Heupel addresses bowl prep, player movement, and the evolving quarterback situation as the Volunteers aim for a strong finish to the season.
Tennessee football head coach Josh Heupel is a game away from finishing up his fifth season with the Vols.
Despite a rather ugly finish to the regular season, which resulted in a home loss to Vanderbilt 45-24, Heupel spoke to the media on Thursday, praising the preparations the team has made for the matchup against Illinois on Dec. 30.
“It has been really good,” Heupel said. “Practices, as we’ve gotten into our preparation, have been really good, and we look forward to finishing that up before we get a little break for Christmas.”
As has become the trend in the month of December for recent years, there has been a lot of movement around the league in terms of coaches and players moving from one home to the next.
As of now, the most notable transfer out for the Vols remains backup quarterback Jake Merklinger.
Merklinger played in four games this 2025 season. He attempted 24 passes while completing 13, good for a completion rate of 54%. He added two touchdown passes as well during the ETSU match earlier in the season.
“Yeah, I think it’s like your entire roster where there are moving pieces,” Heupel said. “And Jake made a choice that he felt was right for him, and we support him. Jake has been a great teammate while he has been here, and grown and competed. Obviously, George (MacIntyre) will be the No. 2 going into the bowl game.”
Heuepel anticipates this roster to be set for the Bowl Game, though. Chris Brazzell II and Arion Carter remain the two most notable opt-outs for the game, as both have declared for the NFL Draft.
“Pretty set right now with guys that are out there practicing and getting ready to go play in this one,” Heupel said. “A couple of guys are still making decisions on their futures and getting information. At the end of the day, as guys go through that, for us, for me, and then for them, it’s always about making the right decision for them, their future, their career, their families, and giving them good information.”
MacIntyre is an interesting case, and could very well be in the conversation for starter next season, depending on what the Vols decide to attack in the portal. Ranked a four-star recruit out of High school, there’s a lot of potential within his 6-foot-6, 195-pound frame.
“Yeah, just continued growth and understanding it," Heupel said of MacIntyre's learning process. "As simple as receiving a signal and being able to communicate. His command of what we’re doing, decision-making. He’s had good bowl preparation here as well. So, look forward, as we continue to get closer to the game day and continue to take steps.”
Tennessee has been rather quiet about what their plans are after this season at quarterback, but with the departure of Merklinger, that opens the room for a transfer to possibly make his way in.
“I think you have to be honest in today’s landscape," Heupel said. "And I think that’s so that your players trust you consistently. And ultimately, information is readily available to everybody, too. So I think being transparent and open in those lines of communication is really important. And that’s not just transfer portal season, it’s legitimately at every phase of what you’re doing."
It’s only fair to assume there would be growing pains if MacIntyre, or even true-freshman five-star recruit Faizon Brandon, were to be named the starter next season. So logistically, the Vols may be in the market for a veteran type of guy.