Josh Heupel provides update on Tennessee's starting quarterback battle

After a 3-7 season in 2020, the Tennessee Volunteers are set to enter a new era under new coach Josh Heupel. Heupel joins the Vols following a stint as the head coach at Central Florida. One of the biggest storylines in Tennessee is who will emerge as its starting quarterback.

Heupel says that the players dictate when a starter is named

Harrison Bailey, Hendon Hooker, Brian Maurer and Joe Milton are the four quarterbacks vying for the Vols’ starting job. Bailey totaled 578 yards and four touchdowns in limited action with Tennessee last season. Maurer only attempted six passes and added 41 yards rushing. Hooker has thrown for 2,894 yards and 22 touchdowns in two seasons at Virginia Tech. Milton joins the Vols after three seasons at Michigan, where he attempted 152 passes, totaling 1,194 yards.

The quarterback competition is wide open. Heupel adds that even if one starter is named, other quarterbacks could still find roles in the offense.

“I anticipate us having a starter during the course of week one, for sure,” Heupel said in his opening fall camp media day last week. “That doesn’t mean the other guys won’t have opportunities to share roles. I think it’s the challenge for every player to earn the trust of the coaching staff and show that they’re going to compete at a consistent and championship level. Once kids do that, I think it’s important that you as a coaching staff put them in position to have an opportunity to have a role and play a part of what you’re doing.

“Quarterbacks, just like every other position, those competitive battles that they’re in, you dwindle the reps down and make decisions when guys have shown that they’ve earned the opportunity to become a one or become a two or become a three based on how they perform. And so, as we go through training camp, the players will dictate how that unfolds.”

Despite competition, Heupel believes multiple quarterbacks could play

Traditionally, a team has one starting quarterback and he plays the majority of the snaps. Some teams, though, opt to have multiple players playing versatile roles from the position. Heupel says that it is important to continue development throughout the entire season.

“For the quarterbacks, they’re going to earn their role as they go through training camp,” Heupel said. “I anticipate us having a (single) starter; it doesn’t mean that other guys won’t have an opportunity to play. And what that looks like is dictated by the performance in the course of training camp, and where you feel like collectively and individually that group lies. If you look at our track record, we typically had a starter, but other guys have had situational roles that have been a big part of our success. I don’t think at any position, the strength of the position can just be one guy. I know that’s unique with a quarterback that there typically is one guy. But I think you’ve got to continually develop that room.”

Heupel went on to say that rebuilding Tennessee’s culture would be one of the most important parts of the preseason.

“As far as team activities – building a culture, one of connection and love inside of our building – that certainly was really important here. It was one of the two things that I took away from my initial team meeting with them. They felt like was missing here and something that was really important to them. I think who I am and what I’m about. Inside of the culture of the building, we’ve hired staff that is wired that way, too.

“It was important for us that we work really hard, we compete really hard every single day. But at the same time, you can enjoy the people that you’re working with. And I think it’s important to create opportunities outside of the game to share and grow and learn who your teammates and your staff are. We’ve done that in other places. Certainly, you guys have seen we put a ton of time and energy into that all spring and then this summer as well.”

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