LATEST NEWS: Tennessee signed a five-star in-state quarterback in Alabama…
George MacIntyre, a five-star quarterback who plays at Brentwood (Tenn.) Academy, committed to Tennessee on Monday morning.MacIntyre is ranked No. 15 overall and the No. 3 quarterback in the Class of 2025 in the 247Sports Composite. He chose Tennessee over Alabama.Eight of the top 10 quarterbacks — including all three five-stars — in the Class of 2025 have already issued a commitment.MacIntyre is the nephew of FIU coach Mike MacIntyre and the grandson of former Vanderbilt coach George MacIntyre.
What does it mean for Tennessee?
Beyond what it could eventually mean on the field for the Vols, it’s always nice to have a heralded quarterback serving as another recruiter for months before the summer camp season hits. The Vols had five commitments before MacIntyre decided, led by four-star Texas tight end Jack VanDorselaer.
MacIntyre could help sway other prospects, and he represents another win in Nashville, which continues to improve as a source of high-level talent. Coach Josh Heupel signed a total of eight mid-state recruits in the 2023 and 2024 classes. — Joe Rexrode, Tennessee senior
How does MacIntyre fit into the QB mix?
MacIntyre is timing things up to potentially have the same kind of transition as the Vols’ starting quarterback for 2024. Five-star quarterback Nico Iamaleava was able to sit and learn behind starter Joe Milton last fall, then showed in a Citrus Bowl win over Iowa that he’s ready to take over in 2024. MacIntyre’s freshman season should be Iamaleava’s second as a starter — potentially his last, if everything comes together and he’s ready for the 2026 NFL Draft.
That could set MacIntyre up to take over as a sophomore. Of course, there’s no certainty on Iamaleava’s trajectory. And there’s another QB in the mix, 2024 four-star signee Jake Merklinger. Things rarely go exactly as expected at this position in college football. — Rexrode
Required reading
- Nico, Nico, Nico! Vols’ rout of Iowa shows off the freshman QB, but he’ll need more help
- Class of 2025 recruiting primer: Fast starts for Georgia, Alabama, Notre Dame … and SMU
(Photo: Jeremy Reper / USA Today
