George MacIntyre ‘answers the call’ to be a Volunteer
In front of family, friends and fans, Brentwood Academy quarterback George MacIntyre made it official on Monday morning. Tennessee has always been the constant in his recruitment and for him, playing for his home state team was a calling and special.
“I think from the moment I stepped on campus I had an idea that it was the place for me. Really the last couple of months coach Heupel and his staff have definitely confirmed that. There’s no place I would rather be than Knoxville.”
His relationship with Josh Heupel was a huge part of his decision. Those two would just hangout every time he came to campus. It was more than just coach and player. There is a real bond between the two and it started from the moment Heupel started recruiting MacIntyre.
“He is a very personable guy,” MacIntyre said. “We have been around each other a lot ever since they started recruiting me more than a year ago. He has come to our school a lot and I’ve come here a lot so we have been around each other for sure.
“Coach Heupel, I feel like he has brought the swagger back to Tennessee for sure. I think they have recruited well. It has been impressive to see what he has done in a short amount of time.”
And Heupel’s history with quarterbacks definitely shined through when he thought about the football side of his decision.
“He never put like a full court press on me with his words in recruiting. He kind of did it with his actions. I like coach Heup a lot. We are similar. He was a quarterback. The big thing for me going in is that I know he has been there and done that. He’s been a Heisman finalist. He’s been a great coach for a while. Coach Heupel is definitely a very big part of my commitment.”
Just a few years ago, MacIntyre probably didn’t see himself in orange because the state of the program, but he has watched Heupel instill confidence and a championship type metal on Rocky Top.
“I think being around the program more, you see how they win and how they lose,” MacIntyre said. “You see how they handle wins and how they handle losses and from being here they are very mellow. They are kinda tunnel vision. They are still the same even though the outcome may be different.”
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So what is Tennessee getting in G-Mac?
“I think they are getting a leader,” MacIntyre said. “Someone who can go win the game if we are down seven with forty seconds left.”
Monday, MacIntyre announced his college choice in front of his friends and his family as he continues on a Vol tradition for a third generation.
“It’s definitely big. I’m going to be a third generation Tennessee student. My mom went there. My grandfather has a degree from there as well. It feels great to be able to announce it in front of everybody. This is the way I envisioned doing it since I got recruited.
“I think my friends are happy for me. A lot of them are Tennessee fans. Hopefully a lot of people in the state are excited today as well.”
The Big Orange faithful is definitely excited as Josh Heupel has landed his quarterback for the class of 2025.
MacIntrye’s press conference announcement
“I’ve been blessed with so many great opportunities to fulfill my dream of playing college football,” MacIntyre said when announcing his decision. “And I’m grateful for every one of them. But there has always been one place close to my heart and it’s where I was born to play football. It’s where I learned about faith. It’s where I learned about the importance of family and community. From Nashville to Knoxville, the Mississippi to the Smokies, there is just something special about Tennessee. This isn’t a decision. It’s a calling and Volunteers answer the call. Rocky Top, I’m staying home. Home sweet home.”
