Tennessee 5-star QB commit George MacIntyre embracing role as lead recruiter

Tennessee earned its second commitment in three cycles from a five-star quarterback prospect when George MacIntyre gave his pledge to the Vols in January. It was another recruiting coup for Josh Heupel and Co., not only because they beat out Alabama and a number of others, but also because of what MacIntyre meant to their class.

He’s the top prospect in the state of Tennessee this cycle, and him being on board gives the Vols a major piece to build around. And like his predecessor, Nico Iamaleava, MacIntyre has embraced his role as an extra recruiter for Tennessee in both the 2025 and 2026 classes.

He was in town over the weekend — a short trip from Nashville — when elite wide receiver target Jaime Ffrench came to campus. And he’ll be a regular visitor back to Rocky Top throughout the spring and summer as the Vols look to add to their class.

“For a kid that’s kind of shy in a lot of ways with a certain group, he is very vocal in the recruiting game,” Volquest recruiting insider Austin Price said on Wednesday. “He works it hard. And it’s not just receivers, it’s not just offensive players, it’s defensive players, too. He does a really nice job of connecting with other players. This guy is routinely talking to a five-star wide receiver here, a five-star wide receiver there, five-star offensive tackle, four-star safety. And he’ll be back in town this weekend again. It’s an easy trip over from Nashville, so he’ll right back over here doing more recruiting.”

5-star OT David Sanders Jr. is a top target for MacIntyre

Arguably the top player on his wishlist is the one who would be protecting his blindside: Charlotte (N.C.) Providence Day offensive tackle David Sanders Jr. The two have developed a strong connection while visiting multiple schools together, and he’s one target George will always come to Knoxville with, including for next month’s spring game.

“George is setting up a little tent here on campus, and he’s working,” Price added.

And it wasn’t just MacIntyre trying to get Sanders to commit to the Vols. The two have developed a genuine friendship over the course of the past year.

“A lot of people think we (me and George) started talking when he committed to Tennessee. But that’s been one of my good friends for a little over six months,” Sanders told Volquest in February. “We play Fortnite and Madden, and I think I have a good relationship with him. Take Tennessee out of it, just us and our friendship is really good as a whole. We text occasionally, not even anything having to do with football, just checking up on each other. And I was very happy when he committed to Tennessee because I think he fits perfect in their offense. And he’s going to make them very, very good.”

Like MacIntyre, Heupel and offensive line coach Glen Elarbee have also connected with him on a personal level, and he loves their demeanor and coaching style, as well as the way they’ve recruited him.

“They do an amazing job recruiting me,” he said. “They reach out to me but it’s not overwhelmingly reaching out. … Coach Elarbee and Coach Heupel text me every morning to tell me they hope I have a good day at school. Just little things like that go a long way.”