Josh Heupel provides updates on QB Brian Maurer and OT K’Rojhn Calbert

Tennessee had their first preseason scrimmage on Thursday and big news came out of the two-hour event which included live tackling. First-year head coach Josh Heupel spoke with the media following the event and gave updates on multiple positions.

QB Maurer’s status with the team is up in the air

Brian Maurer did not attend practice for a second-straight day and appears to be the fourth-string option for the Volunteers in their complicated quarterback situation. Maurer was previously in a four-way battle with Harrison Bailey, Hendon Hooker and Joe Milton to start.

“I had an initial conversation with him a few days ago as far as the reps and how those things were going to be divided up,” Heupel said. “There’s no further update on him. We’ll have a conversation with him during the off day.”

Maurer has played in 12 games for Tennessee but has not started since 2019, his true freshman year. He did not finish any of his starts and ended that season with 541 yards, two touchdowns, five interceptions and a completion percentage of 45.9%. Maurer indicated last week that he was not leaving Knoxville, and he is not currently in the transfer portal.

“My family raised a fighter,” Maurer said. “I am going to keep swinging until the day I can’t swing no more. I am going to give everything I can to this university.”

OT K’Rojhn Calbert has surgery for bicep injury

The left tackle with five starts and 32 total games under his belt is a big loss for Tennessee. 

“K’Rojhn did have surgery and will not be with us for an extended period of time right now,” Heupel said. “I’ve said it before, the strength of one position can’t just be one guy, certainly offensive line. Next guy has to step up and take advantage of his opportunity and, at the end of the day, compete and prove that he can play at a championship level.”

Last season, Tennessee returned all five of their starters on the offensive line but still struggled. The offense averaged just 21.5 points per game, which was 12th in the SEC ahead of just Mississippi State and Vanderbilt. Wayna Morris departed for Oklahoma and Jahmir Johnson left for Texas A&M, leaving the Volunteers with major gaps at the position. Junior and former All-SEC freshman Darnell Wright is still with the team and will need to step up.

True freshman William Parker received reps in Thursday’s scrimmage.