The Tennessee Volunteers are no longer moving forward with only two quarterbacks on scholarship.
That shortage was remedied Sunday afternoon when the Vols received a commitment from Ryan Staub, who has spent the past three seasons at Colorado. The 6-foot-1, 200-pounder from Stevenson Ranch, California, started the 2023 season finale against Utah and the third game last season against Houston.
Staub, who visited Tennessee on Saturday night, has two seasons of eligibility remaining.
“I think I bring experience, IQ and a guy who’s going to add to the room in any way,” Staub told 247Sports.com. “I’m coachable. I can improve, and I’m excited to see where my ability will take me.”
Tennessee on Sunday also landed former Colorado cornerback Isaiah Hardge, who was also a redshirt sophomore this past season. The 5-10, 165-pounder from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, played in nine games for the 3-9 Buffaloes, compiling 14 tackles, one tackle for loss and one fumble recovery.
The Vols had discussions with some of the top quarterbacks in this transfer portal cycle, most notably Brendan Sorsby, Sam Leavitt and Beau Pribula, but those players wound up going elsewhere.
Staub will be the elder statesmen of a Tennessee quarterback room that will include redshirt freshman and former Brentwood Academy standout George MacIntyre and five-star early enrollee Faizon Brandon out of Greensboro, North Carolina. This past season’s starter for the Vols, Joey Aguilar, is still seeking an extra year of NCAA eligibility, while Jake Merklinger, who served as Aguilar’s backup, recently committed to Connecticut.
As a Colorado freshman in 2023, Staub played in three games and completed 17 of 24 passes for 195 yards, with his one touchdown pass going to Travis Hunter. He played in four contests in 2024 but got only 20 total snaps as the backup to Shedeur Sanders.
Staub played in five games this past season, completing 30 of 55 passes for 427 yards with three touchdowns and four interceptions.
Carter returning
Linebacker Arion Carter, who declared for the NFL draft last month and recently withdrew to enter the transfer portal, has now decided to return to the Vols for his senior season.
Carter bypassed Tennessee’s loss to Illinois in the Music City Bowl after leading the Southeastern Conference during the regular season with 7.6 tackles per game.
Contact David Paschall at dpaschall@timesfreepress.com.