Teammates Notice Steady Progress From Quarterback George MacIntyre

Head coach Josh Heupel has not publicly declared George MacIntyre the starter, but inside the Tennessee locker room the sophomore quarterback's progress is apparently plain to see. MacIntyre's teammates say they have watched him grow each week, a view shared in comments from Braylon Staley and Nic Moore as the Volunteers move through the season.

That kind of endorsement matters at quarterback, where confidence from the players in the huddle often shows up before any official announcement from the coaching staff. MacIntyre, who wears No. 12, has been pictured celebrating with offensive lineman Sam Pendleton after a play during Tennessee's game against Auburn on October 3 in Knoxville, one of the moments along the way in his sophomore campaign.

For Tennessee, steady growth at the position would be welcome as the schedule continues. Whether or not Heupel changes his public stance, the message from teammates is that MacIntyre is developing week by week, and that development will shape how the Volunteers' offense is viewed the rest of the way.