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Josh Heupel, Tennessee weighing change at QB

By Thomson Reuters Oct 5, 2026 | 12:04 PM

By Field Level Media

Oct 05 (Field Level Media) – Tennessee coach Josh Heupel wants a little more time to weigh whether ​Faizon Brandon or George MacIntyre give ‌the Vols the best chance to beat Arkansas.

Heupel said Monday there is no guarantee Brandon, a five-star freshman who started the first five games this ‌season, ​will stay in that ⁠role.

“We’ll find out as ⁠the week goes here,” Heupel said Monday. “George came in and did some really good things. Faizon obviously wasn’t at his best (due ​to injuries) affecting his game.”

No. 15 Tennessee (4-1, 1-1 Southeastern Conference) goes on the ⁠road in the SEC for ⁠the first time this season ​on Saturday at Arkansas.

Heupel benched Brandon in the ​second quarter without a single passing yard ‌in what became a 24-14 win over Auburn last week. He was sacked 10 times in the Volunteers’ 20-17 loss to Texas ⁠on Sept. 26 and appeared to injure his right shoulder in the loss.

Yet Heupel did not ⁠list Brandon ‌on the injury report ahead of ⁠the Auburn game and disagreed ​that ‌health was a factor in the ​loss to ⁠the Longhorns.

But he did begin giving MacIntyre first-team reps in practice. MacIntyre completed 8 of 10 passes for 86 yards. He was sacked once and threw no touchdowns or interceptions.

(–Field ​Level Media)