With the departure of Nico Iamaleava, the Tennessee Volunteers are nonetheless scrambling for one more quarterback, however will they discover one?
On Wednesday, On3’s Pete Nakos reported that TCU QB Josh Hoover is not getting into the switch portal. The sophomore was considered as a possible substitute for Iamaleava, who left this system after a NIL (name, image and likeness) dispute.
Hoover might have been an improve over Iamaleava. In 13 video games in 2024, the TCU star completed seventh within the FBS in passing yards (3,949) and tied for sixteenth in landing passes (27).
Iamaleava, in the meantime, tossed 19 TD passes and threw for two,616 yards in 13 video games. Nevertheless, he confronted stiffer competitors within the SEC and led the Volunteers to their first Faculty Soccer Playoff look.
Redshirt freshman Jake Merklinger assumed beginning QB duties in Tennessee’s spring sport after Iamaleava left. In keeping with Rivals’ Noah Taylor, Merklinger accomplished 6-of-15 passes for 84 yards and two scores.
Freshman backup QB George MacIntyre completed 12-of-15 passing for 123 yards and three touchdowns, however Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel might not really feel comfy rolling with a 19-year-old as his starter.
Heupel might not have one other alternative, although. Lots of the prime QBs within the 2025 switch portal have already enrolled. Former Georgia QB Carson Beck signed with Miami, whereas former Washington State QB John Mateer signed with Oklahoma.
Tennessee might backslide if it has inexperienced QBs on the helm in 2025. However will the fan base go simple on Heupel if the Volunteers battle?
“Everyone’s saying, hey, good job, Tennessee, making a stand. I’ve obtained a bit touch upon that,” former Florida/Ohio State coach City Meyer stated on a Wednesday episode of “The Triple Option” podcast. “Tennessee performs Florida normally yearly in October. Are you able to think about the sport’s going the opposite manner, and Josh Heupel grabs a microphone and stands on the 50-yard line in Neyland Stadium and says, ‘Hey, I made a stand manner again when.'”
It is simple to know why Heupel needed to ship a message when he moved on from Iamaleava. Nevertheless, the coach should understand that the transfer has possible left him and not using a clear reply at QB.
