Favorable SEC schedule makes Tennessee football's QB search more urgent | Adams (2025)

As Tennessee football tries to solidify its quarterback situation after the departure of Nico Iamaleava, its schedule provides a sense of urgency. The Vols have the SEC to thank for that.

The conference's permanent scheduling format remains a decision for another day. What day? Who knows?

The SEC is headed toward the second year of its interim schedule while everybody involved tries to figure out whether the conference would be better off with nine league games as opposed to the eight currently in place.

Its procrastination has worked to Tennessee’s advantage.

The interim schedule figured prominently in the Vols qualifying for the College Football Playoff last season. And it could again in 2025.

Tennessee won’t have to play CFP contenders LSU, Texas, Texas A&M or Ole Miss in 2025. But it will play Mississippi State, Kentucky, Vanderbilt and Arkansas – four teams that likely will be bunched near the bottom of the SEC standings.

When the conference finally gets around to finalizing a permanent scheduling format, the Vols will face stiffer competition, especially if the SEC adopts a nine-game league schedule.

It now needs to capitalize on a beneficial conference schedule, which makes its search for Iamaleava’s replacement more pressing. And it must look beyond its current roster.

That’s not a statement on the competence of its other two scholarship quarterbacks – Jake Merklinger, who played sparingly last season as a freshman, or freshman George MacIntyre. Both were four-star recruits.

However, UT needs to think short term, because of its scheduling opportunity. Translation: It needs an experienced quarterback who can lead the Vols to the College Football Playoff, as Iamaleava did last season.

Even though Tennessee wasn’t willing to meet Iamaleava’s NIL demands, it might not object to overpaying for a transfer quarterback.

NFL teams make decisions like that all the time. They will spend more in the short term if they believe their team is equipped for a playoff run. If their roster isn’t as well fortified, they invest in the future and spend accordingly.

The Vols are hardly set at every position, particularly on offense. But you don’t need an All-SEC candidate at every position with a schedule as accommodating as this one. Tennessee still has playoff potential with the right quarterback.

Because of that playoff potential, I was surprised the Vols didn't part with more NIL money to land a proven wide receiver when the portal opened in December. Not only do they lack depth at that position. There's no obvious star player who might demand special attention from an opposing secondary.

There's still time for that, though. The transfer portal will open for business Wednesday, and Iamaleava won't be the only new addition.

Of course, quarterback remains Tennessee's No. 1 concern. And its options are limited.

The SEC doesn't allow players to transfer to another SEC school during the spring portal window unless they sit out a year.

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Tennessee's choices also could be limited by the offense it runs. A transfer quarterback wouldn't have an opportunity to acclimate to Josh Heupel's offense in the spring. So, it would be advantageous to sign a quarterback familiar with an up-tempo, spread offense.

Another factor working against Tennessee: Established starting quarterbacks might be reluctant to make a move this late.

Maybe, the Vols could overcome that reluctance with a better offer. And they now have more NIL money to spend.

That was Iamaleava's parting gift.

John Adams is a senior columnist. He may be reached at 865-342-6284 or john.adams@knoxnews.com. Follow him at: twitter.com/johnadamskns.

This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Favorable SEC schedule makes Tennessee football QB search more urgent