In the grand scheme of things, what’s a few more days?
Tennessee first-year football coach Josh Heupel in a Monday morning news conference did not announce the starting quarterback for next Thursday night’s season opener against Bowling Green inside Neyland Stadium. Monday was the only media availability for Heupel this week, though he is scheduled to be on “Vol Calls” Wednesday night.
“No decisions have been made,” Heupel said. “Those guys have been great and continue to compete, and we’ll see where we’re at here at the end of this week.”
Sophomore Harrison Bailey, who started the final three games last season, has been vying with Virginia Tech graduate transfer Hendon Hooker and Michigan grad transfer Joe Milton in recent days for the starting opportunity. Redshirt sophomore Brian Maurer began preseason camp in the mix but had his repetitions reduced in practice and opted to enter the NCAA transfer portal.
Heupel addressed Maurer’s departure for the first time, saying, “I just had a conversation with him of where we were at during that point of training camp. Ultimately he decided he wanted a different opportunity for his future, and we wish him nothing but the best.”