Heupel: No decision yet on Quarterback battle

Game week is now officially under a week away, and we still don’t have an answer on Tennessee’s starting quarterback — as expected. Josh Heupel met with the media on Monday morning and wasn’t quite ready to declare a winner just yet.

“No decisions have been made,” Heupel said today. “Those guys have been great, continue to compete. We’ll see where we’re at here at the end of this week.”

Reports and media buzz have suggested that Michigan transfer Joe Milton has emerged ahead of the rest, taking snaps with the first team last week. The development isn’t all that surprising, considering offensive coordinator Alex Golesh’s glowing comments about Milton to open camp.

Heupel won’t meet with the media again this week, so don’t expect any news until next week. Heupel suggested that he would name a starter during game week, and he’ll have a chance to do that during his next press conference next week.

Brian Maurer has already exited the battle, entering the transfer portal last week. That leaves Hendon Hooker and Harrison Bailey as the other options outside of Milton, each bringing something different to the table as players.

“Once we’ve had a guy that has earned it and proven it in some respects, not just to the staff, but to their teammates, then you’re able to announce a guy,” Heupel said. “I think our football team has great trust in all three of those guys, the way they’ve competed and have continued to grow and gotten better. When we’re ready to name a guy, we will.”