Brian Maurer misses fifth-consecutive Tennessee practice

University of Tennessee quarterback Brian Maurer missed his fifth practice in a row on Monday, according to Jimmy Hyams.

The redshirt sophomore was a noticeable absence from Monday’s practice. Mauer has not been removed from the Volunteer’s roster and he is yet to enter the NCAA’s transfer portal, as Hyams noted.

Brian Maurer entered this offseason as one of four potential starting quarterbacks for Tennessee, as practices began. However, it appears that things are not going according to plan for him. He is the only one of the four who have missed consecutive practices. Maurer was in the Volunteers practice facility Thursday, but he did not participate in the scrimmage.

Head coach Josh Heupel gave a brief comment on the situation with Maurer after Thursday’s scrimmage.

“I had an initial conversation with him at some point a few days ago as far as the reps and how things were going to be divided up,” Heupel said. “No further update on him. We will have a conversation with him during the off day here.”

On that same Thursday night, Mauer posted a picture of himself on Instagram with a caption under the photo.

“They took my dream after 4 days… That’s okay cause I’m a soldier. #18out.,” the caption read.

Since then it has been edited and now says “I’m a soldier” with a green heart next to it.

Brian Maurer saw his playing time decrease from 2019 to 2020. After appearing in 12 games and starting four of them, Maurer appeared in just four games last year. In those four games, he was just 2-6 for nine yards and was sacked one time.

Tennessee’s quarterback competition still rages on between Harrison Bailey, Hendon Hooker, and Joe Milton. Both Hooker and Milton arrived to the team in the offseason via the transfer portal.

Bailey on the other hand was on the team last year and started the final three games of the season. He went 1-2 in those starts losing to the fifth-ranked Aggies and sixth-ranked Gators. Both head coach Josh Heupel and quarterbacks coach Joey Halzle have had high praise for all their quarterbacks throughout the competition.