacIntyre finished 11 of 15 for 140 yards and three TD passes. He added eight carries for 35 yards. He's a four-star quarterback from Brentwood Academy (Franklin, Tenn.). Could he make a push for the starting job as a true freshman?
"I thought they did a really good job today," Heupel said afterward. "There were a couple of checks that we can clean up, just on the operations side of it, and the ultimate check, but they moved the football, made plays."
DECOURCY: College QB holdouts is not going to become a thing
Who could Tennessee go after in the transfer portal?
The transfer portal opens Wednesday, and there could be a few intriguing options depending on which quarterback enters the portal. Right now, Iowa's Brendan Sullivan is the top option among players who are planning to enter the portal.
Keep an eye on other QB competitions as Wednesday nears.
Ohio State is one example. Julian Sayin and Lincoln Kienholz were engaged in a quarterback battle this spring, and Buckeyes coach Ryan Day has not declared a starter heading into fall camp. Sayin remains the favorite, which could free up Kienholz.
Michigan's Jadyn Davis is another potential option if he entered the portal. Five-star freshman Bryce Underwood is the favorite for the Wolverines. Michigan also has Fresno State transfer Mikey Keene. Tennessee offensive coordinator Joey Halzle recruited Davis, who played at Providence Day (Charlotte, N.C.) School. It is a potential fit. Notre Dame also has a three-way competition with C.J. Carr, Steve Angeli and Kenny Minchey.
The ripple effect of wherever Iamaleava lands also could create an opening, especially if he transfers to a school that has a starting quarterback.
MORE: Possible landing spots for Nico Iamaleava
Tennessee has five-star QB in 2026 class
Tennessee does have a commitment from Faizon Brandon, the No. 1 QB recruit in the 2026 class, according to 247Sports.com. Brandon (Grimsley High School, Greensboro, N.C.) is 6-foot-3 and 197 pounds. He will be expected to compete for the starting job when he arrives next season. Iamaleava was a five-star recruit for Tennessee in the 2023 class – which has a high transfer rate at the quarterback position.
Would Nico Iamaleava return to Tennessee?
This seems almost impossible given the public nature in which his exit from Tennessee unfolded. On Aug. 31, ESPN's Pete Thamel reported “"the situation has become a growing source of frustration among administrators at Tennessee and within the locker room." Would Iamaleava be welcome back in the Vols' locker room if he enters the portal? Could an NIL deal be put in place that meets his request?
Given how the transfer portal has changed the dynamics of college football, we would not rule anything out at this point.
Tennessee QBs under Josh Heupel
Heupel is 37-15 at Tennessee the last four seasons. Hendon Hooker led the Vols to an 11-3 record in 2022 and finished fifth in the Heisman Trophy voting. Milton had a solid season as a one-year starter, and Iamaleava guided the Vols to the College Football Playoff in 2024.
Hooker was a third-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. Milton was a sixth-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
In those four seasons, Tennessee's leading passer averaged 2,877 passing yards, 24 TDs and four interceptions per season in Heupel's QB-friendly offense. That is kind of the median for production that the Vols' next starter will be expected to produce. It is notable Iamaleava had the fewest yards, lowest completion rate, fewest touchdowns and tied for the most interceptions.
Tennessee leading passers (2021-24)
| YEAR | QB | COMP | ATT | % | YDS | TDS | INTS |
| 2021 | Hendon Hooker | 206 | 303 | 68.0% | 2,945 | 31 | 3 |
| 2022 | Hendon Hooker | 229 | 329 | 69.6% | 3,135 | 27 | 2 |
| 2023 | Joe Milton | 229 | 354 | 64.7% | 2,813 | 20 | 5 |
| 2024 | Nico Iamaleava | 213 | 334 | 63.8% | 2,616 | 19 | 5 |