Tennessee Football recruit loses fifth star in unexpected fall

Tennessee quarterback recruit, George MacIntyre falls more than 50 spots and loses his fifth star in On3's high school rankings.

Brentwood Academy quarterback George MacIntyre answers questions during new conference after committing to the University of Tennessee at Brentwood Academy on Monday, Jan. 22, 2024 in Brentwood, Tenn. MacIntyre is the number 3-ranked quarterback for the class 2025.
Brentwood Academy quarterback George MacIntyre answers questions during new conference after committing to the University of Tennessee at Brentwood Academy on Monday, Jan. 22, 2024 in Brentwood, Tenn. MacIntyre is the number 3-ranked quarterback for the class 2025. | Mark Zaleski / The Tennessean / USA

From 16th to 74th. This was the falls of Tennessee 2025 Tennessee quarterback commit George MacIntyre in the On3 recruiting rankings that just released a few days ago. The highly touted recruit out of Brentwood Academy in Nashville, Tennessee committed to his home state Vols over the Alabama Crimson Tide who were presumed to be the other main competitor for the prospect.

Why did George MacIntyre’s ranking fall?

It is pretty eye-opening when a player falls that far whether it is during the high school football season or outside of it. The fact that games are not even going on right now however it even more eye-opening. The one theory I can point to is that MacIntyre has been struggling with a hand injury recently that could have affected his rankings.

George MacIntyre's hand injury: The hand injury caused MacIntyre to miss out on the Elite 11, which is a series of quarterback competitions across the country ever off season for the most elite quarterback prospects to showcase their skills. Not only did MacIntyre not get to show off his skill set, but other quarterbacks got to show theirs, most likely causing a recency bias of sorts when it came to comparing MacIntyre to others.

What are George MacIntyre’s high school stats?

During two seasons as the starting quarterback for Brentwood Academy, MacIntyre has thrown for 5.570 yards with 44 touchdowns and only 16 interceptions. The six foot six inch, 190 pound prospect looks the part, but will face some still competition if he indeed arrives in Knoxville in 2025.

What quarterbacks are on the Tennessee Volunteers Football team?

Nico Iamaleava: The main quarterbacks MacIntyre will be competing against are current redshirt freshman Nico Iamaleava, who is presumed to be the starter in 2024. If all goes as planned, Iamaleava will be entering his third year on campus when MacIntyre arrives.

Jake Merklinger: MacIntyre will also be going up against true freshman and four star recruit out of the 2024 recruiting class Jake Merklinger. Merklinger comes in highly recruited himself as the twelfth ranked quarterback overall in his class, so it is without a doubt that no matter what MacIntyre’s ranking is when his recruiting cycle concludes, he will have stiff competition in Knoxville that awaits.