Tennessee Football: Josh Heupel’s first task is finding a quarterback

Heupel has had success with quarterbacks in the past. 

The most important priority for Heupel and the Volunteers is the quarterback. Tennessee football has been mediocre at the quarterback position for a decade.

Arguably, the last difference-maker Tennessee had to play quarterback was Eric Ainge in 2007. The modern game dictates that if a program has a high ceiling, it needs elite quarterback play. For the Volunteers to get back in the thick of things in the SEC East, the quarterback position needs to be priority one.

This is the positive of hiring Heupel. The former All-American at Oklahoma has a reputation for developing solid quarterbacks.

Early in his coaching career at Oklahoma, Heupel developed Heisman trophy winner and number one overall pick in the NFL draft, Sam Bradford. While a member of the Missouri coaching staff, Heupel assisted in turning Drew Lock into a first-round draft pick.

While at UCF, Heupel turned Dylan Gabriel from a prospect who only had an offer from Army to an all-conference quarterback for the Knights. There are quarterbacks currently on the Volunteers’ roster. Are any of them capable of playing next level, elite football? It remains to be seen. If anyone can get the most of the quarterbacks in Knoxville, it’s Heupel.