George MacIntyre had pictures of himself as a child wearing Tennessee gear in his commitment video. He even wore a basketball jersey in the video.
It has been a while since a five-star quarterback wanted to stay home and play for Tennessee.
In fact, MacIntyre could become the first Tennessee native to start a full season for the Vols since Andy Kelly in the early 1990s. Knoxville native Todd Helton also started for Tennessee at quarterback, but just for a trio of games before choosing to pursue baseball.
MacIntyre, out of Brentwood Academy in middle Tennessee, can buck the trend.
“There’s always been one place close to my heart,” MacIntyre said in his commitment video. “It’s where I learned about family and faith and it’s where I was born to play football.
“From Nashville to Knoxville, from the Mississippi to the Smokies — there’s just something special about Tennessee. This isn’t a decision. It’s a calling. And Volunteers answer the call. Rocky Top, I’m staying home.”
MacIntyre becomes the second five-star quarterback commitment for Josh Heupel and the third blue-chip quarterback. The five-star macIntyre ranks as the No. 15 prospect overall and the No. 1 prospect from Tennessee by 247Sports Composite.
MacIntyre led Brentwood Academy to the 2022 state semifinals by throwing for 2,341 yards and 19 touchdowns. He ended his junior season in 2023 with 3,229 yards and 28 total touchdowns for Brentwood Academy. He holds 36 scholarship offer
MacIntyre can become the lead-recruiter for the 2025 class
Just like Nico Iamaleava was for the 2023 class, MacIntyre can become the face of the 2025 class. He can also become a peer-recruiter for the class.
It seems he has already begun.
MacIntyre has already begun targeting four-star athlete Cameron Sparks and five-star offensive lineman David Sanders Jr. as targets to join him in the 2025 class. The class ranks No. 9 overall by 247Sports following MacIntyre’s commitment.
Some top wide receivers targets will also begin to look at Tennessee differently with the future quarterback already in the bag. Some of those names could be Radarious Jackson and Caleb Cunningham.
Five-star receiver Mike Matthews committed to play with Iamaleava, and MacIntyre could have the same effect. MacIntyre will likely get a year behind Iamaleava before the offense is his to take over.
