ESPN Ranks Tennessee's QB Situation Moving Forward

The worldwide leader in sports ranked the top programs for quarterback play, both in the present and for the future. The Tennessee Volunteers found themselves on the list.

The worldwide leader in sports ranked the top programs for quarterback play, both in the present and for the future. The Tennessee Volunteers found themselves on the list.

The University of Tennessee has been a stable for talented quarterbacks since they hired head coach Josh Heupel. The Vols have sent both quarterbacks under Heupel to the professional level, barring the draft status of quarterback Joe Milton III this offseason. They signed California blue-chipper Nico Iamaleava in 2023, landed talented Georgia gunslinger Jake Merklinger in 2024, and brought home the in-state crown jewel in 2025, George MacIntyre.

They've recruited through the transfer portal and out of the high school ranks at a high level. The position seems to be in good hands moving forward in Knoxville, Tennessee, and ESPN recognized their efforts in a recent feature piece. ESPN senior writer Adam Rittenburg ranked the top universities by quarterback play and Tennessee checked in as the No. 12 program on the list.

"Since coach Josh Heupel arrived, Tennessee ranks No. 3 nationally in scoring and eighth in total QBR. The Vols are going through a quarterback change for the second straight season, but Heupel's recent track record with quarterbacks, both at Tennessee and elsewhere, suggests little to no backsliding. His next task is maximizing the talent of Nico Iamaleava, the prized recruit from California who appeared in five games last season, accounting for four touchdowns (3 rush, 1 pass) against Iowa in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl. Iamaleava, ESPN's No. 23 recruit in the 2023 class, still has all four seasons of eligibility left. Veteran reserve Gaston Moore returns to Knoxville, although he has only 17 career pass attempts in college. Navy Shuler also is back for a final season. Despite the excitement about Iamaleava as a multiyear option, Tennessee has continued to recruit well at quarterback. Freshman Jake Merklinger is enrolled early and on campus, giving the Vols an ESPN top-200 recruit from Georgia. Tennessee also has a 2025 commitment from in-state standout George MacIntyre, ESPN's No. 57 prospect in the class. Heupel's offense will continue to be a major selling point for quarterbacks in high school and in the portal."

Tennessee Volunteers QB Nico Iamaleava during his official visit to Tennessee. (Photo courtesy of Nico Iamaleava)

ESPN's Top Programs For Quarterbacks

1. Ohio State
   
2. Texas
3. Oregon
4. USC
5. Georgia
6. Alabama
7. Ole Miss
8. Notre Dame
9. LSU
10. Arizona
11. Oklahoma
12. Tennessee
13. Florida State
14. Utah
15. Kansas
16. Penn State
17. Missouri
18. Miami
19. Michigan
20. Kansas State
21. SMU
22. Washington
23. USF
24. Clemson
25. Louisville

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