While Tennessee’s quarterback competition for the 2026 season remains clouded by whether Joey Aguilar will receive an extra year of eligibility, the Volunteers continue to build for the future at that position.
The Vols received a commitment Wednesday from Derrick Baker, a 6-foot-2, 220-pounder at Milton High School in the Atlanta suburb of Alpharetta. Baker missed the overwhelming majority of his 2025 junior season after suffering ligament and tendon damage in his throwing wrist last August during a 20-13 opening loss to Buford in a game that was nationally televised by ESPN2.
Baker attended a camp at Tennessee last June, when he received the scholarship offer, and he also visited when the Vols lost to Oklahoma 33-27 in Neyland Stadium on Nov. 1. He told On3.com that Tennessee coach Josh Heupel and offensive coordinator Joey Halzle were both factors in his decision.
“Tennessee has always had an edge,” Baker said. “It’s just the relationship with Coach Halzle. I’ve been on the phone with him more than anybody else, especially when I was hurt and rehabbing. He was the first coach to come see me throw when I was cleared, and that meant a lot.
“I just feel like they offer the best development for me, and they are a perfect fit.”
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Baker, who transferred to Milton before his junior season from St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, is the nation’s No. 37 quarterback and the No. 539 overall prospect for the 2027 signing class, according to the 247Sports.com composite rankings. He also had offers from Auburn, Florida State, Indiana, Kentucky, Miami, Ohio State and Ole Miss, telling 247Sports that he picked the Vols over Florida State.
The Vols now have five commitments for the 2027 signing cycle, with Baker joining offensive tackle Princeton Uwaifo of Murfreesboro, defensive lineman Kadin Fife of Northwest Georgia’s Chattooga High School, cornerback Kamari Whitfield of Orlando, Florida, and linebacker JP Peace of Maryville. Peace is the grandson of former Tennessee coach Phillip Fulmer, who guided the Vols to a 152-52 record and the 1998 season’s national championship.
Searching again
Tennessee is down one assistant after cornerbacks coach Michael Hunter left this week for the NFL’s Los Angeles Rams.
(READ MORE: Vols announce three hires; Max Gilbert enters portal)
Hunter, who was hired by new Vols defensive coordinator Jim Knowles, was in Knoxville for only five weeks. The Vols are scheduled to begin spring practices March 16, with the Orange & White Game set for April 11.
Contact David Paschall at dpaschall@timesfreepress.com.